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May 26 2006 10 Comments

Lavatory linguists

The incredible commitment shown to ‘the company’ by the average salary man, resulting in long hours, regular drinks with the boss and minimal holidays, can have numerous consequences. Death from overwork (karoushi) is by far the most extreme, but there are also problems such as marital breakdown and mental health issues. And with such little time for anything other than work, the internationally minded minion also has very few chances to brush up on his English.

Yet thanks to an imaginative manufacturer, even the busiest of businessmen will now be able to manage at least five minutes of English study a day. As at the same time they are squeezing out, they’ll be able to squeeze in a bit of practice with this tutoring toilet paper.

japanese toilet roll

The section displayed even topically targets toilet related matters, with 1. Where is the rest room, and 5. It is a diarrhea feeling, being potentially very useful indeed.

(click image for larger loo roll)

Categorized: Language, Odd, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ken Y-N says

    5/26/2006 at 3:51 pm

    It’s karo[u]shi, just to be pedantic.

    There also was a brand of bog roll that I saw when I first came to Japan called “My Fanny”.

    Reply
  2. Lee says

    5/26/2006 at 3:59 pm

    Whoops! Thanks Ken, just altered it.

    Reply
  3. Paul says

    5/26/2006 at 10:19 pm

    Ah, but the big question has to be; does it clean the skids without chafeing?

    Reply
  4. Paul says

    5/26/2006 at 10:21 pm

    Also, why are there cowgirls on the packaging?

    Reply
  5. homebru says

    5/26/2006 at 11:03 pm

    One does not question cowgirls. One simply appreciates them.

    Reply
  6. Peter says

    5/27/2006 at 1:01 am

    So, English really is worth a crap!

    Reply
  7. pam says

    5/28/2006 at 3:22 pm

    Cowgirls wearing halter tops and roller skates, no less, carrying toilet paper rolls on a big tray like drive-thru waitresses. Yes. That’s what the English language means to the world. I’m so proud.

    Reply
  8. cherelle says

    6/28/2006 at 7:23 pm

    Hi there! interesting post! we’re a retail store/gallery based in singapore and just about to embark on an interesting project – to bring in novelty items for sale, and after some googling it led me here. do u happen to know where i could get the toilet papers? THANKS!

    Reply
  9. Lee says

    6/28/2006 at 7:36 pm

    I took the picture in Tokyu Hands. Not sure if you’ll find it on their site, but it’s worth worth a try.

    Reply

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