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On a sunny Sunday, June 19th, a seemingly innocuous tweet ignited a heated online debate surrounding the "correct" way to use a bendy straw with a drink carton. The tweet, originating from Sweden, featured a graphic created by a user known as "ikitorp." The post showcased an intriguing discovery made by their two-year-old daughter, who insisted on inserting the short end of the bendy straw into the carton.

Two Methods, Two Faction

The graphic in question portrayed two distinct methods of inserting the straw into the carton. The "wrong" way demonstrated the long end of the straw inserted first, a practice most people likely followed. In contrast, the "right" method displayed the short, bendy end inserted first. Advocates of this unconventional approach argued that it facilitated reaching the corners of the drink packet with ease, enabling the extraction of every last drop.

Twitter Erupts with Opinions

The tweet quickly gained traction, amassing over 41,200 retweets and 4,100 comments. Twitter users celebrated the young child's ingenuity, with some predicting a future in climate science or engineering. One comment humorously mused, "Somewhere, the inventor of the bendy straw is shedding a single tear. Finally... someone got it right!" 

Spiraling into Jest and Debate

As the debate continued, Twitter users responded with playful drawings of hypothetical drink carton scenarios. The controversy reached its peak when another user, "romanbuso21," posted an edited version of the original graphic, exclaiming, "My life has been a lie." This tweet, endorsing the toddler's method, garnered over 97,900 retweets and 30,500 comments.

The Long-End Enthusiasts vs. the Short-End Advocates

Social media users quickly divided into opposing camps. Some argued that the sharp edge of the long end was intended to pierce the seal, while the ridged bend was designed to prevent the straw from easily falling into the box. Photos and diagrams were shared as evidence against the new graphic, leading to heated exchanges.

Real-Life Experiments and a Dose of Wisdom

The controversy spilled beyond Twitter, with meme accounts on other platforms sharing the viral image. People worldwide attempted the short-end method in real life, yielding mixed results. Some succeeded without a drop wasted, while others found the shorter end impractical. As the debate raged on, a South Korean user's experiment prompted the original poster to humorously remark, "You have to use a paper straw plus have the fine motor skills of a two-year-old!" In response, the user quipped, "Now that I know it, I won't fail next time." In the end, some wise social media users reminded everyone not to believe everything they read on the internet.