So Why Do We Buy Bread & Milk?

[OKCisOK4me]

I didn't want to ask a stupid question on here so I went and Google'd it myself and found this interesting article written as a general observation about the psychology behind the saying "get out there and buy some bread & milk" and what you really should stock up on before potential life threatening storms.

HowStuffWorks "Why do people buy up all the bread and milk before a storm hits?"

After reading the above article, which is only 2 1/2 pages long, I realized that my question would not have been all that "stupid" because not only might I be asking, others on here too might be asking. Things listed for purchase in this article I have done for storms so thankfully I have more common sense than I thought, lol.

BTW, this isn't really intended as a thread to get derailed, just **bump** it up every once in a while to keep people informed. Thanks!

[RadicalModerate]

It's because . . . .

Bread and Milk are The MultiTaskers of The Food Pyramid that resides within Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs

. . . ?

They rank only a couple of notches below electricity and gasoline.
This is why Power Lines in The New! Improved!! Oklahoma should be underground.
I hope "They" complete the task before 2:00 AM this morning.
But I don't hope too much.

There isn't a whole lot of "learning from the mistakes of the past" going on here.

I guess.

[Just the facts]

Buying dairy products in a storm is right up there with people who spend thousands on generators and store 5 to 10 gallon of fuel for it. After two days all you have is large paper weight. I also see people stock up on water like crazy as well, not even realizing that every house has 40 to 60 gallons of fresh clean water sitting in the garage (aka - hot water heater).

[RadicalModerate]

Buying dairy products in a storm is right up there with people who spend thousands on generators and store 5 to 10 gallon of fuel for it. After two days all you have is large paper weight. I also see people stock up on water like crazy as well, not even realizing that every house has 40 to 60 gallons of fresh clean water sitting in the garage (aka - hot water heater).

In reality, it is a COLD water heater. =)
(yet, i caught your drift. =)

[SoonerDave]

Buying dairy products in a storm is right up there with people who spend thousands on generators and store 5 to 10 gallon of fuel for it. After two days all you have is large paper weight. I also see people stock up on water like crazy as well, not even realizing that every house has 40 to 60 gallons of fresh clean water sitting in the garage (aka - hot water heater).

May be mistaken, but I"m reasonably sure that, technically, water from a hot water heater isn't considered "potable" by virtue of the fact that, in its heated condition, could dissolve trace amounts of certain elements present in the tank, and the tank itself isn't secure from possible external bacterial contamination.

Besides, I tasted tap hot water from the tank once and it was yucky.

[RadicalModerate]

May be mistaken, but I"m reasonably sure that, technically, water from a hot water heater isn't considered "potable" by virtue of the fact that, in its heated condition, could dissolve trace amounts of certain elements present in the tank, and the tank itself isn't secure from possible external bacterial contamination.

Besides, I tasted tap hot water from the tank once and it was yucky.

How did it compare with water from a radiator (like, on a motor vehicle?)
Probably not real good I would wager. =)

If I had to ask Phil Robertson--rather than a different "celebrity"--he'd probably give me a bit of advice on "not gambling".
For sure I wouldn't pose the question to Miley Cyrus or Mike Huckabee.

The only thing worse than an approaching tornado is an approaching Oklahoma (potential) Ice Storm.
(de veras?)

I'm not real sure about how Phil Robertson would deal with an Ice Storm on account of he is from Louisiana.
and, by the way, "Potable" is not the ebonic version of "Portable". The "Potable" version of the alternative is "Canteen". =)

Memo to OP: Great Topic. Thank You.

Memo to Dubya the Pun Appreciator =):
Don't waste time
on "Bread and Milk" . . .
Go for the cottage cheese.
As in the sense of:
"how doest i love thee . . ?
let me count the wheys"
=)

btw/fyi: Daisy (from Buy For Less) is superior to Braum's version.

[Just the facts]

May be mistaken, but I"m reasonably sure that, technically, water from a hot water heater isn't considered "potable" by virtue of the fact that, in its heated condition, could dissolve trace amounts of certain elements present in the tank, and the tank itself isn't secure from possible external bacterial contamination.

Besides, I tasted tap hot water from the tank once and it was yucky.

I clean my dishes with it, however, you are correct that warm water doesn't taste good. Of course, room temp water from a plastic bottle is kind of crappy as well.

[OKCisOK4me]

It's because . . . .

Bread and Milk are The MultiTaskers of The Food Pyramid that resides within Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs

. . . ?

They rank only a couple of notches below electricity and gasoline.
This is why Power Lines in The New! Improved!! Oklahoma should be underground.
I hope "They" complete the task before 2:00 AM this morning.
But I don't hope too much.

