Category
Restroom
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 6: The Handicapped Stall
03.30.09 | Permalink | 3 CommentsIt doesn’t belong to the handicapped
Accessibility laws in this country mandate that all public restrooms include at least one stall that is specially equipped for use by handicapped people. Just as they mandate ramps and various other accommodations. The aim is to make sure that all people have equitable access to public places.[...]
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 5: Lifting the Seat
It doesn’t always need to be down
I’m going to buck conventional wisdom a bit on this one, so bear with me, please. I know it’s practically considered gospel that toilet seats should always be left down after use, but I just don’t agree.
Women always need the seat down. Men need it down sometimes, up other times. So mathematically speaking, it is true that the seat is used in the down[...]
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 4: Closed Door = Occupied
Think before you Knock
The vast majority of men’s room stall doors are in an open position by default. In order for those doors to be closed, the door must be pushed closed physically and locked from the inside by the current occupant. Why is it, then, that increasingly[...]
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 3: On Flushing
Don’t Leave Me any Surprises
I still haven’t started writing that first novel, but I’ve often envisioned my protagonist as a guy who flushes all the urinals and toilets every time he visits the public men’s room. That’s how many times I’ve encountered a public restroom with an unflushed toilet. It’s actually influenced me creatively.
I’m never more starkly reminded that not all men are alike than whenever I walk into a public restroom and find unflushed toilets. What possesses some men[...]
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 2: Regarding Conversation
08.11.08 | Permalink | 2 CommentsDon’t Talk to Strangers
There are two schools of thought when it comes to conversation in men’s rooms. Some men believe this is as good a venue as any to strike up a casual conversation about anything; others, like myself, would rather just get the job done and move on with as little spoken exchange as possible.
One thing is for sure: Men in general don’t go to the rest room with the express intention of having a conversation, no matter how many scenes from Happy Days suggest otherwise.
Because of this, it’s probably best practice not to talk at all, or at least to only speak when necessary, unless you’re absolutely sure[...]
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Restroom
Men’s Room Etiquette Part 1: The Separation Rule
07.28.08 | Permalink | 7 CommentsGive a guy a little space
Public men’s rooms vary in size and layout, but there are some simple guidelines to follow regarding giving everyone in the room the proper amount of privacy.
To quote George Costanza, “I’m a stall man” myself; if there’s a stall available, I’m going to use it 99.9% of the time, because I like my privacy. I’m not ashamed to admit it: I get stage fright sometimes. Personally, if I were designing a men’s room, I’d have nothing but stalls in there, but since I don’t design men’s rooms, I have to deal with what’s presented to me [...]
