The escalating Coronavirus crisis has dominated world news for more than two months, and the scramble for bathroom tissue turned ordinary shoppers into accidental comedians. In this top 10 hilarious roundup we explore the most side‑splitting, eyebrow‑raising ways people responded to the great toilet‑paper shortage – from impromptu concerts in empty aisles to rolls being sold for the price of a diamond.
10 Sinking Supplies
Why This Is One of the Top 10 Hilarious Moments
That gut‑wrenching feeling you get when you race into the supermarket only to find the toilet‑paper shelves as barren as a desert is now a shared global experience. Some brave souls even set alarms to join the pre‑dawn queues, only to watch their hopes sink faster than a ship hitting an iceberg.
Two Los Angeles violinists decided to turn the tragedy into a theatrical performance. Donning life jackets, they marched into the gutted aisle and, without missing a beat, began bowing to the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee.” Their solemn rendition echoed through the empty rows, a parody of the iconic bandmaster scene from James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster “Titanic.”
The video went viral, capturing the absurdity of essential supplies disappearing as quickly as the RMS Titanic sank, and reminding us that humor can stay afloat even when the aisles are empty.
9 Toilet Paper Emergency
When the last sheet of loo roll disappears, panic can feel like a medical emergency. In Newport, Oregon, local police actually broadcast a public advisory urging citizens not to dial 911 for a lack of toilet paper, reassuring everyone that they could survive with good old‑fashioned alternatives.
The officers suggested improvising with newspaper or cloth rags, turning a modern crisis into a throwback to pre‑digital sanitation solutions.
Down under, Australian police took a more hands‑on approach, handing out rolls of toilet paper and paper towels at supermarkets to quell the rising “roll‑rage” and keep the public from turning grocery trips into battlefield skirmishes.
8 Pricey Roll
Whenever a shortage strikes, opportunists surface, and the toilet‑paper frenzy was no exception. Some clever sellers turned the crisis into a comedy act by posting absurdly priced listings on eBay.
In New South Wales, Australia, a man uploaded a generic two‑ply roll with a AU$1,000 price tag, expecting no one to bite. To his astonishment, a buyer actually hit “Buy It Now,” prompting the seller to exclaim that he never imagined anyone would even offer AU$10.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, a 24‑pack of Kleenex originally retailing for AU$15 mysteriously sold for AU$500. The transaction remains unpaid, leaving the buyer with a pricey reminder of how humor and greed can collide during a crisis.
7 Prized Roll
A UK arcade proprietor got “loo‑crative” and swapped out plush toys for something far more coveted during the panic‑buying era: rolls of toilet paper. The claw machines, usually stocked with soft toys for a 30p fee, now offered shoppers a chance to snatch a roll with a single coin.
Visitors to the East Yorkshire arcade delighted in the novelty, spending a penny to win a practical prize rather than a fluffy bear. The concept spread, with other machines adding hand sanitizer to the mix, turning a simple arcade into a pandemic‑era treasure chest.
This playful twist highlighted the absurdity of the scramble, proving that even a vending machine could become a stage for social commentary.
6 Have Paper, Will Travel
When packing for a long journey, most of us remember toothbrushes and deodorant, but one savvy traveler on a Melbourne‑to‑Japan flight took preparedness to a new level by stashing an entire multi‑pack of toilet paper in their carry‑on.
The tweet‑storm that followed wondered whether the roll required its own ticket, underscoring how far people were willing to go to ensure bathroom comfort at 30,000 feet.
It’s a reminder that in a world where shelves are barren, a well‑packed suitcase can include the most unexpected essentials.
5 Precious as Gold
A Los Angeles jeweler decided that a roll of toilet paper was now worth more than a precious metal, offering a single premium roll for a staggering US$3,999.
The deal sweetened the bargain with a free one‑carat diamond ring, turning the purchase into a bizarre blend of hygiene and high‑jewelry.
While the price sounds astronomical, the promotion highlighted how the scarcity turned a mundane household item into a luxury commodity, rivaling even the most coveted gems.
4 Forgotten Loot
Hidden treasures are often uncovered when clearing out a relative’s estate, but few could have imagined stumbling upon a five‑year supply of vintage toilet paper.
In Sydney, a man rummaging through his late father’s storeroom uncovered 270 rolls of 1980s‑era toilet paper, a relic likely bought in bulk four decades ago and forgotten.
His Facebook post offering the stash to anyone in need went viral, demonstrating that even seemingly dull items can become community gold during a crisis.
3 Should Have Bought 2‑Ply
We’ve all seen shoppers load their carts with towering stacks of toilet paper, prompting the question: where will they store it all?
A UK driver, eager to capitalize on the frenzy, overloaded his van with rolls and paper towels, only to be stopped by police in Blackwell. The authorities discovered his vehicle exceeded legal weight limits, resulting in a £300 fine that sent his savings straight down the toilet.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale: perhaps two‑ply would have kept the load lighter and the driver out of trouble.
2 Floral Bouquet
Remember those premium toilet‑paper rolls that came printed with floral designs and scented bouquets? An Arkansas florist turned that concept into an actual bouquet – a luxurious arrangement of ordinary two‑ply rolls, complete with ribbons and greenery.
Priced at $75 US, the “floral” tribute offers a whimsical yet functional gift for anyone desperate enough to appreciate the aesthetics of bathroom tissue.
Born from the florist’s pre‑pandemic stash, the arrangement proves that when supplies run low, creativity can bloom in the most unexpected places.
1 Old‑Fashioned “Dunny Squares”
Australians are famous for their cheeky humor, and a Northern Territory newspaper proved it by handing out “dunny squares” – blank newspaper pages cut into strips for emergency bathroom use.
The NT News printed eight blank pages, each with handy cut‑lines, allowing readers to fashion makeshift toilet paper. While the gesture was undeniably witty, the free sheets arrived without disposal instructions, leaving users to figure out the cleanup on their own.
This playful solution highlighted the ingenuity and good‑natured sarcasm that surfaced worldwide as people navigated the great toilet‑paper shortage.