I spent many years abroad, traveling a great deal, but nowhere did I find a chip that could even vaguely match the crispness or deliver the gratification of a genuine Wise potato chip. When I finish a bag, I wipe it with licked fingers to get every last crumb. I have a special affection for the crumbs which goes back to 1977 when I left the States for 24 years.
In the other countries where I lived, there were only the palest imitations of my true-love chip and so I was reduced to begging favors from my nearests and dearests. From Uncle Dickie in Vermont to Marni the Diva in California – and many friends in between, I asked them to buy me bags of chips and ship them to me – whether I was living in the Middle East or in Europe.
I had a methodology and provided detailed instructions. In order to keep down the bulk, I had them prick the bag with a pin and squeeze out the air. Then they placed a strip of cellotape over the holes in the bag so that it was airtight again. They stuffed as many airless bags as possible in a small box or big envelope and sent them off. My delivery was generally a bag of crumbs, which I would eat by dipping my licked finger into the crumbs.
I have had many moments in life stressing out about what would happen to me if Wise went out of business. Now that I have discovered their proud union, I can transform that worry from narcissistic concern over junk snacks to a show of standing shoulder to shoulder with UFCW 1776. Solidarity forever!
Your union loyalty is much admired, not faulted for being deleterious to your health. Say what others will (like your M.D.), I appreciate your personal sacrifice.
Shirley
Posted by: Shirley Moskow | 14 October 2012 at 21:25
Thank you beloved union sister! It is the least I can do.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 14 October 2012 at 21:54
Your body clearly knew they were union before te facts found you
Posted by: Oona | 14 October 2012 at 21:56
Now THAT is an interesting conjecture. Have your mother's fruit pies been unionized by any chance?
Posted by: Sue Katz | 14 October 2012 at 22:28
Cape Cod potato chips are made in Hyannis. Support local small business. And they are MUCH BETTER than Wise. (Just my opinion. Please don't unfriend me on Facebook because of this comment. I like unions, too.)
Posted by: Allen Young | 14 October 2012 at 22:30
Allen, you're a brave man. I know you like to go out on limb and you like to challenge, but step away from my WISE!
Posted by: Sue Katz | 14 October 2012 at 22:38
Potato crisps (as chips are known in England) are always my diet downfall. Healthy diet commentators always maintain that you can change your food longings and forget the lure of salty, greasy food if you stay on the straight and narrow long enough. Not me, and I've been on the straight and narrow successfully many many times - one small packet of the forbidden crisps and I've fallen. When in the US I too love a Wise crisp. (Here I have a 2nd-best favourite, which is probably still produced by a unionised company.) In the USA I have to fight a rear guard struggle against the Cape Cod as it's the chip of choice for my American family. I'm on the straight and narrow at this moment - sigh. This posting has me longing.
Posted by: Sue O'Sullivan | 15 October 2012 at 02:57
Oh Sue, I never meant to tease you with this little piece. I do like to tease you, of course, but not around crisps! I think a few exceptions (bacon and toasted cheese come to mind for you) only emphasize your otherwise steel resolve.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 15 October 2012 at 06:38
Sorry Katz, but you just can't beat a packet of cheese-and-onion or roast-chicken Walkers crisps from the UK! I just hope they're union made.
Posted by: Gema Gray | 15 October 2012 at 06:51
Gema, you're much younger than me so your palate is more open-minded. I'm just a salt girl, period. To me all the "tastes" are new-fangled. But agree that Walkers makes a nice crisp.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 15 October 2012 at 07:14
To ease Gemma, and Sue's collective (pun intended) conscience - Walkers are these days owned by Pepsico (another brand to which I recall Ms Katz being inordinately loyal) and at least in the UK I believe that they do have union representation. Fortunately for me I'm immune to both salty greasy fried potato and brown, sweet carbonated water. Just as well as my other indulgences are legion.
Posted by: Mike Evans | 15 October 2012 at 09:37
Katz m'dear, I'm sure your union colleagues at Wise are gratified that they can count on your support when the chips are down.
Posted by: Charles Coe | 15 October 2012 at 11:46
Mike - it was Coke - never ever Pepsi - that I used to be strung out on (no more) and you must write us with a full, clear list of your "other indulgences" immediately. Stop teasing!
Posted by: Sue Katz | 15 October 2012 at 16:59
Charles, as always, my union brother, you are punderful.
Posted by: Sue Katz | 15 October 2012 at 17:00