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Ask the Etiquette Expert

Bathroom Etiquette

By September 17, 2015February 21st, 2022No Comments

Dear Diane,

I need your to help settle a bet. Ever since my husband and I got married, we haven’t been able to resolve the issue of whether or not the toilet paper should be folded under or over. It drives me nuts when he puts the roll with the paper facing underneath! I am accustomed to placing it with the paper rolling from the top, but he is adamant that his way is the right way. You can’t imagine how many “discussions” we’ve had about the topic, and no matter how hard I try, I keep finding the toilet paper facing the wrong way. Can you tell my husband, once and for all, that I’m right?
Samantha W.

Dear Samantha,

Yes, it’s one of life’s biggest debates—should the toilet paper extend over or under the roll? If you have been on vacation recently, you may have noticed that your hotel rolls the toilet paper over. They even take the time to fold a tight little triangle at the end of the roll, giving the illusion of special treatment. After all, it is an extra sign of attention to detail. This seemingly small step is enough to make you believe someone spent time ensuring your comfort on the porcelain throne.

For some people, toilet paper goes beyond single-ply or two-ply. Your bath tissue might have a design like Santa and his reindeer, and you wouldn’t want Mr. Claus to be flying through the sky upside down—regardless of your over or under inclination.

However, depending on how swiftly your roller unrolls (it may be as fast as a runaway train!), you might be more prone to the underneath method. The bottom line: it all comes down to personal preference. Restroom habits are greatly influenced by childhood memories and how your mother hung her roll of TP.

I wish you well and certainly hope you and your husband can find some common ground!

Diane

Diane Gottsman

Author Diane Gottsman

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