There isn't a whole lot of "learning from the mistakes of the past" going on here.

I guess.

Read the article RadMo. It goes more in depth. Bread and milk are perishables and the only reason people buy them is to promote the light at the end of the tunnel. Technically it's a saying.

[RadicalModerate]

Is the (potential) learning here that . . . while electricity may heat the cold water in the personal storage tank, it is good to have alternatives worth mentioning? Especially in regard to urban planning/population control measures? (i think OKC, proper, should have re-allowed the re-introduction of backyard chickens a long time ago. For the eggs and the meat to accompany the toast--that is, the bread--that everyone is rushing out to buy. =)

However: I've been wrong before.

[RadicalModerate]

Read the article RadMo. It goes more in depth. Bread and milk are perishables and the only reason people buy them is to promote the light at the end of the tunnel. Technically it's a saying.

Sorry, amigo, I'm wrong again.
(however, I must admit, that the above response, to my attempted answer, to your original question, makes me wonder, again, about the definition of "common sense")
And that isn't a "bad" thing.
Is it?

[BBatesokc]

We don't do milk. We buy bread because we can make sandwiches with or without utilities and bread tends to last awhile.

In all honesty, we've never rushed out and bought food to stock up when the rest of the herd does. I can't think of a time we were stuck in our house for more than 24 hours.

[RadicalModerate]

We don't do milk. We buy bread because we can make sandwiches with or without utilities and bread tends to last awhile.

In all honesty, we've never rushed out and bought food to stock up when the rest of the herd does. I can't think of a time we were stuck in our house for more than 24 hours.

While I take exception to your flagrant use of the word "herd" . . .
I understand your position on the issue.
It is a good place to be.

[Just the facts]

If you are going to buy bread, get the potato bread. It lasts a lot longer and taste a lot better. We prefer Martins.

[RadicalModerate]

We don't do milk. We buy bread because we can make sandwiches with or without utilities and bread tends to last awhile.

In all honesty, we've never rushed out and bought food to stock up when the rest of the herd does. I can't think of a time we were stuck in our house for more than 24 hours.

While I take exception to your flagrant use of the word "herd" . . .
in reference to the general population of OKC
and the suburbs thereof.
I understand your position on the issue.
It is a good place to be.
No kidding.
no joke

(p.s.: can you even believe the extent to which OPs
will go to in order to avoid
being accused
of posing
a 'stupid'
question?)

All Kidding Aside: Thank You for Your Honesty and Promotion of Honor.
Merry Christmas and a Happy--Prosperous--New Year.

(I don't send cards on account of the environmental cost)

[OKCisOK4me]

If you are going to buy bread, get the potato bread. It lasts a lot longer and taste a lot better. We prefer Martins.

Thanks Kerry for contributing valuable information for this thread which exists for the very reason of learning or gaining useful knowledge.

[Garin]

In reality, it is a COLD water heater. =)
(yet, i caught your drift. =)

Mine runs on natural gas so it is still hot, all electric homes are ridiculous in a power outage.

[Just the facts]

Thanks Kerry for contributing valuable information for this thread which exists for the very reason of learning or gaining useful knowledge.

Just be sure to wash it down with Parmalat milk. It doesn't have to be refrigerated until you open it and has a shelf life of 6 to 9 months. To top it off - it taste pretty good.

[ou48A]

When buying a home I put a very high priority on areas with underground utility's...
It increases the odds and usually means getting your electricity back on much sooner.

[ou48A]

On one occasion my refrigerate broke down during a snow storm. Until I had time to go buy a replacement we buried our frozen foods in a deep snow drift and put things like milk and eggs in the garage. Things like this can help. I have also filled large ice chest with snow / ice and kept things cold for days.

[MadMonk]

My years of experience with Oklahoma weather outages informs me that my best option for items to stock up on prior to an "x-mageddon"-style weather event are a good bottle of bourbon (or two) and your favorite mixers. Makers Mark is my current favorite.

[Snowman]

Normal buying patterns get people use to overbuying so overstocking for a storm should not be a suprise

[KenRagsdale]

We buy bread and milk prior to a big storm because we buy bread and milk prior to a big storm. That's why.

[OKCisOK4me]

We buy bread and milk prior to a big storm because we buy bread and milk prior to a big storm. That's why.

I'd hate to hear the rhyme & reasons for the rest of your life...

[Richard at Remax]

I bought beer instead

[KenRagsdale]

Repitition may not entertain, but it does instruct.