Cesium-133, the Sun, Moon, stars, or.... T.P. Scott-1000?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the toilet paper shortages experienced in the U.S. during the early pandemic, highlighting the cultural shift towards alternative cleaning methods. It notes that while many hoarded toilet paper, some individuals tracked their usage, marking each new roll on a calendar. The conversation also touches on the potential increase in sales of Japanese butt-washing toilets during this period. A personal anecdote about an uncle's unfortunate encounter with a snake while foraging for leaves adds a humorous yet cautionary note to the topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pandemic-related consumer behavior
  • Familiarity with alternative hygiene practices
  • Knowledge of cultural differences in sanitation methods
  • Awareness of the impact of supply chain disruptions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the rise in popularity of bidets and butt-washing toilets in the U.S.
  • Explore consumer behavior trends during crises, focusing on essential goods.
  • Investigate alternative hygiene practices across different cultures.
  • Analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on consumer habits and product availability.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for sociologists, marketers, and public health officials interested in consumer behavior during crises, as well as anyone exploring cultural differences in hygiene practices.

JT Smith
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Early in the pandemic there was, at least in the U.S., a concern about toilet paper shortages. It all seems so quaint now but there were actually runs on t.p. in supermarkets and people were hoarding it. There are of course other ways to clean up afterwards. I reckon that most people in the world do not use paper for this purpose. It's arguable that it is not only environmentally less sound but also less effective than alternative methods. I can't help but wonder if domestic sales of Japanese butt-washing toilets increased in 2020.

We weren't terribly worried. We had enough for several months, we had a newspaper delivered each morning, and corn on the cob was available in the markets even in the winter months. Other possibilities existed:

roto-wipe.jpg
Nonetheless, we began keeping track, noting each installation of a new roll in the bathroom on our wall calendar. It became a kind of pandemic metronome for us, long after t.p. was a subject of pandemic conversation. How long has the pandemic been going on? I could tell simply by the t.p. count (or by the ever-increasing length of my hair).

And now, 21 months later, we have just today hung the 100th roll. I feel like we should celebrate in some fashion.
 
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JT Smith said:
There are of course other ways to clean up afterwards.
I had an uncle that went in the woods and picked up a handful of dried leaves to use, but in those leaves was a copperhead snake. Yep, it bit him on the butt. I was told this at a very young age and IIRC, he died. :oldcry:
 
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