Surely it wasn't in Maine!?

[Pattypans]

“We were in Maine recently,” wrote Larry Nordell, “and found a neatly printed but disconcerting sign in a motel bathroom that said ‘Please put only toilet paper in the toilet. All other wastes go in the waste basket.’”

from http://www.worldwidewords.org/nl/ixps.htm

[Islander]

Well well, you know people do think they can flush diapers, sanitary pads, tampons and other trash down the loo. Poorly worded, yes, but rural plumbing and septic systems aren't designed for such "wastes."

[Pattypans]

Yes, but...

[bmc65]

I confused. Those signs are very common in NYC where some of the buildings are 100+ yrs old. It's also against the rules of many apt building to install washing machines, because the plumbing cannot handle the load.

[Katee]

The implication is all "waste," including poo, should go in the garbage/trash can.

That's why it is funny.

[Islander]

Yes, I get that, but I just don't think it's all that confusing! We've had farm apprentices where we had to type out a list of do's and don'ts because city kids don't understand the mechanics of wells and septic systems. It's not okay to stand under a hot shower for 20 minutes here! (You'll never use all the hot water but you may run the well dry).

[bmc65]

Ohh I get it now. I'm so used to seeing signs written like that and knowing instantly what the writer is getting at that I didn't read into it deeper.