‘Dystopian’ toilets won’t give you loo roll unless you watch an advert first

Metro.uk ^ | September 17, 2025: | Katie Bowden

[Mount Athos]

In a move described as ‘dystopian’, some public bathrooms in China are forcing users to watch an advert in order to gain access to toilet paper.

A video shared by China Insider showed a person scanning a QR code on the loo roll dispenser and watching a short advert, before a few squares of paper are dispensed.

If that’s not enough paper, or if you don’t want to watch an advert, you can pay 0.5 RMB – about 5p – to skip the ads.

It’s been claimed the system cuts down on waste, with authorities suggesting some people had been taking excessive amounts of free toilet paper.

[Mount Athos]

Think twice about shaking hands in China, where people like to save time and money, perhaps by not using toilet paper. The future is here now! Please don't ban me for posting this story.

[Secret Agent Man]

Think thats bad?

Gutter oil.

[mass55th]

I remember when you had to put a nickel in a gadget on the door in order to turn the knob to unlock it in the ladies room. This was in downtown Rochester, NY department stores in the 50’s and 60’s. The only other place I ever had to pay to use the bathroom was at the train station in Brugge, Belgium in 2005.

[Telepathic Intruder]

That’s why you should carry your own toilet paper.

[VanShuyten]

An oldie but goody from the CBC:

“ In an effort to help save the environment, U.S. singer Sheryl Crow is calling on everyone to limit the amount of toilet paper used “in any one sitting”to one square.”

I’m sure she’s pleased.

[jonrick46]

Wait until AI gets tied into the toilets and urinals. There will be the shrillllll cry that you shook it more than twice and an alarm telling you reached the limit on toilet paper.

If you really fail to conform to the rules, Optimus will unlock your stall door, grab you by the neck and douse your head in the toilet.

[Ciaphas Cain]

[Ciaphas Cain]

See #7 :-)

[FlingWingFlyer]

I wonder where they got this idea. Sheryl Crow?

[9YearLurker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHekGAO080

[Yardstick]

Picturing the Robert Dinero character in Brazil rappelling down from out of nowhere and helpfully rolling a roll under the door to the occupant.

[jonrick46]

The cartoon is a look into the future. Good find!

[MayflowerMadam]

Pay toilets used to be EVERYWHERE. “Crawling under” was common.

[MayflowerMadam]

“That’s why you should carry your own toilet paper.”

I do when visiting ports on cruises — especially Mexico.

[Dr. Sivana]

I remember when you had to put a nickel in a gadget on the door in order to turn the knob to unlock it in the ladies room. This was in downtown Rochester, NY department stores in the 50’s and 60’s.

I had seen them in some stores, but also in Riverside Amusement Park in Agawam, MA (now Six Flags).

We just learned to crawl under the door.

[SunkenCiv]

IOW, a lot of public bathrooms will begin to look like the "before" shot of one of the Labors of Hercules.

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[Allegra]

The only other place I ever had to pay to use the bathroom was at the train station in Brugge, Belgium in 2005.

My sister and I had to in London once at one of the tourist attractions. The Tower of London, I think.