Object Interviews

I did my interviews about the toothpaste tube over skype and on the phone, so I don't have any photos, alas.  In the following interviews, my questions are in italics and the responses are in a normal font.

Paul (17 y.o.)

What kind of dispenser do you use? 

I use a bottle of toothpaste.  Sometimes the toothpaste gets stuck in the lid and hardens and you have to clean it out, which is annoying.

Is it hard to squeeze out the toothpaste?  Have you gotten too much or too little?

There were a few times when it came too much at a time.

What do you like about your toothpaste?  Is there anything good about it? 

The bottle has a flat top and bottom.  You don’t have to put it in a drawer, you can just stand it up.  It also comes out more easily [than a tube].  Once you leave it [upside down] for a while, it’s not so hard to get out, minimal effort.

What about your toothbrush?  What do you think of it?  I don’t know, it’s fine.  I don’t bother with those motorized ones.  The one I have is fine. It gets the job done.  It’s comfortable as a whole, that sort of thing.

Does the toothpaste ever get in your way? 

No, there’s plenty of room by the sink.  It’s always sitting there ready to be used.

Do you like the capsule idea? 

It’s a cool idea.  It might take getting used to.

Sam (50 y.o.)

What kind of dispenser do you use?  A tube.

What do you like about a tube of toothpaste?  

The flavor!  I like the colors! 

It’s funny, Jaime came up with the idea for different flavor capsule packs...

…And it doesn’t make a mess. Not for me at least.

Okay, so it isn’t hard to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste?  

Well you know, at the end, it’s hard to get that last bit.  But it’s pretty easy when it’s full.

Have you ever finished a whole tube? 

Well I get out whatever I can get out, so I don’t know if there’s a bit left to get out.  I think I do pretty good though.

Is storage in issue?  Is the tube big enough to create a problem?  Well it’s a weird shape, but you just toss it the drawer.  It does take up a disproportionate amount of space since it’s not a rectangle.

Do you and mom share a tube?  We do.  We use the same kind.

Do you think it’s a problem sanitary wise?  We’re married, it’s a little different.  If you’re good when you’re dispensing it, you’re not really touching anything anyway.

Anything else?  Comments or questions?  I don’t think so.  Trying to think of some other dispenser I’ve seen.  I’ve seen a tube that has a flat base, but it wasn’t a bottle like yours.  It must not have worked well because I haven’t seen it around anymore.

Pat (75 y.o.)

Do you use a tube? 

Yes, the kind you squeeze from the bottom.

Have you ever finished an entire tube of toothpaste?

 Yes, I use it till I can’t get any more out.

What do you like about the toothpaste tube? 

It’s just what I’ve always used.  It’s like a habit.

Is storage an issue? 

No, not an issue.

Where do you keep it? 

I have a little container on top of the toilet where I keep it.

Do you share the tube with [my uncle] Doug?  No, he uses something else.

How do you feel about your toothbrush? 

Well you use it to brush your teeth; it’s handy.

Anything else about the tube you’d like to share?  Any ideas or thoughts [on how to improve the tube]?  No, I don’t think so.