Bathroom etiquette

[mefordis]

I hate it when the person in the next stall is talking on the telephone. I think restrooms should be a No Phone zone.

I love it. Gives me something to listen to while i"m taking a carp.

 

[mla1977]

Bathroom is only about 12 feet from my office. Besides, I am not touching anything in the bathroom except the doorknob and the thing to flush. I work in a medical environment and everyone is washing hands all the time. We are probably the cleanest place around. I just don't like to wash my hands.

That is just making me sick. Do you use the force to get yourself prepared for going to the bathroom? I do not believe that the only thing you touch it the doorknob and the flusher.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Ok so for everyone that was flaming me for not using my hand sanitizer until after I exited the restroom - will it make you feel any better that I use a paper towel to open the restroom door.

I need to look it up when I get home but MythBusters did a show on germs in the bathroom. Basically there isn't any worse bacteria in your bathroom than in the rest of your house.

I know we should wash our hands or at least use the hand sanitizer but some people take it just way too far. I saw a very interesting documentary about the polio virus. Did you know we did not have polio epidemics until we got sanitized water and public sewage disposal? That is because people were exposed to minute amounts of the virus all the time and so built up an immunity to the virus. It was not until after we dd not have the polluted water that we started having the epidemics. Now I am not saying we need to go back to dirty water but it just shows that our bodies need to be exposed to germs to build up an immunity. I hardly ever get sick. Maybe it is because I don't wash my hands all the time.

I totally agree with this.

 

[Angelhalo]

Doesn't the alchohol dry your hands out?

Nope because I use the kind with Aloe in it.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Here is my public bathroom etiquette list:
Toilets

1. Flush - As the OP has pointed out, it's disgusting. I am all about conservation and try not to take long showers, but I do splurge when it comes to toilet bowls. I flush after each trip. So please remember, the patron who comes into the stall after you has no desire to see what you ate for dinner the night before.

2. Wipe - I have come into stalls and seen your business in the bowl, unflushed. There is no toilet paper in the bowl. We all lead busy lives. Perhaps you could wake up a few minutes earlier each day, which would give you the extra few minutes needed to wipe yourself. It would also save me from having a horrifying image burned into my brain for the rest of my life.

3. Farting - I know, sometimes a toot can just slip out when in a stall. I'm talking about the people that release their gas on an unsuspecting restroom without abandon. The bathroom is filled with a symphony of sounds that are being released, as if we are attending an extended performance of "Wishes - The Night Time Spectacular". When the farting starts, my peeing stops. I don't know why. This is really annoying because I then need to find a different restroom to complete my business.

4. Shutting and locking the stall door - I have no desire to see you conducting your business on the toilet. I have walked past open stall doors and seen grown men going about their duties (get it, duties). Have you no shame? Nobody likes enclosed spaces, but this behavior is ridiculous. Also annoying is the surprise pooper. This is when I open a stall door and find a man on the toilet bowl. Please lock the stall door. I don't like being surprised. Also, if you are in the stall, why so silent? Why not say, "someone in here", or cough. Something. Anything. Just alert me to your presence so I don't have to see something that will scar me mentally.

Urinals

1. Proper spacing - If there is a wall with twenty urinals, and I am the only other person utilizing one, why must you pick the urinal right next to me? Again, this action will make my stream of urine stop midstream. If this is your way of trying to meet someone new, just go into any bathroom stall and jot down any of the numerous phone numbers that advertise "calling for a good time".

2. Aiming - Okay, the urinal is directly in front of you. How do you miss? Why is there a puddle of urine on the floor all around the urinal? When this occurs I am forced to take a wide stance in the restroom. We all know what happened to a certain senator that took a wide stance in a public restroom not too long ago. I do not like giving this mixed message to my fellow restroom visitors. So, if you see me in front of a urinal with a wide stance, I'm not looking for romance, I'm just trying to keep my feet out of the puddle of urine.

3. Talkers - No, I'm not interested in discussing last night's game while doing my business. I need complete concentration while performing. Talking to me just breaks my concentration, again causing a stoppage. I know that you are very excited about that last second victory, and I am truly happy for you, but leave me alone.

Sinks

1. Soap - Dipping your hands under the faucet for five seconds is not a cleaning. There is a new technological advancement that is sweeping restrooms nationwide. It's called soap. With this miraculous chemical, hands can be properly sanitized. Don't fear it. It is not the stuff of black magic or sorcery. It is perfectly safe to use and should not be feared. Soap is our friend.

2. Ignoring the sink - It is there for a reason. Your hands have been near places on your body that may not be sanitary. This is why sinks are there. Even if you are unsure whether or not you got a little too close while wiping, why chance it? Make me happy, just wash your hands to be safe.

If I may add one more to your list for the female readers, please do not urinate on the seat. Many of us have to sit on the seat due to disabilities. If you are afraid to sit on the seat, lift it before urinating.

 

[Wall-E1]

If I may add one more to your list for the female readers, please do not urinate on the seat. Many of us have to sit on the seat due to disabilities. If you are afraid to sit on the seat, lift it before urinating.

