When I was growing up, I used to travel back to India on occasion to see the large percentage of my family that still resides there. I distinctly remember going to my uncles house and having to walk a short distance outdoors to get to the shower. (Yeah, I guess that’s kinda like an outhouse, but it seemed much larger than an outhouse and the facility to bathe oneself was the goal of the small shelter).
Back then, I must have thought it was a huge hassle but now as I think back to those wonderful mornings and breathing the fresh air outside on the way to the shower, I remember how clean everything felt. Of all things, I especially remember smelling the glycerine soap that used to be (and perhaps still is) popular there, Pears.
You can imagine my shock and excitement when I saw Pears bar soaps in a Chicago Walgreen’s a few months ago. I bought several bars to stock up, but when I went back recently to replenish my stock, I was told they were all out of bars. They were, in fact, discontinuing the bars because not many people were buying them. Geez. You people don’t know what you’re missing.
Instead, they had this Pears Shower gel. I picked up the package and thought it was pretty unique. There’s a hook built into the lid so I can hang it right in my shower. This old, has-been brand had the gumption and the pizzazz to create a cool new form factor and packaging. Okay, I realize this isn’t terribly innovative, but it is a little shocking that other more well recognized brands didn’t come up with this idea first. All the other shower gels out there sit on the shelf get knocked off while the Pears stays.
So, maybe I’m just taking a page out of Sriram’s book here and enjoy taking pictures in the shower.












I definitely remember this as well Ash. It’s funny how select memories (especially smells for me) trigger these nostalgic moments. Along with Pears, I get similarly nostalgic for Mysore Sandalwood soap, another south indian staple which can still be found online and is some indian stores.
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