TP Barnum

Yes, that's TP, not PT. PT was the guy attributed with saying "there's a sucker born every minute". Well, the cheap-ass toilet paper lobby found their suckers in those that order the crap for campus buildings. Instead of normal toilet paper, all stalls seem to be converted to the non-absorbent, narrow, non-perforated giant roll encased in a plastic, high-security dispenser.

I'm sure the price per foot is lower, and there was some deal on the dispenser purchase, but what a classic case of penny-wise and pound-foolish. Using this new tissue (suitable only for gift wrapping) is an experience in inefficiency. Not only does it take more footage to do the job, but it takes more time. Time that some of us are supposed to be devoting to producing value for the campus. What are the odds that staff, spending more time in the closing moments of their deposit, will stay late to make up that time? Not bloody likely. Digging the roll-end out of the dispenser is a treat. Getting the right length on the first try is rare, so there are multiple attempts to get a sufficient thickness built up. Because the roll is narrower, to get the same volume as before requires more footage. Because its non-absorbent, even more footage is needed to make sure the effort was worthwhile.

So, how many complaints are lodged? Probably somewhere less than 1. Who wants to be known as the person having trouble taking care of business? And it's not like there's an anonymous comments card handy. Unless you want to write it on the TP since it's not suited for its intended purpose.

Wipers of the world unite!!!!!!