Boswhite and Hemp.

And showers leaked a lot more than they do now.

You need less than a foot of teflon tape - probably more like 4 inches. Just get some from a partial roll languishing in a friend's toolbox.

Decide that teflon tape is less bad than wasting water.

As Siobhan said, showers leaked more and people whined less.

Simple. Just ask for pipe dope. Yes, ha ha but thats just what it is called. It is a thick goo just for such a job.

I'd prefer having teflon touching my water than some dope/paste. Of course I practically grew up in a workshop where we used teflon tape all the time. Most of my pots have teflon coating anyways, having it in the shower can't be any worse.

I'll bite my tongue on this.
Pipe dope is an alternative to Teflon but still may have some of the same "company" issues.
If there is a seating surface on the inside that contacts the pipe you might be able to make yourself a cork gasket. It involves significantly more work and it's unlikely the fitting allowing this anyway.

If you are using teflon tape to make a seal you are probably using it wrong. Teflon tape is a used to reduce friction on tapered threads - which is sealed by the thread and not the tape. If lubrication is the issue just use bar soap and rub it around the thread.

So what is Boswhite and Hemp?

The gasket won't work on this particular fitting.

@mindjudo - could I use the same sort of biodegradable grease i use on my bike?