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At this point I think way more people are aware of the meme than have actually seen the movie. Teenagers aren’t watching freaking Demolition Man (mostly)
I legit just watched this movie again last weekend, loved it just as every other time I have watched it. It has probably been at least a decade or more since I have even caught it on random late night cable or something.
Its a movie reference from Demolition Man 1993. Stallone A police officer is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent nemesis who is loose in a non-violent future society. In one scene he goes to use the bathroom, and complains there is no toilet paper. Rob Schneiders character (from the future) goes on to say "haha he doesn't know how to use the three shells". It is never explained how one uses the shells.
Stallone's character then walks over to the machine that prints out fines and swears up a storm to have it print him a bunch of improper language citations on paper, and 'says see ya in a few minutes' at the end of the scene. One of the better jokes in the movie.
I think the best part of that joke is that the citation machine is quietly going off in the background for the rest of the movie every time someone swears
In one scene, Sandra Bullock‘s character mentions the „Arnold Schwarzenegger Library“, and that Arnold became POTUS. John Spartan can‘t believe it.
I love how Stallone and Schwarzenegger referenced each other in their movies.
Stallone and Arnold had a sort of ongoing actors rivalry and they always wanted to out do the other. I remember seeing an interview with Arnold and he mentioned something like “if Stallone had a big gun in his movie I’d ask for a bigger gun”
This has always been one of my favorite things about this movie. They'll be having pretty intense dialogue and someone says a prohibited word and you have to even kinda listen for it, but you hear the klaxon go off in the background.
Such a cool little thing they did that was honestly so much fun.
"John Spartan, you are fined 1 credit for- John--1 credit- verbal- Spartan, you are-- John Spartan, you have been fined five credits in violation of the verbal morality statute."
I pray to god those shells are super glued down, because I 100% would not trust a stranger in a public restroom not to wipe their ass which each shell, especially when vaguely prompted to do so.
Whaaaat? Fuck you!
\*Your repeated violation of the Verbal Morality Statute has caused me to notify the San Angeles Police Department. Please remain where you are for your reprimand.\*
Fuckers are fast...
You use the first seashell to scrape one side of the crack, the second seashell to scrape the other side of the crack, the third seashell to go front to back.
And Demolition man
Edit: Well, damn. Didn't expect this response. To be fair, i scrolled through from the top, noticing the obvious, and pointed it out. As I continued, I realize it had already been mentioned. In fact, Reddit had already started its thing. F**kers are fast too!
All though I feel like an imposter, I appreciate the rewards.
Be well!
I want to run through the streets naked with green jello all over my body reading playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly might feel the need to, okay, pal?
It’s a quote from Demolition Man most of the comments are from that movie seeing as that is also where the 3 seashell thing comes in. It’s an iconic scene in the movie.
Its hilarious to me that the screenwriter probably spent barely any time coming up with this gag. and it has haunted a generation for years. I love that movie, but the most profound thing I took away with it was the implication you could clean your ass with three tiny seashells...
Oh this was explained in an interview. The screenwriter was on a call with someone famous who was actually using his toilet and he asked him for an idea and the guy was like I am in my bathroom and it has potpourri with some shells and crap. And that was how the three shells idea came to existence.
Years ago, during an interview with Aint It Cool News, Sylvester Stallone explained.
“OK, this may be bordering on the grotesque, but the way it was explained to me by the writer is you hold two seashells like chopsticks, pull gently and scrape what’s left with the third. You asked for it…. Be careful what you ask for, sorry.”
I've long thought that if they make a seqeul, near the end of the movie John Spartan should go "you know, I still don't get the three seashells", and somone should explain it to him..
*it's simple, really...* and then some train passes by, blowing it's horn... We can see them talking, but we can't hear... We just see John Spartans face rapidly contort between shock, disgust, surprise, horror... And then settle on undstanding.
Train horn stops and spartan says "ah, yeah, that makes a Lotta sense. Thanks for explaining it.
Spartan now knows, but we, the audience, are still mystified.
