Reader Suggestion

It was brought to my attention that I missed National Toliet Paper Day by one of my readers. Yes I missed it and National Dog Day as they both were August 26th. Maybe the fact that I was working excessively was part of the reason, but honestly, who comes up with toliet paper day?

Ok so the reader, we’ll call her ‘Amanda’ asked why I did not write about National TP day.  She additionally provided consumption information about her personal use and a friend’s use, we’ll call her ‘Stacey’.  So Amanda you asked and you shall receive ….  Here it goes….

Charmin…. Quilted Northern… Angel Soft…. Or something else?  Basic, strong, ultra?  Regular, big or jumbo? Just a few questions we all must answer in the paper products isle of our local store. It boils down to … How important is our tushy?

Toliet paper is a fairly new invention and mostly used in the western world. In fact, the majority of people do not use TP, they find it disgusting. They believe it is not sanitary to ‘wipe’ with a cloth; they prefer to ‘wash’ with their hands. In some countries TP is only used by tourists. 

In my recent travel to Morocco I can confirm that TP outside the hotels was a hot commodity. Those of us traveling knew to bring our squares but someone was bound to forget and we were constantly passing TP down the line…  ‘Can you spare a square?’ was reverberated throughout the restroom. If TP was in the stall the first person in was always proud to announce it to the rest of us standing in line. And yes, our eyes would light up and we discussed it until it was our turn to move to the open stall just hoping it would be there once we reached the destination. 

Amanda, I believe you said you always use six to ten squares and your friend Stacey four; that would have been very hard to come by unless you remembered your own for travel. At some of the fast ‘comfort stops’, that’s what they officially called bathroom breaks, a lady was standing outside the door waiting for money and IF, and I do mean IF, she has TP the max you’d get was  one square!!  And that one square would cost you!!

Amanda just so you know, although your usage is double that of Stacey’s, the national average is 8.6 squares per trip so you’re an average TP user. But given your use is higher than Stacey’s you may consider a toliet rack instead of a single roll holder. 

Just a thought so you always have extra on stand by. There is nothing worse than needing that 10th square and only having 6. What do you do at that point? 

As for your liking of quilted, and multi-ply, those weren’t options in Morocco. Same was true when I was in India. In fact, that golden thrown, the toliet, was quite rare in Morocco and India outside westernized establishments. The key is to look for an actual toliet sign, without that sign, expect a hole. 

Granted I’ve been to places with a hole, but usually they were the ‘outhouse’ type where a hole was in the plywood; some, the fancier ones, had a plastic seat attached. Some were quite sophisticated that there were 5-10 spots for multiple people; the smell was awful but hey, people were in/out with small waiting lines. No room and certainly no lighting for selfies; lighting just wasn’t good. Maybe it was just in Nebraska, I don’t know, but they were at the county fairs and at baseball fields if I remember correctly.

I’ve never seen it, but in UK they actually have peach and pink in addition to white TP. 

In France, they have toliet paper with French culture, geography, and current affairs printed on every square. Now I don’t see the point of having items written on the square. I think I’d have to unroll the roll and read it prior to rolling it back up. I mean what happens if there is a story to be told and I missed the square because someone else used it?   Or if I had company over, I would have to pre-approve the squares they use just so I didn’t miss anything important on the squares. Or what if people stayed in my restroom for an extended time because they too felt the need for enlightenment and kept tearing squares?  I don’t like that idea. 

You can get what is essentially baby wipes for adults. For those who think using dry paper still leaves ones bum dirty, these wet wipes may be the answer. I mean when you think about it, why not use the wet variety?  If it was good enough for your infant and toddler, why is your tushy not equally worthy?

Oh and let’s not forget the biggest debate, over or under?  Over so it’s readily available or under?  I’m thinking the French paper with script would have to be an over, but what about the people who like it under?  Is there special paper for them?  It is an important question. 

What about the places with a bidet?  I guess being from the land of outhouse or no houses, just open pastures, the thought of a bidet is quite new. I don’t even know if I could properly use one. They are popular in Europe but they just take up extra space in the bathroom. I do think I’d be down for a Japanese toliet though. They seem ultra clean, very high tech, and don’t talk up extra space. 

Now back to the majority of the world not using TP. The main reason is because they feel it is dirty, but when you think about it, one could save a significant amount of money if you were to forgo the paper. I mean it is litterly money wasted down the toliet. Is your tushy really worth the extra multi-ply or quilting or is it best not to use any at all?  I mean if the majority of people in the world get by on a daily basis without it, are we westerners just wasting money?? It’s better for our environment to go without. 

So my question to you dearest Amanda is….. Are you willing to go without, go all natural, to save money but to also save the environment? You tell me…  I’ll be waiting for your comment. 

The names in this article may/may not have been changed to protect the identity of  the individuals involved. If you think you know ‘Amanda’ you may, or maybe you are just like ‘Amanda’ with your personal TP choice. Give ‘Amanda’ credit for airing her personal choice. Will anyone else step up and provide commentary?    

Please, if you would like to support ‘Amanda’ or if you have anything else to add to the discussion please do so. Post your TP favorite brand, ply and quilting. Who knows maybe someone’s tush needs an upgrade.