# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/61 "2002-07-25T17:52:16Z")
In the book Last Change to See, Douglas Adams mentions that the BBC recommends slipping a condom over a microphone to convert it to a hydrophone. He recanted how difficult it was to purchase condoms in China - all the druggists wanted to selll him some sort of oral birth control. ---
**Author:** ![Running\_with\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/62 "2002-07-25T17:59:57Z")
Whoops, that should be Last Chan **c** e to see… ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/63 "2002-07-25T20:22:02Z")
As a nervous flier, I find that it is the best policy to violate the prohibition against mixing valium and a double scotch. Once the dose is administered, the pilots can do barrel rolls through thunder storms and I’m actually enjoying it. Cervaise, you and I could exchange smoke signals. It’s impossible to use to much lighter fluid. ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/64 "2002-07-25T20:27:22Z")
As a nervous flier, I find that it is the best policy to violate the prohibition against mixing valium and a double scotch. Once the dose is administered, the pilots can do barrel rolls through thunder storms and I’m actually enjoying it. Cervaise, you and I could exchange smoke signals. It’s impossible to use to much lighter fluid. ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/65 "2002-07-25T20:28:26Z")
How did that happen? ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/66 "2002-07-25T21:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > **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.** Those “dope” seeds are also available in Canada. Most commonly in health food stores. They are _hemp_ seeds – yes, cannabis. They do not have the level of THC that could make you stoned. Conceivably, you could _try_ to germinate them, but you’d probably end up with a very sad, weedy little plant that likely won’t get you stoned, but as a controlled plant, _will_ get you arrested. Hemp seeds are _very_ high in protein and IIRC iron as well. I use to nibble on them at work the way one does sunflower seeds. I liked them cause they aren’t as messy (no shelling) but they have the annoying habit of rolling all over the place if you spill them. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/67 "2002-07-25T22:41:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Cervaise, you and I could exchange smoke signals. It’s impossible to use to much lighter fluid. I would tend to agree, with an exception made for whatever one substitutes when one is out of the correct stuff. I speak from experience: One time, I soaked the charcoal with white gas (i.e. camping fuel), and the _ **WHUMP** _ of ignition blew me halfway across the patio. ---
**Author:** ![Dravin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dravin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dravin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/68 "2002-07-25T23:40:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by malaka \* > \*\*I used to gargle and rinse my mouth with some kind of stuff that foamed up a lot. Can’t remember what it was called, tho. Hydroxide? Anyway…I’m pretty sure the bottle said something like, “Don’t put this in your mouth!”. > > And I’m just fine today! \ \*\* Actually, the bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide has on it’s label as directions for use, and I quote: > [@](#): > > May be used full strength or diluted with water as a gargle. Avoid swallowing and rinse with plain water after using. May also be used as a cleansing agent on minor cuts, scratches and abrasions of the skin. Now as for a contribution to the thread, who here actually just puts a pea-sized bit of toothpaste on their toothbrush? Who here always thoroughly rinses to reduce swallowing of said product? Also a can of mosquito get (OFF!) makes a handy dandy flamethrower. And my dad has used a car battery to start a fire before. And then there are of course all those times I’ve opened a packedge with a sharp object. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/69 "2002-07-26T00:33:44Z")
There is a brand of cotton swab for babies’ ears. It’s got a HUGE ball of cotton at either end so that you can’t stick it in too far. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2002, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/70 "2002-07-26T02:19:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Francesca \* > \*\ ***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. \*\* Well that’ll do it, I suppose. :o But still, who wants to wait 24 hours? I want crazy hair now, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/71 "2002-07-29T10:30:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Charmian \* > \*\* > Those “dope” seeds are also available in Canada. Most commonly in health food stores. They are _hemp_ seeds – yes, cannabis. They do not have the level of THC that could make you stoned. Conceivably, you could _try_ to germinate them, but you’d probably end up with a very sad, weedy little plant that likely won’t get you stoned, but as a controlled plant, _will_ get you arrested. > > \*\* Nope, not in the UK. They’re imported from Holland and are the real deal alright. It s a legal loophole. “Homegrown” is now very common. (And we’ve just decriminalised dope anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/72 "2002-07-29T11:53:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > \*\*Who hasn’t drank a beer and then operated large earth moving equipment. \*\* I’ve drunk beer and then had an earth moving experience… 😃 Personally, regardless of the rules we break, I think [these instructions](http://www.snopes2.com/humor/misxlate/tounge.htm) should be carried out to the letter… ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/73 "2002-07-29T16:10:45Z")
