KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2026 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Are Your Napkins Too Pretty To Use?

Napkins
(Photo by Mark Brodie – KJZZ)
Would you blow your nose on these napkins?

Is it possible that some paper products may be too nice looking to actually use?

New research suggests we’re less likely to actually use these tissues, napkins, paper towels and other products if they’re aesthetically pleasing, than if they were just plain, white ones.

Freeman Wu, a doctoral student in ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business wrote his dissertation on this. In fact, it’s called “It’s Too Pretty To Use.”

Tags
Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.