PA- A lot of people don't think as tater tots as a brand name, they tend to be called that even when they come from a completely different company or are home made. So it's far more likely the original author might not have even mad the connection to a brand. I'm not from the States originally and that is pretty much the only name I know that side dish as. And it is likely the same for many other people.

And again, my main issue was the rude tone of the comments. As I said when I first tarted reading I was surprised by people using terms like beer. Yet I never once decided the story stopped being valid for things like that. One of my most recent reads even used Guatemalan foods and culture to add to Poe's background, is very much not canon, but it was an unique way to add something to his character that ended up working for the author and readers.

To pretty much tell people not to use things like this because you yourself can't enjoy it, does come across like a douche move. Or telling them they would alienate the majority of the fandom if they do. Which is what I had a problem with. We can only speak for ourselves (we all have our pet peeves after all! for once I can't read stories that are first person POV), when you go around making genetic comments like that then I take issue.