I have been known to hot-plug parallel and serial devices on computers, in direct violation of instructions to shut off power before doing so. I wasn’t paying attention and used a torque wrench to snap off a bolt holding on the oil pan of a car. Damnit! The instructions _said_ you wouldn’t hear the click, but I still listened for one. The bolt shaft is still stuck in the oil pan flange. Once I dumped some commercial cleaning liquid and some Clorox Clean-Up into a toilet at work. Good thing the bathroom had a fan in it. If I’m sitting in a roller chair, I prefer to wheel my way to the printer, someone else’s computer when they need help, etc. I’ve been yelled at for this. ---
**Author:** ![Pessor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pessor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pessor)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/74 "2002-07-29T21:02:46Z")
Two pages of abusing products and noone has mentioned sniffing glue to get high? Lacquer thinner? Scotch Guard? Q-tips… SHEESH! ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/75 "2002-07-30T00:49:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > \*\*… “Open cap and show container to stack of briquets. Wave hand above open container to transfer two micrograms of vapor to briquets.” Whereas in real life we just upend that bastard and squirt until there’s a puddle in the bottom of the grill. \*\* OK, I’ve stopped laughing now. It took me TWENTY MINUTES, but I’ve stopped. And I’m OK - my ribs will heal, honest. No wait, the giggles are coming back as I read it again - and think of how I barbeque… Thanks for the laugh, **Cervaise** I needed that today. As for me, I’m always using paint thininer and turpentine to clean paint and grease off my hands after doing a project around the house or in the garage - and I don’t call the poison control center when it comes in contact with skin or mucous membranes. (which, in fact, come to think of it, probably explains a lot about me…) ---
**Author:** ![Kalashnikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kalashnikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalashnikov)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/76 "2002-07-30T00:54:30Z")
Bag Balm [http://www.bagbalm.com/](http://www.bagbalm.com/) It’s a sort of petroleum jelly with antiseptic ingredients that is made, as the name and labeling show, for veterinary use, primarily cow’s udders. Many people including myself use it on themselves for minor rashes, chapping or abrasions. It’s so popular that they’ve started selling it in normal drugstores in a teeny tiny pocket sized tin - which, I believe, still says “for veterinary use only”. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/77 "2002-07-30T01:02:32Z")
Well, I wouldn’t say this happens often, as far as I know, but I had a roommate who was taught (by her mother, apparently an old family remedy) to, when she had a sore throat, gargle with PEROXIDE. She never understood why I found this so appalling. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/78 "2002-07-30T02:56:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by owlstretchingtime \* > \*\*And why chocolate wrapped in foil was such a big seller to very skinny people? \*\* I know I’m naive, but you lost me. Were they using the foil to cook some drug or other? ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/79 "2002-07-30T04:37:16Z")
Slight, momentary hijack… **Kalashnikov** , regarding Bag Balm, I wonder if this is a New England thing - I grew up in Maine and Massachusetts and I knew about Bag Balm from the time I was a little kid. It’s great for rope burns, chapped hands, “field foot” and all those other weather-induced, work aggravated maladies that get after your hands and feet. Out here where I live now, I can’t find three people who even know what the stuff is in the first place - when I do, they can’t believe that anyone would EVER use it on themselves! I just figure they don’t knwo a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2002, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627/80 "2002-07-30T09:47:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GilaB \* > \*\* > > I know I’m naive, but you lost me. Were they using the foil to cook some drug or other? \*\* Yup they use the foil to make crack pipes and/or to chase heroin. Also Junkies suffer from terrible constipation (think a life long diet of immodium) and chocolate is about the only thing they can eat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/products-most-often-used-in-direct-violation-of-package-directions/120627.md?page=5)