# What is the correct way to load a roll of toilet paper on the dispenser?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 24, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419 "2002-11-24T00:57:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Greenpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenpiece)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/21 "2002-11-24T23:27:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Y.T \*
> \*\*No,no,no.
> You just leave the roll on the floor and pick it up when you need it.
>
> That way you always get a little suprise when you look for it. \*\*
That’s if you want to use the toilet paper… there are plenty of amusing alternatives if you feel inventive… 😃 😃
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### Author:  [@Roark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roark)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/22 "2002-11-24T23:27:34Z")
This is quite a coincidence - I spent several hours discussing this topic with my friends a few nights ago. We came to the conclusion that the correct way to hang the toilet paper had to be facing the front. This shows that you are comfortable with the idea of toilet paper, and want to make it as accessible as possible to guests in your house who have chosen to use your toilet (there can be no denying that its a lot easier to get a sheet of toilet paper if its facing you, than it is if its facing the wall).
My friend made the very valid point that having the toilet roll hang at the rear is a sign of deep rooted subconcious sexual insecurity. What you are really demonstrating is that you are ashamed of the toilet paper, and of the human excretement function in general. By trying to “hide the toilet paper away” by making it deliberately inaccessible, you are acting like you are embarassed to have the toilet paper in the first place. Although you accept the obvious necessity for toilet paper existing (you could hardly walk around with a smelly bum all day), you see it as a regrettable part of human nature, rather than being a perfectly natural process that has nothing to be ashamed of. This shows a serious level of discomfort with the human body, which I can only assume manifests itself in other areas, such as during sexual intercourse. If you arent happy with your own body and its functions, how can you truly interact with another in a meaningful way.
So yeah, I think having it roll over to the front is definitely the best way.
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### Author:  [@Greenpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenpiece)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/23 "2002-11-24T23:30:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Roark \*
> \*\*
> My friend made the very valid point that having the toilet roll hang at the rear is a sign of deep rooted subconcious sexual insecurity. What you are really demonstrating is that you are ashamed of the toilet paper, and of the human excretement function in general. By trying to “hide the toilet paper away” by making it deliberately inaccessible, you are acting like you are embarassed to have the toilet paper in the first place. Although you accept the obvious necessity for toilet paper existing (you could hardly walk around with a smelly bum all day), you see it as a regrettable part of human nature, rather than being a perfectly natural process that has nothing to be ashamed of. This shows a serious level of discomfort with the human body, which I can only assume manifests itself in other areas, such as during sexual intercourse. If you arent happy with your own body and its functions, how can you truly interact with another in a meaningful way.
>
> So yeah, I think having it roll over to the front is definitely the best way. \*\*
Personally, I think that having toilet paper at all shows sexual insecurity… it means that you’re worried what your partner might think about the state of your behind… Why care?? Be free, live like nature intended. 🆒
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### Author:  [@Roark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roark)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/24 "2002-11-24T23:33:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Greenpiece \*
> \*\*Personally, I think that having toilet paper at all shows sexual insecurity… it means that you’re worried what your partner might think about the state of your behind… Why care?? Be free, live like nature intended. 🆒 \*\*
Well yeah, its a valid point. However, I think that toilet paper existing is a sign of how far humanity has progressed. A few hundred years ago, people had to walk around smelling disgusting, or resort to more messy methods like using leaves or whatever to clean themselves. The fact that we, as a society, recognised the need for an essential product like toilet paper, and were able to produce enough of it to satisfy us, shows remarkable progress and innovation.
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### Author:  [@Sarina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarina)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/25 "2002-11-24T23:35:34Z")
Do you think ‘moist toilet paper’ is a step too far?
