Swoosh

Over the holiday weekend, we had to head over to our local Academy and buy Jonathan a pair of shoes for tennis.  Jonathan was happily trying on the Nike and Adidas shoes until he picked out the Nike's. His only regret was that he preferred the Nike's that had the green stripe, but they didn't come in his size.

 

A few minutes after making what we thought was our final selection, Fred happened upon more shoes to choose from.  A few Reebok's along with the cheaper Wilson shoes and the Academy brand for a low, low price.  Jonathan tried on the Wilson and Academy private label branded shoes and would quickly yell out that they didn't fit.  He would often yell out that they didn't fit long before he had them on his feet or before they were tied.  Fred was dutifully asking in what way they didn't fit, so that he could offer up different sizes.  However, I had figured out the game Jonathan was playing.

 

For the first time in Jonathan's 12 years, we were having to deal with brand awareness and brand loyalty.  I leaned over and asked him, "We aren't leaving here without those Nike's are we?"  He mumbled something about how they fit and felt so much better than all the others.  I gathered all the boxes up and gave them to Fred, so that we could put them away and explained that we were buying the Nike's.  For some reason, I really wanted Jonathan to have those shoes.  Maybe because I always wanted certain brands, but couldn't have them. 

 

Given the fact that we don't expect Jonathan to be a tennis pro, I should have made him leave with the off-brand shoes, but I didn't.  And, given the fact that we don't expect him to be a tennis pro is the very reason why Fred felt so strongly that Jonathan needed to leave with the cheap shoes!

 

And, let me tell you, all the way home we had to hear about the cost difference between the Nike's and the Tredz (who thought of that stupid name anyway).  Here's the thing, Fred is not loyal to any brand whatsoever!  He will buy a cheap pair of shoes and then get mad because they fell apart or can't figure out why his heal hurts while he is playing basketball.  He doesn't understand what it feels like to want to fit in or be cool.  This man happily drove his Dad's minivan at the age of 19.  He might be the only teenager ever pulled over in the city of Plano for racing a Ford Aerostar!

 

All I know for sure is that Fred told Jonathan that he had better use those shoes all year long and never complain about them one time!