WTMI
June 11, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Ginnie 
WTMI = Way Too Much Information
For 12 years I lived with someone who often said to me, “I would never say that!” So, of all the people in the world to write about this subject.... HA! Guilty as charged!
That’s probably why I bought this 5½ x 3 inch brass plaque at an open-air flea market in Brussels years ago, hung it in our Atlanta bathroom, and then chose to bring it in my move to the Netherlands, after selling almost everything else I owned. This was not leaving my sight!
I love stuff like this. If you can’t take a joke, right?! Or do only women think the above quote is funny? Do men squirm a bit after reading it?
The other day I saw a poster on Facebook (FB) that said, “Sharks have been spotted in this pool. They come out when they smell pee.” Do you think kids get the joke or only adults? Does it make kids appreciate and “obey” the warning more when given in a humorous way? (Are the chief culprits even old enough to read it?)
Speaking of FB, in the beginning I just didn’t get it. Actually, the part I still don’t get is the WTMI part…but not necessarily in a who-in-the-world-could-possibly-care sort of way. Rather, in a this-is-way-too-personal sort of way. When two people are expressing their love to each other in very intimate ways, out there for all their Friends to see, somehow even I cringe. It crosses a different WTMI line for me.
So, where is the sense and sensibility when it comes to WTMI? Privacy and stolen-identity issues aside, is there an unwritten etiquette somewhere about what we should or should not share or say publicly? Are there proprieties….
Or is this the fodder for the comedians amongst us! No holds barred?
There’s almost always more than one way to say something, of course. You can be a strict disciplinarian with ruler/belt in hand, barking out orders for unquestioning obedience. Or you can be instead a leader who manages allegiance in such humorous ways no one can refuse.
Which reminds me of son Mark when he was little and had a hard time keeping his bedroom straightened up. I’d awaken him several mornings in a row singing “Good morning to you, you live in a zoo; but then so do monkeys, good morning to you.” He’d wake up laughing and a few days later…ha! He’d clean up his room.
Tell me just about anything with even a weird sense of humor and I’ll probably laugh on the spot. Maybe I have an extra funny bone, I don’t know. Say something in enough of a different way that doesn’t go too far over the line and you’ll have me hook, line and sinker.
In that regard, you can say I’m a sucker for WTMI. Well, as long as it’s funny and not at anyone’s expense, if you know what I mean.
And while I’m at it, I promise never to put anything into your toilet that doesn’t belong there. But for those of us old enough, aren’t you glad those days are over?!!!
Information, Propriety
Reader Comments (24)
I love the sign, but then I was brought up on saucy British seaside photographs! I find facebook to be really quite awful in many ways. The sheer amount of drivel is overwhelming. Still it is of its time
Love the sign. Just enough information to get the message across with a good dollop of humor. As for facebook? I'm definitely one of those who thinks it's WTMI...in a 'who cares?' kind of way.
Fun post!!!
Yes, we older people know about the french drain systems and what women put into it to blog it. Also what men (after visiting women) put into it, to cause blockages. Way too much info already ;-) I am often accused of providing too much info. After the umpteenth time I sat down and analysed it. What did I say and why? From that my theory was born:
Too much info can be provided in the SNVL categories. Yes, the movie is about Sexy Nudes and Violent Language - exactly that SNVL. Added to those, don't tell a capitalist exactly what happened to those (s)he extracted the means of living from, in order to become an even more successful business person. Also, in the same way don't tell affluent people exactly how the destitute is living. That would include some church people, even if they are not always affluent. In all these cases, when things get really graphical, there will be those jumping up to claim WTMI.
My thoughts about why I did it - people just didn't react to the mention of nudity or to the mention of the needs of the needy. I would then paint a picture and the hard core ones will try to stop you, claiming a sanction by the name of WTMI. But then, it only has sanction value if you allow it to have it. When the info gets too graphical, you can always walk away. Which reminds me, I always find it funny that someone will complain in the paper about anyone of SNVL in a movie, while I haven't even heard of it. Sometimes I will get hold of the movie and watch it. First thing I notice is the SNVL rating clearly on the cover in the DVD shop. Second, the scene the complainer mentions, is an occurrence of SNVL somewhere to the end of the movie. While several other SNVL scenes preceded it.
Oh well, now I am craving burger and chips.
