PHENOMENON

The Curious Presence of Toilet Paper on Dining Tables

Southeast Asia

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There are several types of tissues commonly displayed on supermarket shelves: toilet paper, paper napkins, kitchen paper towels, and facial tissue, each with their respective functions—as suggested by their names. While it's handy to have tissues tailored for every task, don't be surprised to find toilet paper taking center stage on dining tables across Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam—it's just how they roll.

 

Toilet paper on dining table | Source: Newsflare

Toilet paper on dining table | Source: Newsflare

 

In certain nations, toilet paper is commonly known as rolled-up tissue, leading to its use as a versatile tissue option rather than being confined to just bathroom use. It's typically the most budget-friendly option, which is why you'll often find it gracing the tables of smaller eateries. This roll of paper is just as up for the job, with its texture varying from rough to smooth depending on its quality grade.

 

Funny enough, this habit gets a little help from the existence of round tissue holders, which conveniently allow one to plop a roll of tissue right onto the dining table. There's a whole variety of them, ranging from minimalist holders to knitted versions.

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Transparent tissue holder | Source: Kiyo

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Barbie beads tissue holder | Source: tokoauthenticthings

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Character tissue holder | Source: OEM

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Tissue holder with handle | Source: Kiyo

Have you seen any unusual tissue holders that caught your attention?

Writer: Wonderwhy Team