Until recently, whenever I wanted toilet paper, all I had to do was enter any local supermarket, pharmacy or deli. Once inside, a plethora of products vied for my attention, like paparazzi stalking a celeb.
No more.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve joined the ranks of Toilet Paper Truffle Hounds, scouring local – and not so local – establishments in search of my favorite brand.
Or any brand.
To clarify: I’m not hoarding. I’m only trying to get the usual supply for my household. With this in mind, and thanks to a combination of diligence, desperation and luck, I’ve seen single roles with shady origins, multi-packs from name brands, and TP wrapped in shiny pink plastic, like paper petits fours.
I’ve bought them all.
Some are scratchy. Others thin. Certain brands scratchy and thin.
It doesn’t matter. Each time I score TP, I raise it high, like an olympian, brandishing a medal. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to buy enough, as each person is often limited to a few paper products per purchase.
Enter: Creativity.
Here’s an example of how I’ve thrown myself on the mercy of others in my quest for white gold.
Location: Wellness Pharmacy, 144 West 72nd Street
Players: Me, Store Cashier, Befuddled Neighbor
Me: (Spotting neighbor) Hi! Nice to see you.
Neighbor: Nice to see you, too.
Cashier: Next!
Me: (Placing TP rolls on counter) Eight, please.
Cashier: Only four per person.
Me: (Eyes wide, pulse racing) Oh. (Thinking fast) No problem. Here’s four for me and …(turning to my neighbor who is a few people behind me in line) I’m buying these for you, okay?
Neighbor: Okay. Uh, what am I agreeing to?
Me: That I’m buying you this TP.
Neighbor: OH. (Winking) Right. Of course.
Me: (To cashier) … and the others I’m buying for my friend.
Cashier nods, rings it all up, hands me the package. I pay, and on my way out, turn to my neighbor.
Me: I’ll bring them to your apartment.
Neighbor: Great!
Advertisement
Me: Hi! Nice to see you.
X: (Smiles. I think it’s a smile, it’s hard to tell behind the mask)
Me: Any idea when the next (whispering) paper products shipment arrives?
X: After midnight.
Me: Thanks so much.
Flash forward to next morning. I arrive early. Unfortunately, not early enough. There’s a long line. I stand on it. Eventually, I enter the store and stride, I mean speed walk (okay, run) toward the paper products section. My harried dash is reminiscent of a crazed reality show contestant. However, instead of competing for a man, money or a mansion, I desire Scott, Charmin, Cottonelle or any distant cousin.
I hurtle past stacked fruit, shimmy around a shopping cart, circumvent a Matzah display. Finally, I arrive at the paper products aisle.
Empty.
Breathless and upset, but not deterred, I vowed to try again. And again.
And again.
At least I’m getting a lot of reading done, waiting on line.
I think (about toilet paper) therefore I am.
Tara Tandlich is an award-winning writer (Prose Fellowship- NJ State Arts Council), illustrator and multi-subject tutor. When she’s not tracking down errant TP, you may find her at: tarastutoringnyc.com and taratandlich.com
Sonds to me like she needs a bit more fiber in her diet.
Did she really need 8 rolls? I cannot even find 1 roll, so I don’t deem her 8 rolls as a family necessity. So rude and not funny at all.
Why on earth would anyone want to share this?
This is the most obnoxious post I’ve read on this site. This is why so many families don’t have enough supplies, because people like her think her wants are above others. (And 8 rolls is a WANT, not a NEED)
She lies and scams to work the system, leaving other families without. The worst part is she seemingly thinks it’s funny and worth bragging about.
Yeah, this is shitty. People like her are the reason WHY there’s a shortage and stores need to impose a limit. People like her are the reason why people need to go to multiple stores to find items like toilet paper.
If you need 12 rolls of toilet paper to get through a couple of months, get a fucking bidet.
Lighten up people. She specifically said that she wasn’t hoarding and that she was looking for what her household needed. She is clearly taking aim at the absurdity of the situation. And it is absurd. There is no logical reason for there to be a run on toilet paper. Obviously, we are all dealing with a very serious situation. This was a welcome break from the bleak news we’ve been hearing on a daily basis for over a month now.