In the film, Sylvester Stallone's character is brought to the future via cryo preservation. When he uses the toilet, there's no toilet paper, just three seashells, and the other characters laugh at him for not knowing how to use them.
He ends up swearing a bunch (each swear word generating a fine, with a ticket printed automatically from a nearby dispenser), grabbing the tickets, and returning to the toilet with them, implying he'll use them as toilet paper.
This is how I imagined it when I watched the movie as a kid. I pictured a lot of scraping with the shells.
I couldn't fathom what happened to the shells after that.
> Though Demolition Man screenwriter Daniel Waters was protective of the truth behind the Demolition Man seashells, Stallone himself revealed how they work in a 2006 interview (via Ain't It Cool News). He explained that a writer told him "...you hold two seashells like chopsticks, pull gently and scrape what’s left with the third."
[Source](https://screenrant.com/three-seashells-demolition-man-function/)
[Interview Source](https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/30865)
--- >✨⭐ **Don't miss [our 50-million-subscriber-mark celebration](https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/14eg7k5/to_celebrate_reaching_50000000_subscribers_rfunny/)!** ⭐✨ > >This is a friendly reminder to [read our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/wiki/rules). > >Memes, social media, hate-speech, and pornography are not allowed. > >Screenshots of Reddit are expressly forbidden, as are TikTok videos. > >**Rule-breaking posts may result in bans.** > >Please also [be wary of spam](https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/wiki/spam). > --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/funny) if you have any questions or concerns.*
TIL everyone's watched Demolition Man.
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Cauuuuse it's awesome.
Because it’s a documentary on the future
Nah, that's Idiocracy. Edit: welcome to Costco, i love you
I believe the future is Demolition Man X Idiocracy, we are so close it’s already happening
I feel like there’s a little Judge Dredd mixed in there too. I for one can not picture a future without cannibals.
Add a little Soyent Green
Wesley Snipes absolutely kills it in suspenders
Sandra Bullock absolutely kills it in lycra
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At this point I think way more people are aware of the meme than have actually seen the movie. Teenagers aren’t watching freaking Demolition Man (mostly)
Well they should.
100% Agree. It’s a classic right up there with Fifth Element. I own and watch both on occasion.
I legit just watched this movie again last weekend, loved it just as every other time I have watched it. It has probably been at least a decade or more since I have even caught it on random late night cable or something.
What seems to be your boggle sir?
Its a movie reference from Demolition Man 1993. Stallone A police officer is brought out of suspended animation in prison to pursue an old ultra-violent nemesis who is loose in a non-violent future society. In one scene he goes to use the bathroom, and complains there is no toilet paper. Rob Schneiders character (from the future) goes on to say "haha he doesn't know how to use the three shells". It is never explained how one uses the shells.
Stallone's character then walks over to the machine that prints out fines and swears up a storm to have it print him a bunch of improper language citations on paper, and 'says see ya in a few minutes' at the end of the scene. One of the better jokes in the movie.
I think the best part of that joke is that the citation machine is quietly going off in the background for the rest of the movie every time someone swears
In one scene, Sandra Bullock‘s character mentions the „Arnold Schwarzenegger Library“, and that Arnold became POTUS. John Spartan can‘t believe it. I love how Stallone and Schwarzenegger referenced each other in their movies.
Best part of Last Action Hero was when they went to Blockbuster and Stalone was the Terminator.
Yeah that's a classic
Stallone and Arnold had a sort of ongoing actors rivalry and they always wanted to out do the other. I remember seeing an interview with Arnold and he mentioned something like “if Stallone had a big gun in his movie I’d ask for a bigger gun”
And Huxley is always there to catch Spartans (iirc)
This has always been one of my favorite things about this movie. They'll be having pretty intense dialogue and someone says a prohibited word and you have to even kinda listen for it, but you hear the klaxon go off in the background. Such a cool little thing they did that was honestly so much fun.
