Toilet Paper Brawls Erupting Everywhere...Check Out These Pathetic Videos

originally posted by: shawmanfromny
Did people go this crazy in the US back in 2017-2018, when there were 810,000 hospitalizations and 61,000 deaths from the seasonal flu bug?

Nope, and no "National Emergency" was declared back in 2017-2018, when there were 810,000 hospitalizations and 61,000 deaths from the seasonal flu bug either.

a reply to: Simon1967
The theory I've been developing is that "panic-buying mode" is triggered by the sight of other people with filled trolleys. People will buy whatever other people are buying (if only because other people's purchases will cause the shortage). If one person decides to fill a trolley with toilet roll, so wil everybody else.

originally posted by: SgtHamsandwich

Thanks alot all you panicking hoarders!

Anybody know of home made bidet plans out there?

The toilet is straddled like a horse, versus a chair sitting position. With one hand you work the scoop, dribbling water down your tail bone and down the front. The other hand is the scrubbing and splashing device. All this is followed up with a drying and thorough hand washing. And the whole process is considered far more clean than toilet paper only.

a reply to: DISRAELI

That's my theory too.

Everyone is scared. They all feel like they have to do something to prepare, and as soon as one person grabs something, the rest follow suit because that one person knows something!

I'll admit to occasionally following a similar strategy when getting knocked off my usual route by a traffic jam. I'll follow a train of cars that look like they know where they're going. Nine times out of 10, it works out pretty well for me, but one that 10th run, I get all kinds of lost.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

It's the new "Bum Fights".

a reply to: DISRAELI

Yup, the same FOMO (fear of missing out) applies to checkout lines, or any line for that matter.

Nothing creates a long line faster than the start of a line.

Since no one wants to be "last in line" people will cut their shopping, or any activity short to jump in line early and start the waiting, thus a long line is created for all.

a reply to: Xtrozero

So where does he wash his hands after that, in the cupboard ffs???!!!

My mother asked me to pick some up for her. I was astonished to find all the TP gone, but wet wipes were abundant.

*chuckles in bidet*

originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: Simon1967
The theory I've been developing is that "panic-buying mode" is triggered by the sight of other people with filled trolleys. People will buy whatever other people are buying (if only because other people's purchases will cause the shortage). If one person decides to fill a trolley with toilet roll, so wil everybody else.

I am not sure why everyone is surprised. We knew this was coming. We saw it happen all over Asia.

1st Week Of February Hong Kong:


1st Week Of February China:



2 Weeks Ago Japan:


2 Weeks Ago Italy:


1 Week Ago Here - (Phase 1 Water and Toilet Paper)




Did everyone not think that the shelves would be picked clean here soon?

a reply to: infolurker
Do those countries offer any evidence for or against another part of my theory, that the panic-buying would be a temporary phase, declining from the peak once people felt "fully-stocked"?

a reply to: DISRAELI

I've got a spare bedroom. Lots of room for more stuff.

Canned corned beef. That's it! 6 cases should do it.

a reply to: DISRAELI

I don't know. Not sure what condition the grocery chains in those nations are in now.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: DISRAELI

I've got a spare bedroom. Lots of room for more stuff.

Canned corned beef. That's it! 6 cases should do it.

mmm, corned beef hash. As long as you have onions and potatoes. Smash doesn't count.

a reply to: Phage
Someone in another thread has observed that people were not panic-buying timned meat. Presumably (on my theory) because nobody else was seen buying it, so the "shortage impending" reaction wasn't triggered. If you would go to your local supermarket and cram your trolley with corned beef, you could be playing an important part in a sociological experiment that some of us have been discussing. Somebody has already suggested condoms and nappies (he called them diapers, but I knew what he meant).

a reply to: DISRAELI

Went dinner shopping on Thursday afternoon at my usual supermarket. Had no problem getting what I was after and noticed no empty shelves. Don't need any paper goods so didn't visit that aisle though.

On the other hand, Costco is getting hit hard.

People are strange.

a reply to: DISRAELI

Noticed the same thing regarding tinned meat. Same with Fray Bentos pies. Got myself a couple of tins of bacon grill. To be fair there was plenty of other tinned things. Except tomatoes funnily enough, guess lots of people are eating pasta and tinned tomatoes.

A few days after my neighbor saw me drive home with a car full of TP he asked me for a roll or two cause the shopping centres and shops were out.

I laughed and went inside...

That night.... i TP'd his house.

Thats why you bulk buy!!!

a reply to: Phage
Is your usual supermarket a small one? Another part of my theory is that the shop has to be larger than a certain size before the chain reaction is triggered, but the specific size can't be determined without more anecdotal evidence than I've got.

a reply to: DISRAELI

Define small.

It's not a corner market, if that's what you mean.

Quarter acre, I reckon.

a reply to: Phage
That is useful evidence if the panic-ridden Costco is bigger.
If the Costco is smaller, i'd better go back to the drawing board.