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10 Hilarious Examples That Prove Bathtub Tray Designers Have No Idea What Women Do In The Bath
By the looks of it, it appears that most bathtub tray sellers are men. I mean, how else could you explain the images that were designed to promote them? More specifically, the stuff they put on the tray that’s supposed to be brought there by the dame who’s using it? A plate of a small undressed salad? Or how about a bowl of cornflakes, a text about global warming and a nail polish kit, all right next to each other?
Image credits: doodlyroses
Women are supposedly better at multitasking than men, but come on, they don’t have eight arms. Classical pianist Sharon Su was the one who brought this ridiculous trend to Twitter’s attention and people started sharing their own finds as well. Turns out, this is a much bigger “problem” than you’d expect.
Image credits: doodlyroses
Sharon herself is more of a shower person. “I usually don’t have time to take a bath and just need to get clean,” she told Bored Panda. “Once in a blue moon when I have the time or I need to unplug and relax, I’ll draw a bath. ”
Image credits: doodlyroses
“A couple of months ago I was looking up bathtub trays on Amazon and while I was looking through product photos it struck me that they all featured women doing things one would never do in the bath,” she said. “Eating salad, painting nails, feasting on massive cheese platters. I thought it was funny and then closed the tab. This weekend I remembered those funny product photos and thought some of the people I know on Twitter might get a kick out of seeing them too. I didn’t think the thread would go viral the way it did; clearly, it struck a chord.”
Image credits: doodlyroses
“I had to mute the Twitter thread because the notifications were overwhelming, but before I did I noticed a lot of recurring themes in the replies. A lot of women were asking where the razors, loofahs, exfoliators, etc. were. I also don’t know a single person who would paint their nails or apply lipstick and perfume in the bath. Cheese is great but it would get really gross from the heat and steam. A lot of women chimed in saying that their cats or children would definitely come into the bathroom and knock the trays into the tub.”
Image credits: doodlyroses
“Honestly, I don’t know if anyone even needs these images,” Sharon said. “Everyone has their own bathing rituals and most of the time it’s not going to look super glamorous (I just need something to rest a stack of printed-out articles and a dry washcloth for drying my hands, but I know a pile of paper and a tiny towel resting on a board doesn’t look marketable).”
Image credits: doodlyroses
According to her, we don’t need to look at some misguided attempt to be aspirational that just ends up looking ridiculous. “We just want to live our own lives with products that work, you know?”
Image credits: doodlyroses
“I actually ended up never buying a bathtub tray. The one feature I was looking for was something that would keep the tray from slipping off and falling in the water. After I looked at all these images of laden trays of beverages, meals, candles, electronics, etc. I thought ‘I actually don’t do any of this, I guess I don’t need a bathtub tray.'”
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But if you are one of the people who enjoy releasing their tension by taking long baths, you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of having a bathtub tray. They definitely come in hand when you want to take a book or a tablet to your bubbly oasis. ETSY shops, for example, can offer you a wide selection to choose from. The thing to keep in mind when searching for a bathtub tray is quality. Most designs are kinda similar, but they tend to differ in materials and craftmanship used to build them. Search for handmade natural products that are eco-friendly and non-toxic. But if you want something sturdier, consider metal designs as well.
However, if you feel there’s someone – not something – missing when you’re soaking in the tub alone, consider taking it up a notch and inviting your partner to join you for some rub-a-dub action. “Though having intercourse in the tub is problematic — water washes away lubrication — indulging in a soapy sexcapade can be the ultimate foreplay,” clinical sexologist Ian Kerner, PhD, author of She Comes First, told Cosmopolitan. Just be sure to start draining the tub as things are getting hotter. And maybe, just maybe this will bring the sexes closer together and future bathtub tray ads won’t be as unreasonable as these.
People started making jokes about these trays, too
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Watch this video if you wan’t to build a customized bathtub tray of your own!
What do you think ?
FortnitePlayerGirl 5 years ago (edited)
On days where I'm free, I put aside 45 minutes of my day pampering myself with bath bombs, Tonymoly products, scented candles, and Queen music. unlike the stereotype that we take12 years in the tub, less than an hour of my day goes down the drain (No pun intended XD). But hey, I'm glad people don't know what I do in the tub! Oh, wait.
Load More Replies...
Lucinda Overhoussen 5 years ago
The woman in the tub with out water looks like she's having either a mental breakdown or is writing poetry (Sylvia plath style I'm guessing).
