Evans.
March 28th, 2020
Under or over? The great toilet paper debate
With the world in a panic and toilet paper being purchased and
horded in great amounts I felt that now is the appropriate time for the
time-honoured debate, should it come over the top or dangle down behind?
People, in general, feel one of two ways about the great
toilet paper debate. Some could care less over the toilet paper alignment, while
others have a strong preference. People with a strong preference one way or the
other are often unshakable. Likely this strong feeling comes from observations
made in early childhood. Due to our confirmation bias our brains insist that
the way we do it is the way it should be done. No one likes to be wrong. Some
of the reasons presented can make people feel their hygiene is being attacked. Throughout
history, humans have needed ways to keep hygienic. There have been many
accepted ways which one may cleanse their backside. In the 21st century all but the paper
method and the bidet have fallen into disuse in most westernized cultures
When it comes to toilet paper there are 2 roll
orientations, a vertical method, where the over under debate becomes somewhat
less clear, and horizontal, which we will be speaking about today.
Passions run strong, with voices in hushed tones designated
for taboo subjects. Surveys undertaken year after year have shown that the
support of the public swings to the over orientation, with results varying from
59% to 79% of people preferring this method.
The first patent for rolled toilet paper, patent number
465,588, has a diagram that clearly illustrates the correct orientation, with
paper coming up the back of the roll and over the top. There are many reasons
this is the more reasonable way to hang it, and only one good reason I have
heard for the under orientation.
What I feel needs to be addressed first is the issue of
hygiene. We all understand that using the washroom is not a completely clean
process, but I think we can all agree that we want to make it as hygienic as
possible. With the toilet paper hanging down behind the roll there is
significantly more chance for your fingers to contact the wall when collecting it.
As soon as that has happened the wall and fingers are both potentially
contaminated. How many times has this same thing happened before and when was
the last time that area was cleaned? Additionally, with the over the top method
there is significantly less chance of a surprise as one can observe the piece
they are about to remove prior to touching it.
Over orientation also causes less need to grasp around for
the loose end, again limiting potential unwashed hands contact with the
wall. This method also provides hotel and other public establishments the
opportunity to fold the end of the paper over to represent the fact that it has
been recently cleaned.
During researching this project, a great point for the
under orientation has arisen. Toddlers and pets have less of an easy time
unwinding the entire roll onto the floor, into the garbage, or, worst of all, the
toilet itself.
Whether it be for hygiene, visual or practical body
mechanics reasons, the over the top method is your best option, with the
one exception. If Jr. or Fido likes to empty the roll you may want to
consider the under method until they (hopefully) grow out of it. Perhaps this
recent toilet paper shortage will underline our need for a new method of
bathroom hygiene in the 21st century.
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