Letter to the Editor: Clarifying the cookie confusion
Regarding the column in Monday’s Opinion section about Girl Scout cookies, someone needs to help out disappointed Sean. Actually, most people from this area have never heard of Samoas, they are known regionally as Caramel deLites. It has been that way ever since I was a Brownie Scout 10 years ago and even before then. Also, Sean needs to know that, yes, the horrifying future he described has actually already been realized: His beloved Tagalongs have primarily been regionally known as Peanut Butter Patties.
Sean should not be worried, though. This is the way the Girl Scout Cookie Fundraiser has always worked. Cookies are named differently throughout the country: same cookies, just with varying names. Also, it is up to the specific councils to determine which cookies they want to sell. There was even an attempt to cover the market by selling cheese crackers; however, people learned to stick with the tradition of selling cookies.
I have conversations about all these stories and compare cookies and names with other people, even with many older family members reminiscing about their days of cookie sales. Sean needs to know that all is okay. As consumers of these wonderful cookies we should feel privileged to try new things and can become more literate by learning to use the names interchangeably; it really does allow for some good stories to share, especially over some good Girl Scout cookies and milk.
Jillian Alder
freshman, math major