Oh thank you. Great suggestion. I did not realize that females did this. This is a problem in the men's room as well, but I attributed it to the fact that men, like animals, prefer to to mark their territory.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Well, I'm finding that disgusting bathroom behavior starts young. I take preschoolers to the restroom at work and we use the same one as the kindergartners and first graders. I supervise my students in there because most are newly potty trained and need reminders to wipe, flush, wash, etc. I can't believe the number of elementary kids who come in and neglect to do those things! The other day, a little girl walked in and used the toilet and then walked toward the door. I said, "You forgot to wash your hands." She said, "I never wash my hands because I don't touch anything!" I said, "Did you wipe yourself? Did you flush the toilet? Did you touch the door of the stall?" She answered yes to each question. I told her all of those things make her hands dirty and she can get sick and make other people sick if she doesn't wash her hands everytime she uses the restroom. She just nodded and said OK and proceeded toward the door. I told her to stop and wash them which she finally did. She'll probably grow up to be a non-hand washer at work!

I also can't believe the number of times I've had to flush toilets before my students can use them. Most won't even enter the stall if there's something "yucky" in there. The worst is going into the boys bathroom. The floor is often wet and sticky because the elementary boys think it's fun to pee into the drain on the floor. Seriously, the urinal is 2 feet away and they pee into the drain and usually miss. Ugh!

 

[sunlver]

Oh, the other thing I was thinking of(Excuse me if it has been said before)about the non flushers and not wanting to touch the handle..
What I do is use a piece of toliet paper to touch the flusher

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A lot of people purposefully leave the toilet unflushed after urinating. It's an attempt to save the planet. Their slogan is "If it's yellow, let it mellow..."

Before anyone flames me, I'm not advocating this disgusting behavior, I'm just reporting it.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Oh thank you. Great suggestion. I did not realize that females did this. This is a problem in the men's room as well, but I attributed it to the fact that men, like animals, prefer to to mark their territory.

 

[MizTink]

I don't wash my hands because I carry hand sanitizer in my purse and use it after I leave the restroom. I figure the door handle on the way out probably has the most germs in the place and you touch it after you would normally wash your hands.

that's what the paper towels are for....

 

[MizTink]

I hate it when the person in the next stall is talking on the telephone. I think restrooms should be a No Phone zone.

i like to flush (randomly) when someone is talking on the phone in the restroom!

 

[charming23]

OP I feel for you we had several of those where I used to work. We all knew who they were and what made it even more disgusting is that I worked at a Pharmacy and these people were the ones handling pills to put in containers and they were not required to wear gloves

I tried to avoid our restroom at all costs but if I had to use it I would use toilet paper to handle the flusher, wash my hands, then use a paper towel for the door, and then resanitize my hands at my desk.

Also another bathroom etiquette and I know it might be embarassing to admit but if you "don't make it" to the toilet please let the appropriate people know so the next person to enter through the doors doesn't see your "mess" all of the floor 'kay.

 

[mansionterror]

I used to work part time in a popular baby store chain and it appalled me to see the number of women (mostly mothers) who did not wash their hands after using the restroom...in a baby store!

 

[jjarman]

For those using the bathrooms at work and worried about germs, have you stopped to think about all the other things you touch at the office that others also are touching? Copier, fax, door knobs, light switches, desks, walls, coffee urn, refrigerator, microwave ? You just THINK you are getting rid of germs by washing your hands or using hand sanitizer. Unless you are walking around with a bleach wipe in each hand all day long you are constantly exposed to germs. And it is a good thing too. Otherwise you would have been dead a long time ago from some disease.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Not washing one's hands after using the bathroom is a great way to end up with Hepatitis A. Check with your doctor if you don't believe that statement.

Proper washing of one's hands:

Get the paper towels (FIRST).
Turn on the water, wet hands,
Put soap on hands (if you have an allergy then carry your own, it's not rocket science. If you have other issues with sore hands/skin, you need to be even more concerned about germs. There are methods and medicines available for skin conditions. NOT washing one's hands is NOT an option).

Scrub (yes, use friction and pressure) the palms, between the fingers, and the backs of your hands. Sing the birthday song, It's a Small World, whatever floats your boat... but scrub for at least 30 seconds).

Rinse with fingertips down.

USING PAPER TOWELS turn off the water and dry hands. If you have to use your hands to open the door, USE THE PAPER TOWEL! Throw it out somewhere else, if you cannot open the door with it and then throw it out in the bathroom.

There is NO excuse, so don't even try.

As for anyone not flushing or leaving behind bodily fluids for another person to have to deal with, that is simply disgusting and anti-social. Period.

Ugh.

 

[Angelhalo]

There is NO excuse, so don't even try.

I already gave my excuse and will stick with it until one day my terrible excema magicly disappears and whoever doesn't like it can kiss my bootay

 

[Judy in Texas]

I already gave my excuse and will stick with it until one day my terrible excema magicly disappears and whoever doesn't like it can kiss my bootay

Ok... but please kindly decline to shake my hand if we should ever meet and PLEASE don't bring any home made food to the next pot luck.

 

[ckay87]

We have auto-flushers at the office which is fantastic. However, it's amazing how quickly you get used to that. I've caught myself several times walking out of stalls without flushing (of course I then turn around to take care of it).

 

[Angelhalo]

Ok... but please kindly decline to shake my hand if we should ever meet and PLEASE don't bring any home made food to the next pot luck.

I bring food to ALL the potlucks and wash my hands before I make it. I may have terrible hands but I'm not a moron. I wash my hands when I cook. I have a degree in foods and nutrition

And I don't shake anyone's nasty hands not even at church. And since we'll most likely never meet, it shouldn't be a problem.