FloC 5 years ago
Yes and her robe looks more like a hospital gown which would match with the first option.
Load More Replies...
Lizzie the Crayon 5 years ago
Lol, this was amusing. I wouldnt even dare to have a device near my bathtub, me being me... At the same time i shower... 🚿
FortnitePlayerGirl 5 years ago
Well, you're smart. I once dropped my phone in the tub. Rice didn't revive it. Never putting my phone near the tub again.
Load More Replies...
Aurelia Grey 5 years ago
Fascinating! I didn't know we, as women, drank coffee, two glasses of wine and ate half a pound of cheese in the bath tub. My eyes have been opened.........*satire*
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
If I ate all that cheese, I’d be making my own bubbles.
Load More Replies...
Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago (edited)
It's not the tray designers that are at fault. It's the advertising people ordering ridiculous pictures or using absurd stockphotos.
The one that's famous among IT-people is the stockphoto of a woman holding a soldering iron by the hot end "repairing" a computer mainboard. photo-beau...fa0180.jpg 
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I gave up havng anything like book, phone, magazine or whatever near the bath. Not that I get it wet - I have towels and am super careful. but sitting in warm bathwater while your arms and shoudler get really cold just isn't relaxing to me. I just lie or float there with my brain shut off. Opheliastyle.
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco 5 years ago
if i take a bubble bath I sometimes do that to wash off the suds
Load More Replies...
Nicky OldfieldDesciple 5 years ago
First off I would never bring my phone anywhere near bath water. I can GUARANTEE you that it would end up in the water.
The Introverted Kitsune 5 years ago
Who actually has enough time to take a bath, let alone drink wine and research while bathing? I don't remember the last time I took a bath, I usually just shower.
Wanda Queen 5 years ago
I.....I'm seriously just happy if I can lay on my stomach and my butt doesn't stick out and get cold.
CheeseOnToast 5 years ago
oh my word... I'm crying at this... Eight kinds of cheese!! Thank you Sharon Su. Brilliant.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
I prefer showers to baths anyway
Load More Replies...
Smerv 5 years ago
Sometimes I hope we Finns had taken the world so everyone had SAUNAS to go to. That's the way to relaxx
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
I was in one once and I felt like a cookie baking. I'm not doing that again.
Load More Replies...
Bored Moogle 5 years ago
The lady in the empty tub is clearly hiding from her kids to get work done.
Patrick Lang 5 years ago
why is it that none of the shown trays has a hook on one side to carry a towel to dry your hands? For me, that's the most essential feature, because I like to take a book with me.
Hugo Raible 5 years ago
And guys and gals, get a waterproof phone. Most premium phones are waterproof nowadays.
Fanstacia D 5 years ago
Am I the only one who’s remembered water and electrical devices don’t mix? Bringing my iPad or phone into the bath is not on my list of great ideas.
Master Markus 5 years ago
One thing I noticed that's kind of off-topic: It says here that women are better at multi-tasking, but I feel like I've heard people say that MEN are better than multi-tasking and now I just plainly don't know. Regardless, I don't actually think it would be such a gendered thing.
Lillukka79 5 years ago
There have been studies that show women being slightly better at multi-tasking. But like always, it's more about individuals than gender.
Load More Replies...
ChiveChilly 5 years ago (edited)
We always sip wine, write in our journals, & stare at iPads with scenic screen savers, but never would we actually WASH, god forbid
First.time.in.Space 5 years ago
If anything, I smoke weed and eat thai take-out in the shower while scrubbing the whole dAmn bathroom with chlorine.. YES I KNOW... chlorine is a sensitive subject in this eco-friendly society but I.... LOVE IT!
Tikanovuka 3 years ago
What fascinates me is that people think these pictures really display how bathtub tray designers see a woman in a bath... Designers just want to show what items, how many, and where one could place on the tray
Aliquid A 3 years ago
At the bottom of the article "Watch this video if you wan’t to build a customized bathtub tray of your own!" -- I'm really trying to figure out what wan't means. "wa not"? "wan not"? although with words like ain't and won't... I suppose it could mean anything... but either way, it sounds anti-bathtub tray.
Maureen Matthew 3 years ago
I hate baths - sitting in water that is slowing getting cold and is really not that clean is strange. I'm fine with just jumping in a hot shower, AND getting clean.
Marina 3 years ago
One of my favourite relaxing activities is staying in the bathtub with a book for 3 hours lol
Load More Replies... 
