There should be some kind of etiquette or protocol around restrooms, and that memo apparently missed the office I work in. I typically use the following rule: always leave a buffer stall between myself and the next person. If you can, leave more than one buffer stall. You see, there are seven, yes SEVEN, stalls in the office restroom I’m subjected to all day long. Many times, thankfully, it’s empty. However, more often than not someone will arrive while I’m in a stall. And very often, more often than makes sense, the stall next to mine will be taken by that person. Seven stalls, only one occupied, and the person will choose the one next to me. And oftentimes I’m in the farthest stall from the door, so they have to pass a whole lot of empty stalls to get to the one right next to me. And this happens regularly enough to warrant a blog post.
It’s pretty simple protocol:
- If you can choose a stall that’s at least one stall away from someone, take it. Give your coworkers some buffer. The more buffer the better.
And while we’re here, also:
- Don’t talk on a cell phone in the stall. That’s gross.
- Preferably don’t talk to me while I’m in a stall. That’s awkward.
There are many pages online about bathroom etiquette. Here’s one of my favorites, although targeted at a mens restroom instead:
http://blag.xkcd.com/2009/09/02/urinal-protocol-vulnerability/
And articles:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5453318_bathroom-stall-etiquette.html
http://ryanswing.blogspot.com/2009/02/public-bathroom-stalluranal-etiquette.html
And other office workers in the same boat:
http://www.unleashyouranger.com/content/view/84/31/
http://www.johnsjottings.com/archives/2003/06/26/a_note_on_bathroom_etiquette.html
At least I’m not alone.