Whatever and Anything

Two of the most oft-used words in our modern lexicon have become the polestar of a major advertising blitz for two beverage products called, you’ve guessed it, Whatever and Anything. If you’ve never heard of this before, you probably just came down from Mt Kusu, in which case you’d be better off climbing back up again.

The (very successful) teasers and ad campaign generated lots of interest and buzz and personally, the print ads never fail to illicit a chuckle. Whether the actual products lives up to the hype is another thing. From what I’ve heard so far, feedback hasn’t always been positive. Just last night, I tried a can of Whatever, and it turned out to chrysanthemum tea laced with so much sugar they should stick a diabetic warning on the can.

I attended a company-sponsored course last week, and the trainer just so happened to mention that the products was a result of focus groups replying “Anything” or “Whatever” when asked what were their favourite drinks. (I checked the product website, and the creators claimed they stumbled upon the idea themselves.)

First we had the baby boomers, followed by Generations X, Y and Z. Now apparently we have the Whatever-and-Anything Generation. Typical teenspeak for you:

“What shall we have for dinner?” – “Anything.”
“Which way is better? X or Y?” – “Whatever.”
“Which sauce would you like to have? Mayo or thousand island?” – “Anything lor.”
“He/She is soooo cute!” – “Whatever!”

Some of us non-teens aka adults are guilty of the above as well. Nothing wrong with that of course, but unless you want to be accused of being indifferent and apathetic, then you better speak up. Wait, Singaporeans ARE indifferent and apathetic. That probably explains why we are the first ones to invent beverages with innovative names like Whatever and Anything.