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Anus Anxiety or "Why Do People Buy Toilet Paper Like Maniacs?"

Poll - Total Votes: 25

Helen you are a deep thinker!

Helen you are totally dense.

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We need another Sigmund Freud to explain the significance of this present toilet paper madness. Really it cannot be understood in terms of rational thinking. There's something deeper behind it, an anxiety which is unknown to the conscious subject that purchases tons of toilet paper. It's a compulsive act. Buy more toilet paper. Still more toilet paper. The walls they build around themselves are not made of bricks, but of toilet paper rolls. They feel safe within. But why?

I believe they squeeze 500 rolls of toilet paper into their SUV's to wash away a perceived guilt. It is a defense response; not against the virus, but against the loss of control.

"I take no responsibility for what is happening. I am innocent. I am not guilty of this loss of control. I can prove it: my anus is clean." The present crisis is associated with faeces (the archetype of loss of control), and toilet paper is used as a shielding against it, to wash the dirt away, to regain control. Dr. Freud described this personalty type as the "anal-hoarding character". The unconscious "Id" hijacks the "Ego".

helenS, hobby psychoanalist.

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TexChik · F

😉😁

helenS · 36-40, F

@TexChik Very well said TexChick 🌸

CestManan · 46-50, F

@TexChik ...and there we have it.

BlueVeins · 22-25

I kinda like this, but I think the real reasons are more rational. Toilet paper doesn't expire when dry. It's an important creature comfort and most people would just feel really poor if they had to go without it. Stocking up on it doesn't really hurt. It's just the difference between spending a dollar today and a dollar in a month or so.

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malizz · 70-79, M

@BlueVeins Actually people stocking up has resulted in other people using alternatives that clog up the sewage system.

helenS · 36-40, F

@malizz The hoarders couldn't care less as long as they have enough supplies to keep their anuses clean.

BlueVeins · 22-25

@malizz ☝️🏿

carolinehugz · 46-50, F

I vaguely remember in the UK about 20 years ago striking lorry drivers blocking motorways and oil depots meaning there was a risk of shortages in shops and everyone went crazy buying kiwi fruits or at least so it seemed back then. 🤨

PhilDeep · 51-55, M

@carolinehugz Kiwi fruit?! I don't remember that. I really like Kiwi fruit too!

carolinehugz · 46-50, F

@PhilDeep I dont remember toilet roll stockpiling but maybe i cant remember the details of it all except relatively mild panic buying then. Maybe it was some news reported some weird fact about kiwi sales and thats what I remember from then.

UncleJlovesbrazil · 61-69, M

Covid-19 has nothing to do with a TP shortage. That was crazy!
Social distancing and hand washing and sanetizing is CAUTION. Whereas, masking is PARANOIA! Masks are NOT sanitary when worn more than once since germs are everywhere and always have been since the beginning of time.
Masks are only sanitary IF:
1- They are INDIVIDUALLY wrapped. If they are not, then when you open the unsanitized box, they already have been exposed to germs in the factory, outside, delivery trucks, outside again and in the store.
Even when you get them on your face, they are already full of germs.
2- they are ONLY WORN ONCE! Once you take them off, they should NOT be put back on!

helenS · 36-40, F

@UncleJlovesbrazil Fully agree with you on that. I purchased 10 boxes with 50 individually wrapped masks each. Each mask is used only once, for not more than 3 hours, because they tend to become wet and ugly after that time period.
Thank you for you sober comment! 🌷

Strictgram · 70-79, C

Now I know why UFO sightings are denied by governments around the world.

JohnnySpot · 56-60, M

Thee underlieing issues topple underestimated presentations of such savage instinct.

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helenS · 36-40, F

@JohnnySpot Oh, to me it sounds like a satire on a certain jargon, which is used by postmodern intellectuals.

JohnnySpot · 56-60, M

I'm trying to read Jonathan Swift's A Tale of a Tub.

helenS · 36-40, F

@JohnnySpot Congratulations! Good choice. Published in 1704. When writing a book still meant something.

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

The extreme hoarding was most likely due to people trying to turn a profit from reselling it at high prices. Some small neighborhood stores like Bodegas or corner stores might also be profiting plus Amazon or Ebay sellers. I also think those with group homes my have decided to stock up since they would be responsible for hygiene supplies for many people.

