It's amazing how in less than 48 hours one can come up with almost a week's worth of writings just due to the events they have experienced in their life.
Last night as I was sitting at dinner with some awesome friends, I reflected for a few minutes on my time in South Korea. I was reflecting specifically on how toilet paper was utilized so much in South Korea. Many Asian countries use chopsticks for every meal as many folks may know. What you may not know is that chopsticks are used in place of items such as forks, and knives. Ever need to slice up some birthday cake or pizza? Hook me up with some chopsticks and I'll take care of you. Toilet paper is also used in the place of other items like this as well.
In the Korean family's house where I spent many days and nights, there would always be a roll of tp at the table where we ate. If I dropped some rice, kimchi, or other food on the floor, I just grab a sheet or two and pick up the scraps. Got a runny nose because that kimchi is opening you up a little too much? Grab some tp and turn away, so you don't disrupt the other folks at the table. Got some red pepper stuff on your face, or maybe a piece of rice in your facial hair? Spill some of Korean Grandma's home cooking on the table? You get the point here.
My classroom experiences were exactly the same. Considering I get nosebleeds in Winter, I definitely needed a few sheets nearby during that time of year. Each and every classroom was "pre-loaded" with toilet paper. Kid gotta blow their nose? Cover those nostrils with a little tp and watch them do their thing (for the young ones). Hopefully you can sanitize in the room or after the class. Need napkins to help the little ones while they are eating lunch in the classroom? Grab that roll. Boom!! Need to clean that dry erase board? Grab that tp and get that board cleaned. Unless you are privileged and actually have a rag or towel in the room. Seriously though, those folks do go through some tp and it is not in ways you would usually imagine.
I did buy my own paper towels from time to time at the grocery stores. They are squeezed in usually between toilet paper and more toilet paper. I might be kidding about that part. Honestly speaking it may cost two or three bucks just for two rolls, so folks just don't bother with spending money.
I have heard that in the past things like tissue and toilet paper were considered luxury items.
When families have housewarming parties in Korea, can you guess what might be a sought after item on the list? Boom! You guessed right. I hope you did at least. There is something symbolic in how you can unroll some tp for such a long smooth period of time 😕.Laundry detergent, house plants and cleaning items are said to be other desired gifts too.
So, tonight while you are basking over your massive collection of Charmin, Quilted Northern, Best Choice or whatever brand you have 4 cases of occupying that space near your giant flat screen TV, just be thankful that tp is only used for one thing. Then again if you run out of paper towels, you may just have to take a roll down from "TP Pyramid", or "TP House", or whatever piece of "tp architecture" you are planning to build.
Last night as I was sitting at dinner with some awesome friends, I reflected for a few minutes on my time in South Korea. I was reflecting specifically on how toilet paper was utilized so much in South Korea. Many Asian countries use chopsticks for every meal as many folks may know. What you may not know is that chopsticks are used in place of items such as forks, and knives. Ever need to slice up some birthday cake or pizza? Hook me up with some chopsticks and I'll take care of you. Toilet paper is also used in the place of other items like this as well.
In the Korean family's house where I spent many days and nights, there would always be a roll of tp at the table where we ate. If I dropped some rice, kimchi, or other food on the floor, I just grab a sheet or two and pick up the scraps. Got a runny nose because that kimchi is opening you up a little too much? Grab some tp and turn away, so you don't disrupt the other folks at the table. Got some red pepper stuff on your face, or maybe a piece of rice in your facial hair? Spill some of Korean Grandma's home cooking on the table? You get the point here.
My classroom experiences were exactly the same. Considering I get nosebleeds in Winter, I definitely needed a few sheets nearby during that time of year. Each and every classroom was "pre-loaded" with toilet paper. Kid gotta blow their nose? Cover those nostrils with a little tp and watch them do their thing (for the young ones). Hopefully you can sanitize in the room or after the class. Need napkins to help the little ones while they are eating lunch in the classroom? Grab that roll. Boom!! Need to clean that dry erase board? Grab that tp and get that board cleaned. Unless you are privileged and actually have a rag or towel in the room. Seriously though, those folks do go through some tp and it is not in ways you would usually imagine.
I did buy my own paper towels from time to time at the grocery stores. They are squeezed in usually between toilet paper and more toilet paper. I might be kidding about that part. Honestly speaking it may cost two or three bucks just for two rolls, so folks just don't bother with spending money.
I have heard that in the past things like tissue and toilet paper were considered luxury items.
When families have housewarming parties in Korea, can you guess what might be a sought after item on the list? Boom! You guessed right. I hope you did at least. There is something symbolic in how you can unroll some tp for such a long smooth period of time 😕.Laundry detergent, house plants and cleaning items are said to be other desired gifts too.
So, tonight while you are basking over your massive collection of Charmin, Quilted Northern, Best Choice or whatever brand you have 4 cases of occupying that space near your giant flat screen TV, just be thankful that tp is only used for one thing. Then again if you run out of paper towels, you may just have to take a roll down from "TP Pyramid", or "TP House", or whatever piece of "tp architecture" you are planning to build.
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