I already told this story on Twitter, but I don’t think anyone believed me, so I’ll tell it again.
Sophia’s mother asked me to pick up two things from her supermarket: mayonnaise and these sugar-free Werther’s candies that she likes to have while watching TV. I drove over and stopped at the supermarket near her home. I was unfamiliar with the layout of the store and I was in a rush. I had an appointment later that day. I approached a supermarket employee who was stocking boxes. He was a young, friendly-faced, college-aged kid.
“Where can I find mayonnaise?” I asked him.
“Aisle four! I’ll show you.” he replied, in that cheerful California “have a nice day” supermarket voice that you would never hear in New York.Â
He guided me over to the condiment section, where I found my “Best Foods” Mayonnaise. (side note: In New York, it is Hellman’s Mayonnaise. In California, it is Best Foods Mayonnaise. In New York, it is Arnold’s Bread. In California, it is Orowheat. In New York, it is Edy’s Ice Cream. In California, it is Dreyer’s ice cream. I have this personal conspiracy theory that the names were changed for the West Coast so they seem less “Jewish.” — but that’s another post)
After grabbing the mayonnaise, I thanked the stock boy.
“One more thing,” I asked. “Do you know where I can find “sucking candies?”
He giggled nervously. We were alone in the condiment aisle.
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“Sucking candies!”
“Uh… the candies are in front by the register.”
“No, I don’t mean like the M&Ms. I mean the candies you suck on. The… HARD candies.”
He turned red faced. At the same time, he seemed VERY intrigued. I’m not exactly sure what was going on, but it seemed as if I had hit upon some new “code” that has replaced the hitting of feet in the bathroom stall.  He looked up and smiled, shyly.
“I’ll find it myself.” I quickly said, stumbling over a shopping cart as I went searching for the hard candies.
A few minutes later, I was in line, ready to check out with my mayonnaise and sucking candies. I saw the stock boy looking my way. I held up the package of Werthers that I bought, hoping that he got the message. He GOT the message alright, but I’m not sure WHAT that message was. He waved good-bye to me, a wisp of hopefulness in his eyes.
When I got back home, I logged onto Twitter.
“Does anyone use the term “sucking candies?”
I was surprised that nobody had ever used the term before. My entire family calls them “sucking candies.” “Good and Plenty” is candy. A Hershey’s Bar is chocolate. A Werther’s is “sucking candy.” Where did this term come from and why was I the only one using it?
Last night, Ninja Poodles sent me a message. She noticed this on Margalit‘s Twitter.Â
Yeah! I’m not alone.
Since both Margalit and I are Jewish, I wonder if “sucking candy” is a Jewish term that was changed for the West Coast.
