I like to purchase a diet coke every now and then (and by "now and then" I mean that right now I am drinking one, and then a few hours later I will buy one on my way to school). And I've noticed lately that buying a diet coke is like a sign that you are in some sort of secret society. People, mostly women, give me these knowing looks and nods. Some even talk to me about it, calling me "honey" or "sister." I guess I never knew that I was a member of this club, but it makes me feel really special when I go to Target.
The last two times I have been to Target, in fact, women have spoken to me about my beverage of choice. A few months ago Kacy and I were walking along the aisles (probably discussing our blogs) and I stopped suddenly, turned sharply, and called out "sorry, it's an emergency" as I ran over to the fridge containing the coke products. Kacy laughed, and then a woman who was clearly eavesdropping said "honey, I understand. It IS an emergency! Let me get out of your way." I laughed and smiled, but inside I wondered "do I know you?"
Another time at Target I had just checked out and was about to walk away, when the cashier said "you forgot this" and she held up my diet coke. Then, the woman in line behind me--who had shown no signs of interest in me whatsoever--said "Oh, yeah, you don't want to forget THAT!" Smile, smile . . . wink, wink.
If you drink diet coke and you are a woman, it's like everywhere you go you have a sister in spirit, who is also sneaking away to Big Lots to buy the 20 ounce bottle for under a dollar (best deal in town!!). You share a secret knowledge of every good vending machine in the county. I feel like it is the younger version of those women who take that "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple" poem to heart and meet bi-annually to wear purple and red hats and wreak havoc on hotels and spas. Only we are the diet coke sisterhood: some of us may be ashamed, and unwilling to come out of the diet coke closet. Some of us would wear a banner and march in a parade if we could. And some of us (like me) don't even know we are in the club.
This is very true. I don't like diet coke, and because of it I have always been exluded from this club you don't even know you are in. But I've seen the smiles and the winks and the knowing glances and have wished there were a Coca-Cola Classic club I could join.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad, Marcy. You are in much better club known as the men's club. Men drink coke classic. And I think it behooves you to be in the men's club rather than the exhausted housewives club (i.e. the diet coke sisterhood).
ReplyDeleteAnnonymous is me.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Maybe it is good to be in the Brotherhood. I had never thought about it that way. I'll just have to get over the lack of smiles and winks and move on to high fives, arm punches, and butt slaps.
ReplyDeleteMAN! Another club that I'm just not in.
ReplyDeleteI gotta start liking me some Diet Coke.
Carly, how apropos that you should write this right now! This afternoon as I drove through the Wendy's drive thru, I, being a member of this sneaky club, ordered a diet coke. I always feel something when I get a diet coke. Not when I get a Coke, or another diet drink, but only the blessed Diet Coke. It's like my little covert rebellion. I don't even know why I like it so. . .
ReplyDeleteI suddenly became very thirsty...
ReplyDelete(This is where my husband would say, "No, it's not. It's Friday." Except it really IS Thursday, so he wouldn't be saying that. OK I'll stop now.)
Love your blog!
I believe the club exists for two reasons.
ReplyDelete#1-Only women drink Diet Coke. (That's not 100% true, but it's at least 89% true.)
#2-Because you're in Utah, and everyone knows you're not supposed to have caffiene, Diet Coke is contraband of choice.
Way to be a rebel.
Anonymous is me. Must be going around.
ReplyDeleteI am in your club...do you do flavored diet coke? For special occasions maybe?
ReplyDeleteAnd I am wary of men who drink too much diet coke. My friend's husband drinks so much of it that at their wedding, he requested it served in cans on ice in a huge bucket thingy. And his friend made him a groom's cake that looked like a can of diet coke... Not normal.