# Ketchup packets impossible to open - why?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 21, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079 "2002-05-21T12:47:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/1 "2002-05-21T12:47:26Z")
About one in every five ketchup packets is just impossible to open, in my experience. Is there any particular reason for this?
I try opening the suckers from every possible angle all across both the bottom and top edges, and zilch.
I’ve always wondered if this is some kind of factory error or just clumsiness on my part?
-Kris
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### Author:  [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/2 "2002-05-21T13:07:47Z")
Never in my life have I found a ketchup packet to be impossible to open. Of course, I always use my teeth–the old bite-and-tear method never fails. If you’re using your hands (like most civilized people, unlike me), it may be that the grease from your fast-food burger and fries is not allowing you to get optimal grip on the packet. That’s why the teeth method is superior, if a bit uncivilized.
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### Author:  [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/3 "2002-05-21T13:15:36Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Kris Rhodes \*
> **I’ve always wondered if this is some kind of factory error or just clumsiness on my part?**
Probably factory error. The packs are supposed to be made with a small nick on the side that “starts” the tear for you. If the nick is absent, you will have a much harder time tearing the package open. Some packs are made with a jagged “pinking shears” edge at the top/bottom, and this also allows a tear to be started (vertically) more easily.
Or there’s always the “put it on the ground and stomp it” approach - effective, but hard to control…:eek:
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/4 "2002-05-21T13:24:53Z")
How about the shampoo packets that come in magazines and the like. Once your hands are wet, it’s damn near impossible. I found the trick is to tear it open before you take a shower.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/5 "2002-05-21T13:25:40Z")
Most packets I encounter have many slits at top and bottom.
You simply tear along these slits. I rarely encounter one that doesn’t have several slits.
Grab small little tabs that form those slits and tear down…not across.
I have never had difficulty with these packages, or similar food wraps.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [May 21, 2002, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/6 "2002-05-21T13:31:57Z")
You have to love how supersized our (U.S.) society has become, and then wonder if their is a conspiracy to torture us with the never growing, always too small ketchup packet.
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### Author:  [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2002, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/7 "2002-05-22T06:03:25Z")
It’s the slits, I think. I get packets with no slit quite often. Some of them I can open anyway, but some of them just won’t open for me.
Someone mentioned stomping on the packet on the ground. That brings back memories of when I used to work Drive-Thru at a certain international fastfood chain. I used to drop ketchup packets outside the window right where the cars’ wheels would be. I just liked hearing them pop and seeing the ketchup all over their tires afterwards.
I sometimes threw McNugget Sauce packets out there too. Those sometimes even got on their bumper or the bottom of their door, depending on the angle. Great fun, and no one ever came back to complain. ;-\>
-Kris
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2002, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ketchup-packets-impossible-to-open-why/110079/8 "2002-05-22T22:01:55Z")
Ah, an unnamed international food chain which happens to have McNugget Sauce. We’re on to you! You were at Burger King, weren’t you?