LOL This immediately reminded me of a sign I saw in Indonesia at a public restroom. it said: peeing 1000 rupiah, pooping 3000 rupiah
I have had much fun to see this toilet sign today - and I too had bought it if I had seen it - oh, I remember the flea- market in Brussels and bought a bowl there in my times as young teacher which still has a place in my kitchen. I enjoyed a rather free education, my father often said: 'Naturalia non sunt turpia' - natural things are not shameful, and you can speak about them - but not, of course, with everybody and at every occasion and often better in a humorous and not too vulgar way - but with very good friends you can speak/talk about all aspects and experiences of life in whatever way you do it! I remember some cartoons hanging formerly in our toilet, and we had our fun, for example one cartoon displayed a chimney- sweep sitting on a chimney while shitting /sein Geschäft erledigend, why not!
WTMI on FB is not my page, to be honest, and in general I would be a bit shy to express love feelings on i-net. Sometimes I myself think I would reveal to many personal feelings on my or other blogs, for I tend to be too open in my expressions, my mother sometimes said to me 'you are to open-hearted toward other - also foreign - persons, maybe, she is right, but in general I made the best experiences to react in a natural way, and I love persons who are natural and autentic in their behaviours ... You have written today about an important theme - it deserves to be dealt with further....Thank you,Ginnie, for your fine, thoughtful writing and the funny picture!
According to my experience often women like to throw things which have not been eaten first into the toilet - but I think I dont have to speak more clearly...
i think the WTMI has been an industry since the first tabloid was picked up in a grocery's checkout line....a feeding frenzy for more, more, and why not some more? the lines have become so blurred (or is that due to my aging eyes?), that i don't know where to stand!
a funny sign, ginnie, and a provocative post. after all, this is a blog to give information...who's to say if it's too much?!!
I somehow knew that about you from the start, that you had that extra funny bone ~ and it suits you perfectly ! HA!
I'm with you about those public displays of affection on FB. I often wonder, what do you say in private?
You and I grew up with extreme modesty, and yet we also learned to share TMI. What is it in us (anyone) that wants to be witnessed so intimately, or not? Funny, I can feel my interest in social media slipping away.Even blogging.
I do love that you find ways to be humorous about the difficult things. I think this comes from a certain kind of suffering, and learning to not take oneself too seriously.
xoxo
"Tell me just about anything with even a weird sense of humor and I’ll probably laugh on the spot. Maybe I have an extra funny bone, I don’t know. Say something in enough of a different way that doesn’t go too far over the line and you’ll have me hook, line and sinker."
My way of thinking and I have met my match at my new workplace, we discover proof every day that we that we think alike. A kind of morbid humor to help around the rough spots of our work. :-)
"I do love that you find ways to be humorous about the difficult things. I think this comes from a certain kind of suffering, and learning to not take oneself too seriously."
This is exactly what I wanted to say. AND It is something I try to live by. Love your post Ginnie!
Sometimes I can kick myself, I gave WTMI...and some people take advantage of that in a negative way. I have learned, (I hope) to keep my big mouth a little more close....
I have a wicked dark sense of humor, often I will say things with a big smile, but deep down there is a truth in it and some people are NOT amused.
I think your sense of humour is great. We laugh a lot together... the things you say ...grin....
When I worked at the wood mill, the men have such a different kind of humor, they would say the most intimate things and give WTMI, I am trying to eat my lunch, many times I almost choked, just because of my laughter (and imagining the things they said)
I love the sign, I am so glad that you saved it from the move.
And yes, I am glad, I am too old to throw things into the toilet, that have not been eaten........... HA....
First of all, FB. I LOVE it! How else could I lurk and know what when my sisters' children and grandchildren have babies, get divorces, graduate, learn to walk, talk and get in a relationship? Since my sister's have died, this is my best way of communication. I love the crazy rap videos my super white Beiber Believer 14-year-old grandson posts. It gives me access in a way that I would never accomplish without living in a family compound.
As for other WTMI, I guess I am still most appalled at the visual. Once in a bit I just have to be a Grammy and tell my granddaughter that her skirt is in danger of showing more than she bargained for and perhaps sending a message that she isn't aware of. (Sorry about all of the hanging prepositions.)
But info on celebrities, etc. Pleeeeasse. Spare me the Kardashians!
