# toilet paper packaging- why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796 "2000-07-25T16:51:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/1 "2000-07-25T16:51:39Z")
Why do virtually all toilet paper wrappers have a picture of baby on them? What the heck do babies have to do with toilet paper? I associate diapers and moist wipes with babies. I have had experience with babies. TP is the worst thing to use to clean their behinds. It leaves little rolls of paper particles all over thier butt. I have a WAG that is somehow associated with the old cliche, “soft as a baby’s bottom.” I still don’t see the relevance however. Hey, let’s put a baby’s mugshot on on some 10W40 Pennzoil while were at it! I can see it now, “Our oil runs as smooth as a baby’s pee!” Duh!!! ---
**Author:** ![KimKatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/2 "2000-07-25T17:03:11Z")
Didja ever hear the one about Gerber (I think) baby food in Africa? Note - This may well be an urban legend. Who cares, it’s still funny. Seems Gerber started selling baby food in Africa. They decided to stick with the same packaging used in America - you know, the cutesy little blond baby face. This was a marketing mistake of rather large proportions - as in Africa, so the story goes, the item inside the can/jar is always pictured on the label for those folks who can’t read. Heh heh heh. Anyway, MSK, what would you rather have them put on the packaging? I vote for a lovely shot of the full moon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/3 "2000-07-25T18:52:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KimKatt \* > \*\* > > Anyway, MSK, what would you rather have them put on the packaging? > > I vote for a lovely shot of the full moon. 😃 \*\* I vote for just the darned name brand. Use all the fancy colors and lettering you want. I just don’t see the need for a baby plastered on all of them. IIRC Scott tissue, is the only one that doesn’t have a babyface plastered on it. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/4 "2000-07-25T19:01:18Z")
_giggling hysterically_ Okay, MSK. Picture the front of Scott tissue with a pissed off serviceman with his foot in an Italian toilet. Forgive me, Chief…I couldn’t resist. I’m so sorry… ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/5 "2000-07-25T19:05:43Z")
I just looked and my package is covered with little swirls and zigzags and things that are either stars or flowers. ---
**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, 2000, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/6 "2000-07-25T19:09:23Z")
matt\_mcl: > [@](#): > > I just looked and my package is covered with little swirls and zigzags and things that are either stars or flowers I suggest you see a urologist immediately 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MagicalSilverKey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@MagicalSilverKey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicalSilverKey)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/7 "2000-07-25T19:14:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Manduck \* > \*\*matt\_mcl: > > > [@](#): > > > > I just looked and my package is covered with little swirls and zigzags and things that are either stars or flowers > > I suggest you see a urologist immediately 😃 \*\* ROFLMAO 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/8 "2000-07-25T19:16:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by struuter \* > \*\*Picture the front of Scott tissue with a pissed off serviceman with his foot in an Italian toilet. > \*\* Ohmigod! Are you telling me that OUR **ChiefScott** is the heir to the great toilet paper fortune? I must start cozying up to him immediately! (Pssst… **Manduck**. Nice one, man. Being the harsh stoic type, I don’t often laugh out loud at my monitor.) ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/9 "2000-07-25T19:21:02Z")
KimKatt, it’s not only an UL, it’s a racist UL. Check it out at [http://www.snopes.com/business/market/babyfood.htm](http://www.snopes.com/business/market/babyfood.htm) ---
**Author:** ![jayron\_32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/41988e/32.png) [@jayron\_32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayron_32)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/10 "2000-07-25T19:21:27Z")
> [@](#): > > I just looked and my package is covered with little swirls and zigzags and things that are either > stars or flowers > > ``` > I suggest you see a urologist immediately > > ``` Thanks, I just laughed so hard everyone in the office is looking at me funny. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/11 "2000-07-25T22:08:57Z")
Just a WAG, but if it’s soft for your baby’s face, it’s soft enough for your ass. ---
**Author:** ![KimKatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@KimKatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KimKatt)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/12 "2000-07-26T01:51:19Z")
I take back my vote, and vote for **struuter’s** suggestion instead. LOL **pepperlandgirl** , no offense intended. To me the story would have been funny no matter which country/area they had used - even Newfoundland 🙂 **Manduck** - cheers. Another LOL. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/13 "2000-07-26T03:10:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*Just a WAG, but if it’s soft for your baby’s face, it’s soft enough for your ass. \*\* Hmm… the brand I use has a tattooed biker with a cigaret in his mouth… Something I always wondered about. Why the perfect little squares? And why the emphasis on how many? **500** to the roll! { **750** sheets…? \*\*Are you supposed to use them **individually**? But, there are never any instructions on how to use them. I mean, most of them are called bathroom tissue, not tiolet paper. They’re referred to as being of “facial quality” in some packaging. It’s the year 2000 and nobody calls them what they are. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/14 "2000-07-26T03:12:21Z")
I’ll bite. Why are the last lines of that post bold? I didn’t bold them, and my signature isn’t bold. ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/15 "2000-07-26T03:15:09Z")
Never mind, I found it. Er, well, carry on, all. Don’t mind me… ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/16 "2000-07-26T05:30:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Something I always wondered about. Why the perfect little squares? And why the emphasis on how many? **500** to the roll! { **750** sheets…? \*\* /hijack/ Years and years and years ago when my father was in the Navy for his 3 years 11 months and 19 days he and his buddies got bored on a Med cruise and decided to count the number of sheets on a roll of toilet paper. Turns out that there were only 743 sheets on that roll of 750 sheet and the company sent 7 cases of John Wayne toilet paper to AD-41. /hijack off/ ---
**Author:** ![NickyLarson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b2d939/32.png) [@NickyLarson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NickyLarson)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/17 "2000-07-26T10:04:58Z")
With John Wayne’s picture on it, imagine how soft it must be! ---
**Author:** ![SouthernStyle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@SouthernStyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouthernStyle)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2000, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/18 "2000-07-26T12:44:12Z")
Sorry to barge in at the last minute, but I’ve been in another forum. It looks like **NickyLarson** doesn’t know the punchline. Should we keep Nick in the dark a while longer??? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Vega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a9adbd/32.png) [@Lord\_Vega](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Vega)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-paper-packaging-why/26796/19 "2000-07-27T03:41:23Z")
Like the Duke, it’s rough as hell and won’t take shit off of no one. V.