# Why do women hold folded toilet paper, not leaving it on the roll, when using a public toilet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2013, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540 "2013-02-27T19:01:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/41 "2013-02-28T19:38:36Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’m beginning to wonder where I can find some of this wonderful loud toilet paper. My store only carries the silent kind. TP doesn’t make noise, but some TP holders make noise when you turn them - it can be pretty loud and it’s much more common in the industrial-sized ones from public bathrooms than in domestic ones. And since it’s all plastic parts and the problem is that they don’t fit well, WD40 won’t help. As well as the reasons **gigi** mentioned, sometimes there is also: 7) whomever positioned the TP holder should be hung from his big toes upside-down until said toes (or rather, the rest of him) fall off. The only place which would have been more inconvenient is directly on the floor. Last weekend I stayed in a hotel where reaching the TP holder from the throne involved some strange gymnastics - the first time I grabbed some TP before sitting down, but as soon as I was done, I took the roll of TP from its holder and placed it on top of the tank. As inconvenient as this spot was, it was less bad than the original one! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/42 "2013-02-28T19:53:51Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > TP doesn’t make noise, but some TP holders make noise when you turn them - it can be pretty loud and it’s much more common in the industrial-sized ones from public bathrooms than in domestic ones. And since it’s all plastic parts and the problem is that they don’t fit well, WD40 won’t help. I’ve dealt with some pretty odd and inconvenient dispensers before (and I wholeheartedly agree about hanging that dude from his toes), but I have no recollection of one that was loud enough to cover up the sound of me peeing. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/43 "2013-02-28T19:57:52Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I’ve dealt with some pretty odd and inconvenient dispensers before (and I wholeheartedly agree about hanging that dude from his toes), but I have no recollection of one that was loud enough to cover up the sound of me peeing. You just have to tap out a tune on the dispenser while intermittently peeing in tap-long bursts. It’s easy once you get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/44 "2013-02-28T20:01:59Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > You just have to tap out a tune on the dispenser while intermittently peeing in tap-long bursts. It’s easy once you get used to it. And thus I widen my vast musical talents. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/45 "2013-02-28T20:04:46Z")
A WAG as to why there might be a gender difference here: clothing and/or front-vs-back wiping. When I’m sitting on the throne and get up to wipe a Number 2, I need to deal with my shirt (or shirts if have an undershirt on) since they are in the way, as men’s shirts usually go a good bit below the waist. I need my hands free for this, so I would never think to get paper yet. A lot of women’s tops stop at the waist. Further, a woman that wipes from the front can reach under a hanging shirt anyway, so even if her shirt is a little long, no prob – get the paper ready! Wiping the back-end with a man-length shirt that hasn’t been manipulated out of the way is a recipe for disaster. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/46 "2013-02-28T22:02:54Z")
> [@Pasta](#): > > When I’m sitting on the throne and get up to wipe a Number 2… See, that is where you are going wrong. There is no reason to “get up” to wipe. I say this as a guy. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/47 "2013-02-28T22:09:41Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > See, that is where you are going wrong. There is no reason to “get up” to wipe. I say this as a guy. Huh. I had no idea guys (at least one, apparently) got up to wipe?! ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/48 "2013-02-28T23:24:30Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > See, that is where you are going wrong. There is no reason to “get up” to wipe. I say this as a guy. Do you attack from the front or the back? Either way: fascinating. (Someone should run a poll.) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/49 "2013-02-28T23:33:05Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > We’re multi-tasking. What else are we going to do while we’re sitting? Not enough time to balance a checkbook. You can do what men do with every spare moment - think about sex. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/50 "2013-02-28T23:40:08Z")
> [@Pasta](#): > > Do you attack from the front or the back? Either way: fascinating. (Someone should run a poll.) This thread approaches TMI. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![expectopatronum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/expectopatronum/32/173_2.png) [@expectopatronum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/expectopatronum)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/51 "2013-03-01T01:19:17Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Dunno what the fuck you’re talking about, unless it’s just old women? I (and the chicks I know) tend to pay for groceries with plastic (debit, mostly). And as to my behavior in particular, I get that shit swiped and have entered my pin before they’re even done ringing me up. yeah, what she said. pretty douche thing to say, **Colophon** , and it’s not even based in reality. ---
**Author:** ![Jungian\_Camisole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@Jungian\_Camisole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jungian_Camisole)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/52 "2013-03-01T01:21:11Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > See subject. It’s my impression, in general. Also at home? > > I don’t believe men do at all. > Do not ask where and how I’ve come to these conclusions. We’re preparing for battle. You don’t know what happens… _down there_. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/53 "2013-03-01T14:01:22Z")
> [@Pasta](#): > > Do you attack from the front or the back? Either way: fascinating. (Someone should run a poll.) I don’t think it is very easy for guys to attack from the front. I can’t see how that could be easier. Yes, we need a poll, with lots of different TMI options. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2013, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/54 "2013-03-01T14:04:20Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Huh. I had no idea guys (at least one, apparently) got up to wipe?! We don’t. That’s just weird. A real man\* leans\*. ---
**Author:** ![TheBori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee7513/32.png) [@TheBori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBori)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/55 "2013-03-02T23:21:14Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > We don’t. That’s just weird. A real man\* leans\*. Amen brother. From the front?? There’s stuff in the way. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/56 "2013-03-03T02:10:51Z")
And folds? Scrunches? A real man wraps toilet paper around his hand like a mummified boxing glove and works his arm like a jigsaw. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/57 "2013-03-04T06:36:21Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I believe it was in the Ayatollah Khomeni’s book a health guide for young men, where he advocated pushing just below and behind your “equipment” 3 times to help prevent post-urinal drip. The _Playboy Adviser_ gave the exact same advice! ---
**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:** [March 4, 2013, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/58 "2013-03-04T07:41:01Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Dunno what the fuck you’re talking about, unless it’s just old women? I (and the chicks I know) tend to pay for groceries with plastic (debit, mostly). And as to my behavior in particular, I get that shit swiped and have entered my pin before they’re even done ringing me up. I knew there was a connection between using a toilet and buying groceries. It’s all in the swiping. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/59 "2013-03-04T08:14:54Z")
> [@TheBori](#): > > Amen brother. From the front?? There’s stuff in the way. Of course not from the front. But I still don’t see the sitting down approach. If you scooch forward enough to get in from the back, stuff’s gonna, you know, touch the bowl. I guess by “lean” you mean [like this](http://www.virginmedia.com/images/115525-side-wheel-driving-car-dist-431x300.jpg). Meh. I’d rather do a half-stand hover-squat sort of thing and have clear access to the region of interest. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540/60 "2013-03-05T05:46:16Z")
What’s all this about loud paper-folding as sonic white noise? Rather, flush in exact timing to poop going down in mid-air. (I had no idea that the sound of pee was worth covering up in women’s stalls. See? And I’m the pervy OP.) Revealing noise gone, and, equally important, a mercy flush for self and others. A two-fer. When I’m King this will be the law of the land. And I will be remembered as Leo the Beneficent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-women-hold-folded-toilet-paper-not-leaving-it-on-the-roll-when-using-a-public-toilet/651540.md?page=4)