Soap. The Yardstick of Civilization.

Sigmund Freud is famous for many statements and beliefs, and one of those is all about soap. He mentioned how it was the yardstick of civilization. This was then brought up in the movie Fight Club, by Tyler Durden. It’s a fun quip that we at Paper Street Suds follow and so many people ask me about it all the time. Here’s the original explanation with a look at how that’s changed when it comes to homemade soaps and products.

A Way to Measure the Level of Civilization

When Freud mentioned how soap was the yardstick of civilization, he meant that it was the way to measure the level of civilization. Those who bathe regularly want to be part of civilization. They want to fit in with society and to do that they need to be clean.

The access to soap has changed over the years, but the idea of it hasn’t. Now, it’s very easy to get your hands on soap and clean water is available in the developed world with ease. However, in the past, being clean wasn’t easy or quick. Families would bathe in the same water, with the men of the household first, followed by women and children. It was a direct measure of where they stood in civilization.

In Fight Club, the main character is just a copy of a copy. The whole idea of the movie is how he copies to fit in, yet Tyler Durden stands out. Whether you know how the movie ends or not (and no spoilers), all you need to know is that Durden’s line about soap is in partial reference to The Narrator (the lead character, who doesn’t even have a name) and his connection to civilization and the world.

It’s Not Just About How Clean You Are

This measure of civilization is no longer about just how clean you are. Times have changed and now there’s a focus on different scents to fit in. Homemade bar soap comes in a variety of scents. At Paper Street Suds, we offer some of the standards like lemon peppermint and lavender mint. On the other hand, I offer the chance to put your personality to your scent.

Do you love the smell of red wine? You can get that too. If you prefer the scent of coconut or cotton candy, there are options for you. You can even celebrate events like St. Paddy’s Day in style with Guinness beer bar soap This is a chance to tell people with an instant sniff how you fit into society and what you love.

It’s time to make your soap your yardstick of civilization. Make it clear who you are and where you want to connect with in society. Homemade bar soap is one of the quickest and easiest options available, since you can get them in so many different scents and colors.