I'm with Mother! I love Facebook! It's how I keep up with what's going on with younger people, people living towns I've moved from, artsy types that I learn from, etc. But, yes, there certainly are those who share WTMI! Now, me personally...I share very little information; some might say "TLI" (too little information)
This post seems to be generating a lot of discussion; a sign of a good post! WTG, Ginnie! (Way To Go)
Now that's bathroom humor! I can always count on your to put a smile on my face Ginnie! Glad you kept the plaque.
Throwing inappropriate stuff in the toilet is NOT a gals-only "sin", Ginnie...smart blokes learn their lesson after having to fish it out with their hands after finding that it and its foil wrapper fail to flush away...
WTMI?
Sorry!
Oh, my! Your sign is an old friend - it's posted on big boats and small, sail and motor. A boat is where I first saw it, and for boaters it's a "must have" for the "head" if they have non-sailors on board. On a boat, it's not WTMI - it's a serious warning that if you don't follow the rules, you may have the pleasure of learning how to disassemble and reassemble a toilet, possibly in six foot seas!
And on most boats, it means EXACTLY what it says. Even toilet tissue is a no-no. It's just part of the life.
Maybe we should adapt your sign for Facebook - and Twitter, and blogs, and LinkedIn. It could say something like, "Please do not put anything on this page unless it has been thought over first!"
Well, I have to say that humor can be a problem too if people go over the edge with it. It is a big problem if a kid gets hurt, because he 'didn't get the joke'. Working with kids made me more careful what words to say and how I say them. I do laugh with kids, but as often I'd think I would...
Maybe that's because we live in a different era now - when people think freedom is do what you want, say what you like... - not really thinking what can the results bring... Sometimes I can't believe what people put on-line to the whole World!! I think not every joke is a joke for EVERYone, so like Linda said: ...we should think about it first, before we shout it out...
Yeap, for some I'm just too serious ;)
I could have used that sign when I had my old, ancient septic system. People who only know the city sewers just don't get how touch a septic system is. Sorry, I still have some resentment about that. I also don't get why people tweet and FB much of what they do but then I've been guilty of WTMI on my blog. Now that I'm trying to me more constrained though, I think I've become a bit boring and people read me less. Perhaps I need to become more tabloidish.
A good sense of humor is one of the best gifts in life if you ask me! And it sounds like yours in wonderful...
I totally agree that there is an overload of WTMI on Facebook and twitter... I think the relative anonymity tricks people into thinking it is okay to say anything...
I once posted on twitter: "Despite all evidence to the contrary, tweeting is not the same as talking to yourself."
There seem to be no filters. But, there are certainly many things to be amused by!
I would have kept that sign, too, it's a classic.
I had to chuckle at your last question, Ginnie. I am elated, thrilled, you name it... to have THOSE days over, ha ha!! I think you know me already to know I'd love your plaque!! It's fabulous! Wonderful fun post!
A wonderful sign and equally illuminating essay Ginnie; perhaps the boundaries of WTMI just keep getting broader as social mores evolve. I also had the thought that whilst I'm not an orthopedist, maybe that extra funny bone was the one that Eve nicked off Adam !
Well, as long as it’s funny and not at anyone’s expense, if you know what I mean.
I think that is where the line should be drawn!
But I do wonder if men and women have different ideas on this...
I'm with Kelly, I think FB and other social networking sites offer WAY TMI and also seem to get cluttered up with trivial nonsense about all manner of things that 3rd parties, not directly connected to said person, could give a hoot. It's a love hate thing with me. A way to connect but beware of what you share.
Love your sign though and can understand why you would traipse it around the world with you.
I totally agree about WTMI... and LOVE the sign. If someone shares something that Miss Manners would cringe over... BUT shares it in an amusing fashion... I almost always laugh. Maybe takes a minute for the double-take. And I have a sign hanging in my kitchen that says No Spitting... for some reason, it struck my funny bone when I saw it. I would so happily hang your sign in my own bathroom. :-) (or maybe in the house in Red Lodge since the plumbing is older there)
As for FB and the WTMI that shows up there... sometimes I too cringe... especially when one of my younger friends posts comments with the F word in them. They may not be posting too much information... but cursing like that for all their FB world to see somehow rubs me the wrong way.