Toilet Paper Orientation | Over or Under?
: There are two choices of toilet paper orientation when using a toilet roll holder with a horizontal axle parallel to the wall: the toilet paper may hang over or under the roll. The choice is largely a matter of personal preference, dictated by habit. In surveys of American consumers and of bath and kitchen specialists, 60–70% of respondents prefer over.[1]
Despite being a trivial topic, people often hold strong opinions on the matter. Advice columnist Ann Landers said that the subject was the most controversial issue in her column's history. Defenders of either position cite advantages ranging from aesthetics, hospitality, and cleanliness; to paper conservation and the ease of detaching individual squares. Celebrities and experts are found on both sides. The reasons behind each person's choice have been analyzed by several studies with theories ranging from age, gender, socioeconomic status to political philosophy. It has also been suggested that preference for under may correlate with ownership of a recreational vehicle or a cat.[2]
Solutions range from compromise, to using separate dispensers or separate bathrooms entirely. One man advocates a plan under which his country will standardize on a single forced orientation, and at least one inventor hopes to popularize a new kind of toilet roll holder which swivels from one orientation to the other.[3]
Contents [hide]
1 Context and relevance
2 Preliminaries
3 Arguments
4 Survey results
5 Themes
5.1 Gender and age
5.2 Class and politics
5.3 Character
6 Consequences
7 Similar controversies
8 Solutions
8.1 Mechanical
8.2 Behavioral
9 Noted preferences
10 Notes
11 References
12 Further reading
13 External links
