Prologue:
I hate s_imran80….. Because he stole my thoughts on a couple of reviews, which I had planned to write, firstly the one on General thoughts on MS and then the Pepsi one. I had spent a few hours on the net accessing information about PepsiCo and I came back ready to file a review, only to find that Imran has already collected, edited and presented the review much before I could and in a much better way than I could. Then the controversy took over, while it was at its peak, I did say to myself “Thank God, he beat me to it”. Actually in my heart of heart I love s_imran80……
The Review
A lot has been written about all the colas including Pepsi and from all possible angles. So why am I even attempting to write this one. I know this review won’t make a “Coke Drinker” change to Pepsi neither am I a die hard “Pepsi fan”. So it finally boils down to the fact that I am writing this because I felt I should write one on Pepsi…and here it goes
Health Factor..?
Soft drinks are not health drinks neither do any of the soft drink companies in the market claim that their products are health drinks. So why on earth do some reviewer’s harp just on the health issues of drinking cola..? I even read a review that said try keeping your car in Pepsi for some days…. Oh my God… what a waste of Pepsi and what a waste of the car ( by the way a car will get spoiled even if it is left in milk for few days….but seriously I don’t know why any one would even attempt that).
Yes, cola drinking beyond a certain limit might be (according to some studies “will be”) harmful. For that matter everything is harmful when abused. If we are really health conscious then we should not commute by automobiles (they emit a lot of toxic gases including carbon monoxide). Even that is possible I guess, but just think of this, we might have to stop logging into MS.com as sitting in front of the PC for long times can cause exposure to harmful rays. What I am trying to state here is that most of what modern science has offered us has some negative effects, either we can “survive” like an ascetic or we can indulge in some “life” as long as we live. So I won’t even think of debating health issues here.
Taste:
This is surely a very individualistic aspect. Not all of us have similar taste preferences (fortunately). Amongst the cola’s available in the Indian market, I feel (strictly my opinion) that Pepsi is on the sweeter side while Coke has a drier finish. Thums up has a very harsh (almost bitter-sweet to me but STRONG to some) taste. The effervescence (the fizz or the Co2 content) is pretty balanced in Pepsi and Coke while with Thums Up it’s a bit too fizzy for my liking.
The Price and Availability Factor:
Well there is no distinguishing the three colas on this count. All three are priced similarly. They also come in all possible sizes and shapes with identical price tags. They also come up with exciting (read “kiddish” at times) offers and competitions. They are widely available in most parts of the country. Very rarely does one find a city or a part of it with shops, not stocking all of three of them. So equal points to all three colas on this count.
Thirst Quenching…?
Ha! That must be a joke…at least I have never had my thirst “quenched” by any of these colas. My strong opinion is that soft drinks are more refreshing (the sugar in them makes you feel better when you are tired), than thirst quenching. But then if you are thirsty and drink a soft drink, chances are that you will feel thirsty again after a very short gap. When I am really thirsty all I look for is some cold water (cold is not a necessity though). When I find water boring, I turn to fruit juices (also tender coconut or sugar cane juice….Yummy) or even biting into water melon when in season. Occasionally I do help myself to a soft drink, but even here Cola is my last option (believe me this is the only issue where I discriminate against black!!!).
Now with health, taste, price and availability as well as the thirst-quenching ability discussed, I don’t find any real reason to actually recommend Pepsi, but I have done just that. Why? Read on….
I feel that there are not just “tangible” benefits from buying a product; there are “intangible” ones too. Why would someone buy designer clothing for several thousands of rupees when a ordinary dress can be bought for a few hundred rupees. Why would someone eat a Sandwich at the Taj or the Leela for Rs.150 plus tax while the same can be had at restaurant on the other side of the street for just Rs.25? Well, to some extent it boils down to terms like brand image, self esteem and of course social status.
Brand Image:
I feel Pepsi has created a brand image that appeals to me. I identify with the youthfulness of its campaign (who wants to grow old?). I find its charismatic brand ambassadors appealing… especially Sachin (has to improve on his acting skills though) and the Big B. To me Pepsi comes across as a fierce competitor, the type that’s not averse to taking on competition head to head. Yes! It does involve itself in a little bit of gamesmanship…so what I do that too. But what Pepsi does not do (at least so far) is to fire from the shoulders of another person or take cover behind the allies, which unfortunately Coke does.
While projecting a “holier than thou” attitude with its own Ad campaigns it pays Pepsi back in its own currency through sprite and Thums Up campaigns. To me Coke will always be a reluctant front runner (Coke was the original Cola), whereas Pepsi the spirited underdog. I usually am with the underdogs.
Epilogue:
My second review on this site was on Thums Up by the title “Thumbs down” and that’s the only review of mine that’s not a HR one. I wanted to edit it and get it re-rated, but then I left it like that to remind myself, of what can go wrong with my reviews. One comment on that review stated that it was “hate” review against all colas while another comment stated that I was reviewing a product on the basis of “hear say”. Probably I did not express my views clearly on that review and probably that’s the reason why I embarked on this review.
To dispel all doubts, let me clarify that I do drink colas (occasionally - what’s life without a little variety), might be, not as much as some of the others, on this site do. But then when I do drink a cola (especially at parties) and when I have a choice, 7 out of 10 times I would pick a Pepsi. Not for health reasons, nor its price, not for its availability nor its thirst quenching abilities ….. I pick a Pepsi for the image it has established in my mind and probably because I have a liking for sweeter things in life….