Linda Jansen 3 years ago
Ok now i want a Pc setup with my tub so i can relax while shooting zombies.
Toni Tangents 5 years ago
They are promoting the idea of a bath being a luxurious and decadent affair. Which isn't that weird at all. I don't see what's so weird about it really. I guess there are two kinds of ppl in the world, ppl who would eat a cake and read a book in the bath, and ppl who wouldnt!!
TeeMarieTisMe 5 years ago
Some of these are ridiculous but admittedly I do use the phone to watch my shows in the bath sometimes. Luckily we have a decent ledge on the side of the tub that I stand it on but I know it's not the wisest idea. I'm just stubborn. :)
Chantal Voget 5 years ago
My baths are scolding, that cheese board would be fondue in a second 😂
Carolina Marshall 5 years ago
What women really want is: 1. A magnifying mirror that is fog resistant. 2. Tweezers 3. Razor 4. Flannel 5. Peace and quiet
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
Women are not better at multi tasking, men just say that in order to get out of doing something they don't want to do.
Lara Verne 5 years ago
We sell something you don't need, and look: we figured out what can you do with it!
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I sometimes wish we still had a bath. Sometimes I could really do with a nice hot soak
Daniel Nilssen 5 years ago
I'm a guy and seeing all that food on a tray makes me want to take a now but from a woman's point of view I can see where you are coming from cause all I think about is food
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
The last time I had time for a relaxing bath... I was still in my 30s.
John Sutton 5 years ago
"Giant pink raisin discovered in bathtub. Woman's whereabouts unknown."
Hugo Raible 5 years ago
Maybe it's because I'm not a woman, but I'd totally feast on the cheese and wine and waffles which watching some movie. Seems that Sharon Su is a bit stuck up and I don't get why she wants to ruin it for the rest of us.
Patricia Rix 5 years ago
My grandchildren use the bath tray to hold the bath animals (rubber ducky, crocodile, hippo, etc.) and the cups from which they dispense frothy beverages.
Hazel Rose 5 years ago
Ummmm, that's literally what I do. Wine(or gin), a book or kindle or YouTube and bubbles. It's me time.
diane a 5 years ago
OK - this looks useful - but where do you put the shampoo, conditioner, body wash,, scrub, and the scouring pad? - and the face wash to get rid of the conditioner on your face after washing hair?
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
That’s what showers are for. Tubs are for soaking.
Load More Replies...
Άρης Παπαδόπουλος 5 years ago
The real purpose for these is for your phone/tablet/laptop to have a place to stand while you make a sexy video call. Or for the elderly to sit while someone washes them :P
Broken Bay 5 years ago
This is the same kind of stock photo silliness that gave us "Laughing Alone With Salad" and "Computer Hacker Wearing Ski Mask".
Kimberly J. Curtis 5 years ago
Little odd that the text for this article quickly turned into "how to have sex in a bathtub" which doesn't seem to be the focus of the rest of the content....
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I think a bathtub tray would be useless for me unless they've figured out how to make that puppy stretch over a large jacuzzi style tub....
Ben Smith 5 years ago
All they need is a wine bottle holder and a vibrator rest and they’re set.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
if you want to get electrocuted.
Load More Replies...
Eunice Probert 5 years ago
Well I've obviously been living ike an animal, having showers and getting in and out in 10 minutes.
Vlad Horobet 5 years ago (edited)
I usually shower at 7,8 am or 9,10 pm. I can see myself instead, taking a long a*s bath while listening ukulele, watching something about global warming on a tablet, eating cherries and drinking a glass of white wine AND a glass of red wine. Let's be honest, it's either gonna be the start of a long, hard day either the end of it, i DESERVE this. All accompanied by a *puf* of some fancy perfume. It's so hard being a single mom when you have no kids and are a 25 years old male.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Yep, I’ve been doing it wrong. All I do is put my Kindle in a ziploc bag and put the wine on the side of the tub....
Angie Korol 5 years ago
If we women could conscientiously take this set of ads and keep them always in mind, and perform the mental gymnastics needed to apply them to all other ads, we would remember that we need nothing but ourselves and our own confidence.
FortnitePlayerGirl 5 years ago (edited)
On days where I'm free, I put aside 45 minutes of my day pampering myself with bath bombs, Tonymoly products, scented candles, and Queen music. unlike the stereotype that we take12 years in the tub, less than an hour of my day goes down the drain (No pun intended XD). But hey, I'm glad people don't know what I do in the tub! Oh, wait.