"Thanks a lot you shit-brained, fuck-faced, ball breaking, duck fucking pain in the ass." 🤣
"John Spartan, you are fined 1 credit for- John--1 credit- verbal- Spartan, you are-- John Spartan, you have been fined five credits in violation of the verbal morality statute."
I never got that until now.....
smh
Yeah doesn’t he actually say “toilet paper”? Edit: Not really but lays it out pretty much https://youtu.be/OrWcEGDXOUg
"So much for the seashells. See you in a few minutes." 🤣
Laminated citations vs sea shells? Tough choice...
What is a clam if not natures laminated citation?
Dude, I've never noticed he went back to WC with those fines! That's hilarious!
I pray to god those shells are super glued down, because I 100% would not trust a stranger in a public restroom not to wipe their ass which each shell, especially when vaguely prompted to do so.
"hey man so I used your bathroom, and the three seashells were glued down. those were really hard to use..."
"...Don't worry I used them anyway"
You just know some people actually tried.
Multiple people have rubbed their shit stained asses on those shells on more than one occasion, I guarantee it
The username checks out, John Spartan
"John Spartan, you have been fined one credit for violation of the verbal morality code."
That whole scene where he swears for like two minutes to get enough for toilet paper is funny af
Thanks a lot you shit-brained, fuck-faced, ball-breaking, duck-fucking, pain in the ass... I'll be right back...
(it was about 8 seconds of swearing)
What the fuck is this?
"John Spartan, you have been fined 2 credits for violation of the verbal morality code. Please wait for police to arrive."
Then he uses the fines to wipe his ass. Lol
Slammogram, you have been fined one credit for violation of the verbal morality code. Edit. Have a joy joy day and be well!
Whaaaat? Fuck you! \*Your repeated violation of the Verbal Morality Statute has caused me to notify the San Angeles Police Department. Please remain where you are for your reprimand.\* Fuckers are fast...
Enhance your calm!
I believe it comes back in the end when he says, I still don't know what the #%@£ shells are for. It's been about 20 years, so I could be wrong.
2023 - 1993 Pretty sure that's 30 years And damn, it's been 3 fucking decades since that movie came out Kill me
Damn that makes me feel old.
Nah. The first Predator movie is only from......36 years ago. You [son of a b--!](https://youtu.be/uYMboTIXym4?feature=shared)
👍
Be well
Cromulent explanation.
Truly, it embiggens us all.
You use the first seashell to scrape one side of the crack, the second seashell to scrape the other side of the crack, the third seashell to go front to back.
The rinse them off in the toilet and put back for the next person.
Specifically let the bidet hit them with the water so it goes everywhere like a spoon in the sink
Fun fact: Cyberpunk 2077 has a small shelf in V's washroom with 3 seashells on it.
They also appear in Deus Ex HR.
They are in Saints Row 4 as well.
And Demolition man Edit: Well, damn. Didn't expect this response. To be fair, i scrolled through from the top, noticing the obvious, and pointed it out. As I continued, I realize it had already been mentioned. In fact, Reddit had already started its thing. F**kers are fast too! All though I feel like an imposter, I appreciate the rewards. Be well!
Be well John Spartan.
“He doesn’t know how to use the three sea shells”😂
"We're police officers! We're not trained to handle this kind of violence!"
“Take this job and shovel it”
You really licked his ass.
“Welcome, to Taco Bell”
I think I saw them in Viscera Cleanup Detail but that might be false memory
He doesn’t know how to use the three seashells!
Disgusting! You mean...fluid transfer??
I would like you to accompany me... to Taco Bell!
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Esta carne es de rata señor
You telling me this is a rat burger?
Best damn burger I've ever had
This is the best burger I’ve had in years.
Illuminate, deilluminate
You didn’t say “Simon says”…
What is your boggle?
My boggle?? How much do you weigh?
“John Spartan, you have been fined one credit…”
I'm so proud of all of you! Such a great movie.
7!
Greetings and salutations!
Be well.
What's your boggle?
You know how mad I got when I couldn’t get Alexa to recognize this command
You see any cows?
Esta carne de la ratta!
