# Products most often used in direct violation of package directions. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627 "2002-07-24T20:11:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wikkit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c0e974/32.png) [@Wikkit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wikkit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/41 "2002-07-25T08:24:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Another Primate \* > \*\*Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. The sandpaper thing is now on the BACK of the matchbook. Darn it. \*\* Yeah, but a lot of people use the pansy ass scheme as to not burn their fingers. You fold the front cover back over the back and squeeze the match between the cover and the sandpaper, then pull it out reall quick-like. Keeps the flaming sulphur off your fingers. Continuing the thread: Bumper cars. What drunken carnie came up with the idea of putting up ‘do not bump’ signs on a ride called ‘ **bumper** cars’? Second, DMSO. They may sell it and say it’s a solvent, but you don’t get solvents in 3 oz roll-ons or as a gel. Brass knuckles. They’re always sold for use as paperweights. Adult toys. They’re always ‘sold as a novelty only’. Yeah, those are a bit obscure, but Q-tips was the first thing I thought of, too… I’m not having nearly as much fun as my four items suggest. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/42 "2002-07-25T09:40:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Manduck \* > Similar thing with file powder - “not for consumption” (in Canada at least), but it doesn’t have any other purpose. \*\* File powder, as in ground sassafras? Or is this something else? ---
**Author:** ![manwithaplan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@manwithaplan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manwithaplan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/43 "2002-07-25T10:02:19Z")
Baseball bats - they sell like hotcakes here in Ireland but you’d be hard pressed to find a baseball or a mitt. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/44 "2002-07-25T10:04:57Z")
I can’t believe nobody’s mentioned those tiny silver balls you use to decorate cakes. Not for consumption? \ :rolleyes: Yeah, right! ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/45 "2002-07-25T10:40:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > \*\* > > File powder, as in ground sassafras? Or is this something else? \*\* Yep, that’s the stuff. It’s supposed to be carcinogenic I think. There is a specialty store here that will sell it to me, but under the counter. Ssshhhh… ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/46 "2002-07-25T11:11:00Z")
Hair bleach. The packaging tells you to apply it to a patch on your forearm and wear it around all day, in case you have an adverse skin reaction. _snort_ Like I’m gonna wander around with a patch of wet bleach goop on my arm all day. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/47 "2002-07-25T11:45:18Z")
**Narrad** - you’re not supposed to apply the patch for 24 hours. You put it on for the normal amount of time you’d put bleach on, and then _wait_ 24 hours to see if you have an adverse reaction. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/48 "2002-07-25T11:46:55Z")
King size rizla papers (which are ostensibly sold for people like lorry drivers who can’t stop to roll lots of little cigarettes. It is a pure coincidence that they are exactly the same size as a doobie). Baseball bats are also popular in London and I don’t know anyone who even knows the rules of baseball. Dope seeds, which are freely sold in the UK, which come in a packet with “Germination of these seeds is illegal in the UK”. People obviously buy them for their ornamental value. The all night shops in Kings Cross sell a lot of lemons to the street people. They’re not cooking with them (well they are in a way, just not Delia Smith type cooking). Ditto baking powder. CD burners come with a stern warning about copyright theft. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/49 "2002-07-25T11:50:47Z")
Lemons? Baking powder? I’m assuming they’re using them in unsavoury ways - care to enlighten the naive? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/50 "2002-07-25T11:51:23Z")
Despite my LaserJet haggling me to use only HP toners, I gleefully replace them with rip-off brands. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/51 "2002-07-25T11:58:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Francesca \* > \*\*Lemons? Baking powder? I’m assuming they’re using them in unsavoury ways - care to enlighten the naive? \*\* Lemons are used to sterlise needles so they can be shared and baking powder is a crucial ingredient in the manufacture of crack cocaine (I won’t be more specific, but you need it). The all night shops have all the usual late night things (pot noodles, porn, frozen pizzas etc) and a big rack of lemons and baking powder. For people making all night lemon sponges apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/52 "2002-07-25T12:12:15Z")
You know, I always did wonder why they had so many lemons in the all-night offy on Tottenham Court Road. Now I know. Huh. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/53 "2002-07-25T12:23:55Z")
And why chocolate wrapped in foil was such a big seller to very skinny people? ---
**Author:** ![Moxmaiden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@Moxmaiden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moxmaiden)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/54 "2002-07-25T12:44:24Z")
Just to add a little boring seriousness to a great thread- Cytotec which many doctors use to soften the cervex of a pregnant woman so as to induce labor has a warning on its lable that says not to use it in pregnant women. Found this online- I am sorry I don’t know how to do urls yet. I looked up Cytotec warning and found out that the company has actually sent an official letter to doctors. “Searle sent physicians a letter reminding them that Cytotec was not approved for use as a cervical ripening agent and that it was contraindicated for use in pregnancy. The letter listed serious adverse effects associated with using Cytotec, including **maternal or fetal death, uterine rupture, and severe vaginal bleeding and shock**.” And they use this to induce labor! (bolding mine) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Toaster52](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@Toaster52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toaster52)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/55 "2002-07-25T12:56:25Z")
So… Who wants to misuse a toaster?? _snicker_ aw, c’mon…I hadda say it… ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/56 "2002-07-25T13:01:19Z")
Bonjela, which is sold as a pain killer to be rubbed on babies gums when they’re teething warns “may cause drowsiness if affected to not operate heavy machinery” Rattles presumably don’t count. ---
**Author:** ![Pythagoras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@Pythagoras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagoras)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/57 "2002-07-25T13:05:31Z")
Nobody ever eats the serving size listed on the back of food. ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/58 "2002-07-25T13:46:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samclem \* > \*\*A humorless reply. > > I can’t believe that I always dumped a capful of bleach in my dishwater when washing dishes. > > Ever read the lable of most dishwashing liquids? “Don’t mix with bleach.” > > It contains ammonia, which makes a fairly nasty gas when you add bleach. > > Nobody ever reads the lable. \*\* **Samclem** , you’re supposed to put the bleach in the rinse water! Silly, silly Samclem… 😉 **Monster104** , 'round here we call 'em “incense burners”! **Cervaise** , the obligatory ROTFLMAO! 😃 Back to the topic… How many of you have “tested in an inconspicuous spot” prior to using fabric shampoo? No ya don’t! You just slather the foam all over & start cleaning. If it _does_ change color, you just say, “Man, that couch was dirtier than I thought!” ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/59 "2002-07-25T13:48:49Z")
**Toaster52** , you want someone to stick a butterknife in you to dislodge a piece of bread? Now THAT’S kinky! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/60 "2002-07-25T13:53:20Z")
“Serves one”. Not this one. The British army buys an AWFUL lot of condoms. Not for the obvious purpose, they go over the end of your rifle when youve cleaned it to stop you having to clean it again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627.md?page=4)