Load More Replies... Lucinda Overhoussen 5 years ago
The woman in the tub with out water looks like she's having either a mental breakdown or is writing poetry (Sylvia plath style I'm guessing).
FloC 5 years ago
Yes and her robe looks more like a hospital gown which would match with the first option.
Load More Replies... Lizzie the Crayon 5 years ago
Lol, this was amusing. I wouldnt even dare to have a device near my bathtub, me being me... At the same time i shower... 🚿
FortnitePlayerGirl 5 years ago
Well, you're smart. I once dropped my phone in the tub. Rice didn't revive it. Never putting my phone near the tub again.
Load More Replies... Aurelia Grey 5 years ago
Fascinating! I didn't know we, as women, drank coffee, two glasses of wine and ate half a pound of cheese in the bath tub. My eyes have been opened.........*satire*
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
If I ate all that cheese, I’d be making my own bubbles.
Load More Replies... Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago (edited)
It's not the tray designers that are at fault. It's the advertising people ordering ridiculous pictures or using absurd stockphotos.
The one that's famous among IT-people is the stockphoto of a woman holding a soldering iron by the hot end "repairing" a computer mainboard. photo-beau...fa0180.jpg
Katinka Min 5 years ago
I gave up havng anything like book, phone, magazine or whatever near the bath. Not that I get it wet - I have towels and am super careful. but sitting in warm bathwater while your arms and shoudler get really cold just isn't relaxing to me. I just lie or float there with my brain shut off. Opheliastyle.
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco 5 years ago
if i take a bubble bath I sometimes do that to wash off the suds
Load More Replies... Nicky OldfieldDesciple 5 years ago
First off I would never bring my phone anywhere near bath water. I can GUARANTEE you that it would end up in the water.
The Introverted Kitsune 5 years ago
Who actually has enough time to take a bath, let alone drink wine and research while bathing? I don't remember the last time I took a bath, I usually just shower.
Wanda Queen 5 years ago
I.....I'm seriously just happy if I can lay on my stomach and my butt doesn't stick out and get cold.
CheeseOnToast 5 years ago
oh my word... I'm crying at this... Eight kinds of cheese!! Thank you Sharon Su. Brilliant.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
I prefer showers to baths anyway
Load More Replies... Smerv 5 years ago
Sometimes I hope we Finns had taken the world so everyone had SAUNAS to go to. That's the way to relaxx
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
I was in one once and I felt like a cookie baking. I'm not doing that again.
Load More Replies... Bored Moogle 5 years ago
The lady in the empty tub is clearly hiding from her kids to get work done.
Patrick Lang 5 years ago
why is it that none of the shown trays has a hook on one side to carry a towel to dry your hands? For me, that's the most essential feature, because I like to take a book with me.
Hugo Raible 5 years ago
And guys and gals, get a waterproof phone. Most premium phones are waterproof nowadays.
Fanstacia D 5 years ago
Am I the only one who’s remembered water and electrical devices don’t mix? Bringing my iPad or phone into the bath is not on my list of great ideas.
Master Markus 5 years ago
One thing I noticed that's kind of off-topic: It says here that women are better at multi-tasking, but I feel like I've heard people say that MEN are better than multi-tasking and now I just plainly don't know. Regardless, I don't actually think it would be such a gendered thing.
Lillukka79 5 years ago
There have been studies that show women being slightly better at multi-tasking. But like always, it's more about individuals than gender.
Load More Replies... ChiveChilly 5 years ago (edited)
We always sip wine, write in our journals, & stare at iPads with scenic screen savers, but never would we actually WASH, god forbid
First.time.in.Space 5 years ago
If anything, I smoke weed and eat thai take-out in the shower while scrubbing the whole dAmn bathroom with chlorine.. YES I KNOW... chlorine is a sensitive subject in this eco-friendly society but I.... LOVE IT!
Tikanovuka 3 years ago
What fascinates me is that people think these pictures really display how bathtub tray designers see a woman in a bath... Designers just want to show what items, how many, and where one could place on the tray
Aliquid A 3 years ago
At the bottom of the article "Watch this video if you wan’t to build a customized bathtub tray of your own!" -- I'm really trying to figure out what wan't means. "wa not"? "wan not"? although with words like ain't and won't... I suppose it could mean anything... but either way, it sounds anti-bathtub tray.
