I‘ve always believed that Singaporeans were the most kiasu (afraid to lose) individuals on the planet. Because Singaporeans.
But what do you know? I’m wrong.
Rather, this story has led me to believe that the Taiwanese, out of all people, deserve that title.
An undisputed call, I must add.
Taiwan’s fast running out of toilet paper
According to Taiwan News, Taiwan’s running out of toilet paper fast, if not already.
This comes after companies in the industry confirmed that the price hikes, as high as 30 per cent, would take place in mid-March.
As a result, panic buys soon ensued, consumers sweeping through entire physical stores. Those who were unable to procure at local businesses actually had to turn to online shopping platforms, where they reportedly bought more than 5 million packs.
Rough translation:
Because of insufficient supply, we are temporarily out of toilet paper. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Outrage
Naturally, Taiwanese consumers didn’t take well to the news.
“For the first time,” one commented on social media. “I can’t even buy two packs of toilet paper. Is the world sick?”
Another was scarily realistic. “No more words, I’m going to hunt for tree bark or tomorrow I’ll have a smelly bum.”
Hike in prices
The sudden hike in toilet paper prices in Taiwan can actually be attributed to a drastic rise in global prices.
Due to production disruptions in Brazil and forest fires in Canada, the global cost of short fiber pulp (used to produce toilet paper) has increased from US$650 per ton on average to US$800 as of February.
However, in sight of the latest ‘crisis’, Taiwan’s Department of Consumer Protection has urged the public to stay calm, saying that the island’s four major retailers have “promised not to raise toilet paper prices until mid-March or hoard the merchandise to sell later at higher prices”.
Claw vending machines
Incredibly, claw vending machines have been discovered stocking something other than their usual fare:
Toilet paper.
Facebook group Baifei Commune actually posted a photo of an arcade claw machine stuffed with 10 packages of a branded toilet paper product, with a sign reading: “Guaranteed success for NT$20 (US$0.70).”
And it apparently wasn’t the only one either, with images of different claw machines popping up on the net.
“No wonder there isn’t any toilet paper left, they’re all in the claw machines,” one reportedly said.
Never underestimate toilet paper
Toilet paper’s a precious resource, and this entire article’s sheer testament to that.
So the next time you’re wiping your ass and wasting toilet paper, remember:
Somewhere in Taiwan, someone’s forced to shit without toilet paper.
#nevertaketoiletpaperforgranted
Always quarrel with your bae? Then you need to watch this video and learn this trick on how to resolve arguments without any compromise or apology (and also subscribe to Goody Feed YouTube channel):
This article was first published on goodyfeed.com
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Featured image: 黃英華 Facebook Page
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