AuRevoir · 36-40, M

I think the panic starts when someone sees one person buying a lot of one thing.

Then they start thinking they wont have any for themselves if other start buying the very same item like that person just did.

And that mentality is more contagious than corona itself and just shoots off from there.

helenS · 36-40, F

@AuRevoir A self-fulfilling prophecy?

texasmentor54 · 70-79, M

Because they are idiots...I mean, look at what they elected 🤔

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texasmentor54 · 70-79, M

@Strictgram I was thinking Donald tRUMP myself. 😜

Strictgram · 70-79, C

@texasmentor54 I knew that but no shortage of morons in the political class.

texasmentor54 · 70-79, M

@Strictgram True enough! 👍️

jackson55 · M

H, I’ve heard there’s a coin shortage here in the US now. Coins are the new toilet paper.

helenS · 36-40, F

@jackson55 At least there is no shortage of nice guys like you in the US! 😁

jackson55 · M

@helenS Well thanks Hellen. 😘

JohnnySpot · 56-60, M

I think it means, look out for your own ass;

Just use good old water and clean it.

nevergiveup · M

i dont need toilet paper.

helenS · 36-40, F

@nevergiveup There are working alternatives, yes. We don't really need it.

jackson55 · M

TP, ammo and beer. I’m set. 😉

Interesting

helenS · 36-40, F

@questionWeaver Unfinished.

PhilDeep · 51-55, M

Sky did a report in which three psychologists presented their views on this, about a week ago, I think...

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-why-are-people-panic-buying-and-why-toilet-paper-11952397

helenS · 36-40, F

@PhilDeep Thank you, will read. 🌸

Shipwrecked · 46-50, M

...I would have thought that all these shenanigans, might have driven bidet sales through the roof! 😁

🙄

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Shipwrecked · 46-50, M

@helenS ...strangeness, guaranteed! Lol!

helenS · 36-40, F

@Shipwrecked More than seven billion rolls of toilet paper are sold yearly in the United States. Toilets like the one you've posted would get us rid of millions of tons of paper which go into the waste water.

Shipwrecked · 46-50, M

@helenS Hmmm...🤔 We can save the planet AND get an exciting little squirt?! I'm in!! Lol!

saragoodtimes · F

people are buying so much toilet paper just in case this pandemic leads to the end of the world. if you have to kiss your ass goodbye you want to make sure it's clean

helenS · 36-40, F

@saragoodtimes Hmmm... but why don't they hoard hundreds of toothpaste tubes? Don't they want to make sure their teeth are clean, after the apocaplypse?

Dominus · 36-40, M

The flaw in your first paragraph is expecting human beings to have "rational thinking."

The second paragraph is a very savvy observation 🧐

helenS · 36-40, F

@Dominus "Where id was there shall ego be."
Dr. S. Freud

SW-User

You're so anal @helenS.... As well you know 🤨🤭😉

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SW-User

@helenS if you follow Freud I stuck at oral (why I'm alchololic) because my brother nearly died of measles, meningitis and complications in my first year of life. So I was denied satisfaction at the oral stage.

helenS · 36-40, F

@SW-User Yes in fact I think that
(a) Dr. Freud's theories are still relevant today
(b) psychoanalysis needs to be updated.
... and I believe the toilet paper craziness is a perfect example, as outlined in my original post.

SW-User

@helenS one of the problems is to conduct Random Controlled Clinical Trials to provide comparable evidence which is so difficult with talking therapy due to the inconsistencies in application etc.

ninjavu · 51-55, M

I think you're onto something, but I'm labelling you "totally dense" for now! 😂

YMITheWayIM · 46-50, M

I can get you a pack of 12 for just 6 U$D. Then I think why bother?

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Zonuss · 46-50, M

Because they fear martial law. So this is why people are buying up everything. This is the real reason why.

helenS · 36-40, F

@Zonuss That's just a pretext, in my opinion. And they don't buy up everything, they hoard toilet paper rolls.

Zonuss · 46-50, M

@helenS In some stores it's not just toilet paper.

This message was deleted by its author.

helenS · 36-40, F

@Earthwrap Your second paragraph indicates that the explanation given in your first paragraph isn't fully satisfying.

This message was deleted by its author.

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