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### Author:  [@Y.T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Y.T)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/26 "2002-11-24T23:36:20Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Roark \*
> \*\*Well yeah, its a valid point. However, I think that toilet paper existing is a sign of how far humanity has progressed. A few hundred years ago, people had to walk around smelling disgusting, or resort to more messy methods like using leaves or whatever to clean themselves. The fact that we, as a society, recognised the need for an essential product like toilet paper, and were able to produce enough of it to satisfy us, shows remarkable progress and innovation. \*\*
Personally I use those free newspapers/AOL disks you get through the door.
cheaper and more effective than store bought loo roll.
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### Author:  [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2002, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/27 "2002-11-24T23:59:08Z")
[marge]
Mmm! [reading] “Squalid hell hole?” “Toilet paper hung in improper overhand fashion?”
[/marge]
Myself, I prefer overhand. But que sera sera.
This reminds me of an article in my university’s student newspaper a year or two ago. Someone wrote an article about how the custodial staff gives us more choice in our educations than the university administration does. We have no say in the politics, but in every washroom stall in the Students’ Union Building there are two rolls of TP - one overhand, one underhand!
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### Author:  [@Greenpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenpiece)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/28 "2002-11-25T00:00:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Y.T \*
> \*\*Personally I use those free newspapers/AOL disks you get through the door.
>
> cheaper and more effective than store bought loo roll. \*\*
I believe that arabs use their left hands… which seems strange for a people often far from running water.
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### Author:  [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/29 "2002-11-25T00:21:41Z")
Thank yous to all the Dopers for their responses,and thanks to the Moderator for moving and re-titleing the thread
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/30 "2002-11-25T00:24:35Z")
> [@](#):
>
> My friend made the very valid point that having the toilet roll hang at the rear is a sign of deep rooted subconcious sexual insecurity.
I think that’s an unsupported assertion that strains credibiity. Mightily so.
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### Author:  [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/31 "2002-11-25T01:52:19Z")
\*\*MEBuckner wrote:
Moderator’s Note: The correct answer is that it is a matter of individual preference. \*\*
I disagree. The correct response is: “Yes, honey I’ll put the toilet paper on the roller the way **YOU** do it!”
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### Author:  [@Greenpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenpiece)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/32 "2002-11-25T10:29:29Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ringo \*
> \*\*I think that’s an unsupported assertion that strains credibiity. Mightily so. \*\*
Well you obviously hand your toilet role at the rear then. :eek:
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### Author:  [@NardoPolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NardoPolo)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/33 "2002-11-25T11:25:32Z")
The proper way is over the top.
When visiting a friend’s bathroom, I give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that it may have been placed backwards as a simple oversight. So I gladly fix it for them.
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### Author:  [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/34 "2002-11-25T13:39:28Z")
Let’s put it this way- suppose you have a little poop on your hand as you reach for the TP. Wouldn’t you rather have the paper as far from the wall as you could to avoid messing the wall? Over the top is the way to hang it.
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### Author:  [@EchoKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EchoKitty)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/35 "2002-11-25T13:49:26Z")
We have cats – against the wall is the way to go. Although, I have a friend who changes it every time he takes a dump at our house (usually Saturday morning). So I change his when we’re over there.
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### Author:  [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/36 "2002-11-25T16:48:18Z")
Over the top.
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### Author:  [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/37 "2002-11-25T16:56:02Z")
Over the top.
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/38 "2002-11-25T18:07:02Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Well you obviously hand your toilet role at the rear then.
This is a tough one to interpret. Anyone?
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### Author:  [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/39 "2002-11-25T18:11:07Z")
\*\*Naddahappycamper \*\* ARGH! I thought of this very topic recent, whilst on the throne, and wanted to post it here to see what the consensus would be.
Poop.
( Over the top, IMHO.)
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### Author:  [@Greenpiece](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenpiece)
#### Post date: [November 25, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-correct-way-to-load-a-roll-of-toilet-paper-on-the-dispenser/138419/40 "2002-11-25T18:49:27Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ringo \*
> \*\*This is a tough one to interpret. Anyone? \*\*
read the rest of the thread.
It should become clear.
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