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Hekate

(98,611 posts)
14. Funny thing is, being well over 50 I actually remember paper straws. They did not come apart in use...
Sat Jul 19, 2025, 05:13 PM
Saturday

They had a smooth coating, that given the time period, would have been wax and not plastic. The smooth coating was not only a short-term water-proofing, but gave the straws a comfortable mouth-feel. They did not taste of anything. Then they disappeared from the market. If no one has reported unearthing 70 year old paper straws from the landfills, you can be pretty sure it’s because they decayed.

Decades later I saw a program about the damage plastic straws do to ocean wildlife, and it was graphic and sickening (iterations of getting stuck in nostrils and blowholes and causing agonizing death) .

I seriously wanted paper straws back, but when I finally found a box they were quite expensive, and turned out to have a taste and mouth-feel that was, well, it was unacceptable to this customer. It was like the modern manufacturer went all literal on the idea of paper without considering what else was needed. They actually did come apart during normal and expected use, and the paper-texture was gritty on the tongue.

I re-use plastic straws as long as I can clean them, but only recently did I find a tiny cleaning brush made for the purpose. So yes.

Good news is that some restaurants have recently found a better grade of paper straws. It started with our local organic restaurant and has been spreading bit by bit. The Chinese restaurant has them now.

Only two further observations: one is that if I can’t use straws at all I will have a life of tepid beverages, because my teeth hurt. Second is that trump is an idiot who likes to waste our time and our money while distracting us.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

There is no matter too small for Trump to harass Americans with. Irish_Dem Saturday #1
Wow, accepting public input on straws, but not for ending USAid or Voice of America sinkingfeeling Saturday #2
How About No Straws? modrepub Saturday #3
This. The only time I ever use straws is if I have some sort of oral injury or dental work. travelingthrulife Saturday #7
Why do people use them? WestMichRad Saturday #10
This message was self-deleted by its author GJGCA Saturday #12
He even said, paper straws melt ! rickford66 Saturday #4
I remember as a kid BumRushDaShow Saturday #5
Paper doesn't melt from heat. Igel Saturday #13
Seriously??? We aren't allowed to weigh in on anything else, but straws...that is really important travelingthrulife Saturday #6
Y'know, WHO FUCKING CARES? louis-t Saturday #8
Great, how is it I have been able to thrive so long ToxMarz Saturday #9
Most Americans under the age of 50 have never seen or used a paper straw FakeNoose Saturday #11
Funny thing is, being well over 50 I actually remember paper straws. They did not come apart in use... Hekate Saturday #14
Great observations and I totally agree! FakeNoose Saturday #16
Probably because... SickOfTheOnePct Saturday #15
In case anyone somehow doesn't get why the regime is making this a thing...it's not about convenience or what Karasu Saturday #17
This reminds me of... WestMichRad Saturday #18
Yep. Hell, during his first term, he literally issued a fucking executive order to change the water flow of showerheads Karasu Saturday #19
I am still haunted by my Kindergarten teacher yelling at me BigmanPigman Sunday #20
FWIW, McDonald's straws melt in their coffee TexasBushwhacker Sunday #21
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