# Why are Bic pens with green ink not available in the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 29, 2016, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190 "2016-09-29T09:44:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/21 "2016-09-29T16:27:54Z")
I hope you at least smuggled in a box of 50 at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/22 "2016-09-29T16:28:19Z")
Maybe The Grapist rounded all of them up. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/23 "2016-09-29T16:33:18Z")
**BIC GREEN GOOSE EGG _Lime is for Limeys, Says Prominent Pen Pusher_** ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/24 "2016-09-29T16:58:26Z")
I’ve got a package here of 15 Bic Cristal Xtra Bold pens that I got from Target a year or two ago ([looks like they still sell it](http://www.target.com/p/bic-cristal-15ct-asst-ballpoint-stick-pen/-/A-14932348)). It includes two shades of green, two shades of blue, black, purple, red and pink. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/25 "2016-09-29T18:57:17Z")
thirty five years ago, when medical charting was still done by hand, we used the round sticks in the nursing home that was my college job. First shift was black or blur, second shift, green and third shift was red. The facility bought them by the case. With charting done electronically, along with other notation type jobs, perhaps the market just isn’t what it used to be. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/26 "2016-09-29T19:00:25Z")
This is an outrage!!! Americans everywhere should be angry over what can only be an intentional slap in the face to our rights. Not to mention a possible legal violation regarding discrimination on the basis of color! ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/27 "2016-09-29T19:26:57Z")
More breaking news… **Verboten Verde Vexes Vermont, Vendors Vacillate!** ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/28 "2016-09-29T20:21:43Z")
\*\*I like heliotrope! \*\* ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/29 "2016-09-29T20:30:44Z")
I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a green pen, other than as part of those multicolor novelty pens where there’s a switch you push down for each color. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/30 "2016-09-29T21:16:29Z")
The only pen worth using, the Pilot G-2, is available in three different greens, plus teal and turquoise. If you insist on ballpoint, the Pentel R.S.V.P. comes in green. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/31 "2016-09-29T22:14:49Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The only pen worth using, the Pilot G-2, is available in three different greens, plus teal and turquoise. > > If you insist on ballpoint, the Pentel R.S.V.P. comes in green. I buy G-2s by the box and lock them away. I never understand why almost every “gimme” pen is black ink. I HATE black ink. I always use blue or some other color because I want my original work to be instantly distinguishable from a photocopy. Hence, the blue, green, red, purple, or brown ink. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/32 "2016-09-29T22:15:20Z")
Weird. I have a green BIC Cristal sitting right in front of me. I’m not 100% sure when I bought it, but I’m guessing within the last year or so. I guess they must have stopped selling it in that time. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2016, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/33 "2016-09-29T22:16:24Z")
[It was in this pack I bought at Staples](http://www.staples.com/BIC-Cristal-Ballpoint-Stick-Pens-Bold-Point-Assorted-Fashion-Colors-24-Pack/product_440689). Maybe you can only get them in that assortment pack? ---
**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:** [September 29, 2016, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/34 "2016-09-29T22:23:22Z")
> [@Santos\_L\_Halper](#): > > I’ve got a package here of 15 Bic Cristal Xtra Bold pens that I got from Target a year or two ago ([looks like they still sell it](http://www.target.com/p/bic-cristal-15ct-asst-ballpoint-stick-pen/-/A-14932348)). It includes two shades of green, two shades of blue, black, purple, red and pink. Whoops. Looks like that’s the same thing I bought at Staples. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/35 "2016-09-30T10:28:39Z")
Its a basic safety issue. BIC arent allowed to import green pens into US until it clearly says on side ‘Do not stab self in face or eyes with sharp end of pen’. Also they were sued for mental anguish by someone who used one to stir their coffee and it bled green ink. True facts. * * * _I have the best words._ ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/36 "2016-09-30T11:10:29Z")
Just to stir the pot, I’ve used plenty of the 4-color Bics over the years, and the green ink almost invariably sucks in line quality when compared to the other three. I have no idea why that should be, but the green ink always drags or skips. Fairly irritating. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/37 "2016-09-30T12:11:24Z")
> [@Totenfeier](#): > > Just to stir the pot, I’ve used plenty of the 4-color Bics over the years, and the green ink almost invariably sucks in line quality when compared to the other three. I have no idea why that should be, but the green ink always drags or skips. Fairly irritating. Don’t use pens to stir pots with. The grease/fat clogs the passages that the ink is supposed to flow through. ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190/38 "2016-09-30T15:02:06Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Don’t use pens to stir pots with. The grease/fat clogs the passages that the ink is supposed to flow through. Tee-hee-oh-hee-hee. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-bic-pens-with-green-ink-not-available-in-the-us/767190.md?page=1)