Here I am again, in a hotel, unable to get housekeeping to find me a box of Kleenex. Excuse me, a box of facial tissue. I have no idea which brand is provided by this hotel. This problem of the disappearing tissues is not unique to a hotel in a particular country; I always seem to be that one guest that gets the last six tissues in the box. I now pack the small tissue packages in my purse, in my computer bag, and in my suitcase, so I will never again need to use the (in hotels) typically not-so-soft toilet paper to blow my nose.
There have been debates for years about the use of a brand in writing. On the other hand, casual conversations cannot be regulated. The term “tissue,” in German “Papiertaschentuecher,” literally translated as “paper handkerchiefs,” is only one example. In the United States, Kleenex is synonymous with facial tissues. In Germany, the brand that has this distinction is Tempo.
Looking at the companys’ histories on their respective Web sites (ref: http://www.kleenex.com and http://www.tempo-web.de), the companies have had a remarkably similar history. Both started their path in the 1920’s, both were the first company in their respective countries to produce a facial tissue, both have used popular cartoon characters in their packaging as advertisement, and both have expanded their packaging options. Kleenex has managed to penetrate the European market more than Tempo has done in the Americas, but neither has lost its place in its home language.
On a more personal note, I grew up on the pocket packs in Germany. When my family moved to the US in the early seventies, these pocket packs were not prevalent, at least not in our supermarket or drug store. That led to carting around a large box of Kleenex in the back seat of the car, typically wedged between the back seat and the rear window. At the same time, during those long summer vacations in which we would visit Germany, we had trouble finding large boxes, so we purchased stacks and stacks of the pocket packs.
In the meantime, every color, aroma, lotion, and design are available, in all sizes and packages, on both sides. Maybe it is the power of suggestion, but I think I feel a sneeze coming on. Please pass me a Kleenex. Oops, I’m in Germany right now; please pass me a Tempo.
*Birgit
There have been debates for years about the use of a brand in writing. On the other hand, casual conversations cannot be regulated. The term “tissue,” in German “Papiertaschentuecher,” literally translated as “paper handkerchiefs,” is only one example. In the United States, Kleenex is synonymous with facial tissues. In Germany, the brand that has this distinction is Tempo.
Looking at the companys’ histories on their respective Web sites (ref: http://www.kleenex.com and http://www.tempo-web.de), the companies have had a remarkably similar history. Both started their path in the 1920’s, both were the first company in their respective countries to produce a facial tissue, both have used popular cartoon characters in their packaging as advertisement, and both have expanded their packaging options. Kleenex has managed to penetrate the European market more than Tempo has done in the Americas, but neither has lost its place in its home language.
On a more personal note, I grew up on the pocket packs in Germany. When my family moved to the US in the early seventies, these pocket packs were not prevalent, at least not in our supermarket or drug store. That led to carting around a large box of Kleenex in the back seat of the car, typically wedged between the back seat and the rear window. At the same time, during those long summer vacations in which we would visit Germany, we had trouble finding large boxes, so we purchased stacks and stacks of the pocket packs.
In the meantime, every color, aroma, lotion, and design are available, in all sizes and packages, on both sides. Maybe it is the power of suggestion, but I think I feel a sneeze coming on. Please pass me a Kleenex. Oops, I’m in Germany right now; please pass me a Tempo.
*Birgit
posted by Birgit Starmanns @ 6:28 AM
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