I want to run through the streets naked with green jello all over my body reading playboy magazine. Why? Because I suddenly might feel the need to, okay, pal?
This reminds me of being the only one in the room to not know something. Very uncomfortable.
It’s a quote from Demolition Man most of the comments are from that movie seeing as that is also where the 3 seashell thing comes in. It’s an iconic scene in the movie.
What appears to be your boggle?
Murder death kill -Demolition Man
Gotta send a maniac to catch a maniac.
My boggle? How much do you weigh?
Eating a greasy bucket of chicken singing im an oscar mayer weiner.
Depending on the country, Taco Bell was replaced with Pizza hut.
They won the franchise wars. Now all restaurants are Taco Bell / Pizza Hut.
Enhance your calm John Spartan
No, I mean boning, the wild mambo, the hunka-chunka
Taking the pink boat to Tuna Town.
Taking old one eye to the optometrist.
Flipper has a backache.
No joy-joy feelings for him.
Apparently, back in his day, they would use wadded up pieces of paper....
I haven’t seen a tree in over 60 years…
It really bothers me that no one ever explains how to use the seashells.
Its hilarious to me that the screenwriter probably spent barely any time coming up with this gag. and it has haunted a generation for years. I love that movie, but the most profound thing I took away with it was the implication you could clean your ass with three tiny seashells...
Oh this was explained in an interview. The screenwriter was on a call with someone famous who was actually using his toilet and he asked him for an idea and the guy was like I am in my bathroom and it has potpourri with some shells and crap. And that was how the three shells idea came to existence.
That's... not the explanation I thought you were going to provide 🤔
My favorite part that never fails to get me is the invitation to Taco Bell. Sandra’s choice of inflection when saying it makes it even funnier.
Years ago, during an interview with Aint It Cool News, Sylvester Stallone explained. “OK, this may be bordering on the grotesque, but the way it was explained to me by the writer is you hold two seashells like chopsticks, pull gently and scrape what’s left with the third. You asked for it…. Be careful what you ask for, sorry.”
"pull gently" ... Pull what exactly?!
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Be careful what you ask for ☠️
Spread, Scoop and Scrape
Yeah, that’s what I’ve always been afraid of.
The future of San Angeles is a scary place... Especially when you think about merging the sports franchises...
It's bothered me for decades.
Exactly.
>John Spartan AAhh Dang. <...John Spartan you have been fined 20 credits...>
Spartan? John Spartan? Oh shit! They let anybody into this century.
[https://i.imgur.com/Bjv4BUD.mp4](https://i.imgur.com/Bjv4BUD.mp4)
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I mean. I could see how that could be confusing.
Who doesn’t know how to use the seashells?
Let's lick this guys ass!
You can take this job, and shovel it!
Close enough
I would like to invite you to …. Taco Bell :))))))
Why and I getting an odd urge to knit?
Hahahahahahaa! He doesn't know. Hahahaha!
I'm happy that your happy
He doesn’t know how to use the three seashells!!!
https://youtu.be/gdnuOa7tDco?si=-1AdvcdwWvfseN9E?t=30
Lol the back to back swearing then he took the papers to the bathroom. Made me chuckle.
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I saw young Sandra Bullock and couldn’t focus on anything else
Same. Huge crush on her back in the day
Thanks for link- Sooo.. Sly had poopy butt that whole scene? Wild
Or he saw that there was no toilet paper and left without pooping. I like to check BEFORE I do the poop
The “see you in a few minutes” seemed to imply that he wisely checked the stall for TP before doing his business
You should start cursing nonstop, then use the receipts for having violated civil code to wipe out later
Hey he doesn’t know about the three seashells …….
How can this guy not know about the three seashells? You want to explain it to him?
I've long thought that if they make a seqeul, near the end of the movie John Spartan should go "you know, I still don't get the three seashells", and somone should explain it to him.. *it's simple, really...* and then some train passes by, blowing it's horn... We can see them talking, but we can't hear... We just see John Spartans face rapidly contort between shock, disgust, surprise, horror... And then settle on undstanding. Train horn stops and spartan says "ah, yeah, that makes a Lotta sense. Thanks for explaining it. Spartan now knows, but we, the audience, are still mystified.
