Forget emotional support water bottles – 8 other 'emotional support' items aunties already have in their bags
And they are all longstanding traditions, okay?
Aunties can be over-thinkers but it's so that they can be prepared in any situation. By the way, anyone can identify as an aunty, regardless of age or gender. (Art: CNA/Jasper Loh)
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So, we no longer have water bottles, we now have emotional support water bottles. Drinking water on the go has turned into a self-soothing liturgy of ritualistic hydration.
That’s not all – the brand of water bottle you choose is also an arbiter of social standing. Pulling out your limited-edition, pastel-hued Owala bottle is the new opening your refrigerator so your visitors can see it’s stocked with Perrier or Fiji.
Above all, the emotional support water bottle is an accessory that one feels lost and naked without. It is the "chouchou" of the Gen Z zeitgeist.
Now, all the aunties are scratching their heads. They do not understand why this is a thing. Because any card-carrying aunty worth her salt has always had a water bottle in her bag at all times. Why buy bottled water when you can bring your own for free? And if a restaurant wants to charge for tap water, well, Aunty gets the last laugh.
(By the way, you don’t have to be of a certain age or a particular gender to identify as an aunty. Some are born aunties, some achieve auntie-ness and some have auntie-ness thrust upon them. “Aunty” is a state of being.)
So, the aunty market has always had a handle on emotional support water bottles. And, while we’re at it, here are some of the other emotional support items in the time-honoured aunty arsenal.
1. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WET WIPES
Of the anti-bacterial variety. God forbid Aunty touches something icky – do you know how many germs are on this and that thing? Dual-purpose: Can also be used to chope seats at the hawker centre.
2. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT MEDICATED OIL
In case Aunty feels faint or headache-y, or Aunty’s friend feels faint or headache-y, or there’s a foul smell coming from somewhere, or Aunty gets bitten by a mosquito, or Aunty’s friend gets bitten by a mosquito. Category can be expanded to, but is not limited to, Vicks inhalers, Salonpas and Tiger Balm.
3. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FAN
So hot these days. Cannot tahan. Aunty doesn’t sweat; Aunty glows.
4. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PLASTIC BAG
Not a reusable tote, although Aunty carries one of those too, clearly. A real, old-fashioned plastic bag. For if it rains and Aunty has to put her wet emotional support umbrella away in her bag, or if Aunty needs extra poop bags while walking the dog, or if the takeaway container filled with Aunty’s leftover hor fun appears to be leaking. Extra points if the plastic bag is folded into a compact triangle.
5. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PEN
Very handy. You know, for filling out forms and whatnot. Unfortunately, so seldom used that by the time Aunty actually needs it, the ink has dried out.
6. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SAFETY PIN
Multi-purpose. Can be used for wardrobe exigencies; popping open the SIM card compartment in a smartphone; if a necklace clasp suddenly breaks, etc.
7. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PARACETAMOL, ANTACIDS AND BAND-AIDS
Got a blister? Paper cut? Heartburn? Indigestion? What might or might not be a fever (Aunty checked with the back of her hand but not sure leh)? Never fear – Aunty is here.
8. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT EMERGENCY BACKUP SNACK
If you get hungry suddenly, it results in too much acid in your stomach, and then you could get “gastric”, so, why would you want to take that chance? Extra points if the snack is a packet of biscuits stolen from the office pantry.
BUYER’S GUIDE
Here are some other products you may be interested in, identified by our affiliate marketing team which is separate from CNA's editorial team. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission. The editorial team does not select affiliate marketing products.
Tiger Thermos Flask MKA-K060AK, 600 ml, Sky Blue (S$24.03; Usual Price: S$63)
What’s slim, light and good looking? Why, this vacuum insulated, stainless steel Tiger thermos flask, which is an early Amazon Prime Day Deal. With a diameter of just 7cm and a capacity of 600ml, it slips easily into bag pockets and helps maintain the temperature of warm and cold drinks for up to six hours.
- Capacity: 600ml
- Weight: 230g
- Dimensions: 6.6cm x 7.3cm x 26.2cm
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 1.1l, Foggy Tide (S$52; Usual Price: S$58.11)
We liked this bottle so much, we featured its 24oz (710ml) sibling in our guide to water bottles. The 40oz (1.1l) Owala FreeSip keeps your drinks cold for up to 24 hours thanks to double-walled insulation. Available from Amazon US, the FreeSip spout gives you two drinking options – sip through the built-in straw or chug for all you’re worth through the spout.
- 40oz (1.1l) capacity
- BPA, lead and phthalate-free
- Dishwasher-safe lid and hand-washable cup
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Cap, 1.1l, Pacific (S$56.61; Usual Price: S$79.99)
Never pay for water again with this 1.1l insulated stainless steel bottle. It keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours. Its leakproof Flex Cap means you don’t have to worry about spills and built-in strap make this easy to carry around
- Capacity 1.1l
- Dishwasher safe
- BPA-Free & Toxin-Free
