Lunar Adventures: exploring a little bit of everything

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Fiji water — a square peg for round holes

I’m trying to increase my water intake, mainly because everyone seems to say it’s a good idea.  The problem is that I’m not a huge fan of drinking plain water, except after exercise or in certain moods — generally, I prefer some orange juice or apple juice or something.

Several people suggested I try Fiji water (and by “several people” I mean “several females”), because it tastes better.  I decided to take the recommendation.

I was driving by Whole Foods Market, and I figured as long as I was buying yuppie water for $0.99 cents for a small bottle, I might as well go all out and get it from a yuppie store like Whole Foods.  I bought a single bottle in the trademark Fiji light blue yet squarish bottle.  I got to my car, took a gulp, and decided that it tasted suspiciously like water.  It did have a bit less taste than most water I’ve had, probably because of fewer impurities or something.  But doggone it, I think I’m getting used to my impurities — I prefer other waters, I reckon.

But the dealbreaker for me is the squarish bottle.  As I started to drive out of the Whole Foods parking lot, I tried to put the Fiji bottle into my car’s cupholder.  But it was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole — literally.  Despite the bottle not being very big, the square shape ensured it didn’t fit into my cupholder.  Totally annoying.

I understand why the Fiji Water Company would want to have a unique design for their bottle, to make it recognizable.  And it doesn’t appear to be hurting their business.  But I feel it’s an example of form being placed above function unecessarily.  It’s a nice looking bottle.  But round bottles just make more sense sometimes, even if everyone else uses them.  Maybe I’m just overly practical sometimes, and a little old fashioned, but I like my bottles round.

Thu August 10th, 2006 7:00 pm

Filed under Advertising & Marketing, Life