Toilet Paper — a Singaporean Obsession
Recently, I had several scintillating conversations around toilet paper with fellow Singaporeans. Most of the conversations started with the reasonably innocuous “So what did you do this weekend”, which more often than not, these days, will run its natural course to “What’s good to do in JB”, as Singaporeans attempt to take shelter from goods inflation by spreading it to our neighbours to the north.
And to answer the latter question, the unanimous opinion from a sample size of four is: buy toilet paper. Yes, apparently, one of the most sensible, economical and Singaporean things to do in Johor is to buy toilet paper. You buy toilet paper if you drive across the Courseway to do your weekly grocery shopping. You buy toilet paper if you do a once in three monthly work trip to Xin Shan. You buy toilet paper when you have the means and opportunity to purchase and transport large bulky pieces of pulp with passport.
Sure, the theoretical divide three exchange rate is not unattractive — but that applies to a good number of goods and services; why the popularity of toilet paper in particular? Are Singaporeans in dire need of cleaning equipment? Are there more varieties of the good stuff in JB? Perhaps better bulk packaging or exotic brands? Someone offered the suggestion that people might view toilet paper as non-perishable — and thus something that could easily be stocked for a rainy day and fairly inelastic in demand.
Were Singaporeans *re-selling* the toilet paper? As far as I could tell, no; these were for home use. Which is even more puzzling because as non-perishable items go — toilet paper rolls are fairly bulky items that will take up serious real estate in space-crunched Singaporean homes.
This called to mind the toilet paper stockpiling saga at the start of COVID. Of all things, Singaporeans chose to stock up on toilet paper. Not rice, not flour, not tins of tuna. Toilet paper. That is the emergency good selection of the astute Singaporean, and in fact, was a global phenomenon⁴.
I resolved to get to the bottom of this mystery — to understand the psyche of the Singaporean and the indispensability of toilet paper.
If toilet paper had become a symbol of safety during COVID times; are we then in a permanent state of emergency?
Purely on reflection, it seems like the obsession with toilet paper translates from an obsession with cleanliness. And the essential need for cleanliness in the dirtiest of places, the toilet.
I have to admit, me myself — I like to judge shopping malls by the design, cleanliness and accessibility of its toilets. Admittedly, a good design can improve maintainability, which in turn translates to above par cleanliness — so these factors are interrelated¹.
Secondarily, there are different grades of toilet paper: 2-ply, 3-ply, 4-ply. Embossed, recycled, from virgin pulp. So purchasing these items at an economical rate allows for a more luxurious selection of the good itself. You can buy more; but you can also buy something that would have costed more otherwise, catapulting yourself into a higher “socio-economic” class². At least whilst you are in the comfort of your bathroom.
Speaking of catapulting to a higher SES (socio-economic status) — why not go all out and purchase visible items like clothes and luxury goods instead? Wasn’t that the point of being in a higher SES, so that other people view you as such?
In flip-flop, berms and T-shirt Singapore, the answer turns out to be no. Maybe Singaporeans don’t judge people by the clothes they wear (comparatively speaking)⁵. Maybe Singaporeans view brands as a way of belonging to sub-cultures, rather than socio-economic classes. Maybe JB just isn’t the right place for luxury goods (I hear that’s KL).
Granted, Singaporeans have improved their presentability over the years, but it still appears more important that one *feels* high SES, rather than look it. And if that is so, that’s the undeniable Singaporean practicality and kampung spirit right there.
If there’s one thing I would like to keep forever — it’s this. To stay ignorant of having to appear a certain way whilst still being discerning. To be presentable but not judgemental. To prioritise the things that matter — family, cleanliness, a standard of living that includes nutrition and prioritises comfort over appearance. “Hygiene factors”, as one might call it.
It’s not that we don’t covet luxury, but it’s a luxury that satisfies ourselves without need for external validation or further comparison. We don’t need to pretend to be something in front of someone. Basic needs must be met first. We must first and foremost be convinced of the luxuriousness of the good; and then we are completely satisfied. It’s a kind of pure earthiness.
This is in line with Singapore’s philosophy of “freedom from”, and not just “freedom to”. It’s a freedom from poverty, disease, rancour. Of substance over form, if you will.
This National Day month (yes, this article comes two weeks past the actual day): Wishing Singapore an abundance of clean, prosperous and (paper-)plentiful years ahead!
Footnotes
[1] Two essentials apart from the obvious plumbing necessities: Paper towels and a no-touch exit.
For example, I’ve noticed that toilets that don’t provide paper hand towels get a lot dirtier quicker as people fling water from their handwashes onto the floors. And then everyone steps on the small puddles. Urgh.
And toilets that require a hand to pull or push open on exit just defeats the purpose of hand-washing.
Interestingly, I’ve had two separate conversations with other Singaporeans on toilet design — another sign of an overall passion for toilets?
[2] Though this could be said for almost any good; thus a secondary point.
[3] It seems enthusiasm for toilet paper is not merely limited to Singapore.
[4] NCBI Article: Why did all the toilet paper disappear?
[5] Perfect.