Maureen Matthew 3 years ago
I hate baths - sitting in water that is slowing getting cold and is really not that clean is strange. I'm fine with just jumping in a hot shower, AND getting clean.
Marina 3 years ago
One of my favourite relaxing activities is staying in the bathtub with a book for 3 hours lol
Load More Replies... Linda Jansen 3 years ago
Ok now i want a Pc setup with my tub so i can relax while shooting zombies.
Toni Tangents 5 years ago
They are promoting the idea of a bath being a luxurious and decadent affair. Which isn't that weird at all. I don't see what's so weird about it really. I guess there are two kinds of ppl in the world, ppl who would eat a cake and read a book in the bath, and ppl who wouldnt!!
TeeMarieTisMe 5 years ago
Some of these are ridiculous but admittedly I do use the phone to watch my shows in the bath sometimes. Luckily we have a decent ledge on the side of the tub that I stand it on but I know it's not the wisest idea. I'm just stubborn. :)
Chantal Voget 5 years ago
My baths are scolding, that cheese board would be fondue in a second 😂
Carolina Marshall 5 years ago
What women really want is: 1. A magnifying mirror that is fog resistant. 2. Tweezers 3. Razor 4. Flannel 5. Peace and quiet
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
Women are not better at multi tasking, men just say that in order to get out of doing something they don't want to do.
Lara Verne 5 years ago
We sell something you don't need, and look: we figured out what can you do with it!
Caroline Driver 5 years ago
I sometimes wish we still had a bath. Sometimes I could really do with a nice hot soak
Daniel Nilssen 5 years ago
I'm a guy and seeing all that food on a tray makes me want to take a now but from a woman's point of view I can see where you are coming from cause all I think about is food
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
The last time I had time for a relaxing bath... I was still in my 30s.
John Sutton 5 years ago
"Giant pink raisin discovered in bathtub. Woman's whereabouts unknown."
Hugo Raible 5 years ago
Maybe it's because I'm not a woman, but I'd totally feast on the cheese and wine and waffles which watching some movie. Seems that Sharon Su is a bit stuck up and I don't get why she wants to ruin it for the rest of us.
Patricia Rix 5 years ago
My grandchildren use the bath tray to hold the bath animals (rubber ducky, crocodile, hippo, etc.) and the cups from which they dispense frothy beverages.
Hazel Rose 5 years ago
Ummmm, that's literally what I do. Wine(or gin), a book or kindle or YouTube and bubbles. It's me time.
diane a 5 years ago
OK - this looks useful - but where do you put the shampoo, conditioner, body wash,, scrub, and the scouring pad? - and the face wash to get rid of the conditioner on your face after washing hair?
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
That’s what showers are for. Tubs are for soaking.
Load More Replies... Άρης Παπαδόπουλος 5 years ago
The real purpose for these is for your phone/tablet/laptop to have a place to stand while you make a sexy video call. Or for the elderly to sit while someone washes them :P
Broken Bay 5 years ago
This is the same kind of stock photo silliness that gave us "Laughing Alone With Salad" and "Computer Hacker Wearing Ski Mask".
Kimberly J. Curtis 5 years ago
Little odd that the text for this article quickly turned into "how to have sex in a bathtub" which doesn't seem to be the focus of the rest of the content....
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I think a bathtub tray would be useless for me unless they've figured out how to make that puppy stretch over a large jacuzzi style tub....
Ben Smith 5 years ago
All they need is a wine bottle holder and a vibrator rest and they’re set.
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
if you want to get electrocuted.
Load More Replies... Eunice Probert 5 years ago
Well I've obviously been living ike an animal, having showers and getting in and out in 10 minutes.
Vlad Horobet 5 years ago (edited)
I usually shower at 7,8 am or 9,10 pm. I can see myself instead, taking a long a*s bath while listening ukulele, watching something about global warming on a tablet, eating cherries and drinking a glass of white wine AND a glass of red wine. Let's be honest, it's either gonna be the start of a long, hard day either the end of it, i DESERVE this. All accompanied by a *puf* of some fancy perfume. It's so hard being a single mom when you have no kids and are a 25 years old male.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Yep, I’ve been doing it wrong. All I do is put my Kindle in a ziploc bag and put the wine on the side of the tub....
Angie Korol 5 years ago
If we women could conscientiously take this set of ads and keep them always in mind, and perform the mental gymnastics needed to apply them to all other ads, we would remember that we need nothing but ourselves and our own confidence.
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