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Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

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Re: Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

#101

Post by oh_sigh »

bootlooped wrote: post #20
oh_sigh wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If the signs say don't flush anything down, they usually mean anything other than toilet paper and bodily excretions. Flushing tampons, pads, condoms, whatever the hell else is in your pocket is common and that is what those signs are discouraging. Toilet paper is designed to basically disintegrate once it gets wet, so it is not causing any problems in plumbing

In Korea there are buildings that still insist you don't flush toilet paper. They usually say specifically toilet paper. My position is that it would not be dangerous to ignore this, firstly, because like you stated toilet paper is very weak when wet, and secondly, the impression that I got was that it was mostly an old-fashioned idea.

This may have to do more with their toilet paper technology instead of their pipes. Mere rolls of wood pulp may be cheaper to produce - and importantly more likely to cause clogs - in some locales than ultra soft quilted quad-ply.

Re: Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

#102

Post by singingfish »

taneq wrote: post #78
sergiotapia wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0RHSJO/ref=oh_aui_deta... $35 and you can install it in about 5 minutes flat. It's terrific, can't go back to TP ever.

Honest question: How do you dry your butt afterwards? Do you keep a butt-towel next to the toilet? Shared or one per person?

warning: TMI. The dirty clothes basket is next to the toilet. I fish something suitable looking out of that and pat dry.

Re: Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

#103

Post by sandywilkinscr »

joecool1029 wrote: post #29
schoen wrote: post #3

Something I find quite strange is how South American countries pervasively discourage people from flushing used toilet paper (instead preferring to have a little wastebasket to collect it and later throw it away in the trash). The usual account of the reason for this is that the plumbing can't handle it -- which you also hear about some old buildings in the U.S. OK, but this norm persists even in buildings that were…

Encountered it in Canada in the maritimes. Anywhere on the coast there were places that just had a pipe going straight into the ocean. Cafes, restaurants, you name it. There were even portable toilets set up with the pipes so they never had to be pumped. I'm guessing they don't want to see tons of toilet paper floating in the ocean I guess, but excrement is not a problem? Maybe someone else has some better insight, f…

For systems that pump to the sea, the waste is pumped to large enough distance from the shore that by the time it reaches the shore again (as determined by currents and who knows what else) it is sufficiently disintegrated and decomposed to not be harmful for swimmers on the beach. Remember this from my uncle who is an engineer and works in sewage systems design, construction, and maintenance.

A distance I think he mentioned for a specific construction he was working on was 350 meters from shore, but this could be incorrect.

Re: Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

#104

Post by mantas »

GordonS wrote: post #77
mantas wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not uncommon in Europe either. Especially in non-renovated parts of old cities or middle-of-nowhere kind of places. Old pipes just can't handle too much paper.

As a European who has travelled through a lot of Europe, I would say it is uncommon - I don't think I've ever come across it in Europe.

Come to Baltic states or Poland then. It does happen in either super old and not yet renovated downtown buildings or roadside establishments in the middle of nowhere. Old narrow pipes just can't take paper. Especially if someone loves to fold it few times...

I think I've seen that in the UK as well, but memory may be playing tricks on me.

Re: Toilet Paper History: How America Convinced the World to Wipe (2009)

#106

Post by GordonS »

mantas wrote: post #104
GordonS wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a European who has travelled through a lot of Europe, I would say it is uncommon - I don't think I've ever come across it in Europe.

Come to Baltic states or Poland then. It does happen in either super old and not yet renovated downtown buildings or roadside establishments in the middle of nowhere. Old narrow pipes just can't take paper. Especially if someone loves to fold it few times... I think I've seen that in the UK as well, but memory may be playing tricks on me.

I've been to Poland, didn't see it there either. But I suppose I wasn't on a tour of toilets!

I'm certain I haven't seen this anywhere in the UK (I live there).

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