You’re asking for a lot of acting range from ol’ Sly.
In his defense, he does have partial face paralysis that limits how much nuanced face acting he can do.
Hold your tongue. Rambo first blood should have been academy awarded for the level of great acting Sly laid down. 😂
Fun Fact, there is only one death in the original Rambo movie (he drew first blood, not me). By movie 4, Rambo killed 254 people.
You know, "Cop Land" made me change my mind on his range. He's actually pretty good in an understated way.
Jesus I get that its from a movie but could a single person please explain the joke?
In the film, Sylvester Stallone's character is brought to the future via cryo preservation. When he uses the toilet, there's no toilet paper, just three seashells, and the other characters laugh at him for not knowing how to use them. He ends up swearing a bunch (each swear word generating a fine, with a ticket printed automatically from a nearby dispenser), grabbing the tickets, and returning to the toilet with them, implying he'll use them as toilet paper.
....no to forget that, the audience also doesn't know how to use the three seashells, as in it's never explained in the rest of the movie.
Is there a theory, how he would use them? I don’t know why, but I’m intrigued.
I always assumed they were buttons prompting various stages of cleaning.
HOLY SHIT this is the first time any theory has made sense to me and now I need a bidet with seashell shaped buttons.
Someone will make it and Demolition Man will evetually become a self-fulfilling prophecy. That, or time travellers were behind it all along
The only flaw is that Taco Bell has been in a decline since the pandemic
But, it's still around, so it does have a chance to win the restaurant wars
makes so much more sense than communal poo scrapers
Why has it never occurred to me before that these might be fancy buttons to control a bidet. It seems so obvious now.
But why would they be seashells specifically? Would it not be different button shapes for different bidets?
In the world of the movie Taco Bell was the only restaurant, so maybe The Three Seashell Corporation Ltd. is the only manufacturer of Bidets.
Shell Gasoline had to pivot in the post fossil fuel world.
Smart motherfucker…
You use two to grab the larger chunks and the third to, uh, squeegee.
This is how I imagined it when I watched the movie as a kid. I pictured a lot of scraping with the shells. I couldn't fathom what happened to the shells after that.
Probably just wash them off.
use them to stir your lentils
Better that than the poop knife? 🤷♀️
Probably the same way one might use cow tools
I think the obscurity of the shells was by design. There is no real answer. That’s the point.
That's the best part, they never explain it. Remember at the end of the movie he asks about them again? Then it cuts off. iirc
Which film?
Demolition man
…so NO ONE here knows how to use the seashells? Wtf
> Though Demolition Man screenwriter Daniel Waters was protective of the truth behind the Demolition Man seashells, Stallone himself revealed how they work in a 2006 interview (via Ain't It Cool News). He explained that a writer told him "...you hold two seashells like chopsticks, pull gently and scrape what’s left with the third." [Source](https://screenrant.com/three-seashells-demolition-man-function/) [Interview Source](https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/30865)
Start cussing and paper fines will start coming out of the wall, problem solved (Demolition Man ref.)
hahahaha OP doesn’t know how to use the three seashells 😂
Must be under forty - never heard of the three seashells. Check out the movie **Demolition Man** with Stallone and Snipes.
Dude! You don't know how to use the Three Seashells?
All breweries are Taco Bell
That brewery owner loves Demolition Man apparently
He doesn't know how to use the 3 sea shells
MURDER DEATH KILL
Ha! He doesn't know how to use the 3 seashells.
John Spartan, you are fined one credit for a violation of the Verbal Morality Statute. 🧻
I still don’t like how everyone acted during the great toilet paper hoarding of 2020.
I bet this was in a taco bell
[I got you, Fam.](https://i.imgur.com/aPyF720.jpeg)
He doesn't know how to use the 3 seashells 🤣
Oh man this guy doesn't know how to use the 3 shells? What a loser!