Bathroom Etiquette - What annoys you the most?
By realan
@realan (518)
United States
September 14, 2009 3:03pm CST
I was just reading an article on office bathroom etiquette. For example, the usual stuff, like washing your hands, flushing, not talking when you're in the stall, talking on the cellphone etc. I dislike when the whole bathroom is empty and there are 10 stalls, and someone walks in and goes to the stall next to you. My friends and I at work always complain about this. It's different if the whole bathroom is full, but when it's empty why would you do that. I'm more conscious of this when I go in also. I try not to go next to someone unless there is no other alternative. Don't know why it bothers me. But, why would you want to go next to someone if you didn't have to? Worse...people who don't check if everything is flushed. Yuck! Do you have any weird bathroom etiquette stories or annoyances?
3 people like this
29 responses
@maui_gomez_lim (1017)
• Philippines
15 Sep 09
I not really comfortable using public bathrooms and its a good thing that I have my own bathroom in my workplace. I don't have to share it with others. What I don't like with public bathrooms are: the smell, the mess, too crowded, and too noisy.
1 person likes this
@faikeijames (247)
• United States
15 Sep 09
Gosh where do you work? lol I would love to have my own bathroom! Hats off to your successes! lol
@joelbetances (6)
• United States
14 Sep 09
i hate when people dont flush, leave tooth paste bits bihind and leave bathroom florr all wet
1 person likes this
@realan (518)
• United States
15 Sep 09
That is gross! I knew someone at work that never washed her hands. She was always meeting clients, so I would think she would have to do a lot of hand shaking! Yuck! I guess people looked at her funny in the ladies room, because she once volunteered to explain. 'My hands get so dry when I wash them.' Gee, have you ever heard of lotion! Thanks for sharing!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
14 Sep 09
I am so glad they invented the automatic toilet flusher....if there is one thing I hate and that is to go into a stall and find the toilet not flushed....or women's things not properly disposed of and left out for everyone to see! That really bugs me!
1 person likes this
@realan (518)
• United States
15 Sep 09
The auto flusher does save us from some unpleasant surprises. But, sometimes even an auto flusher doesn't remove everything. I think everyone should check before they leave their stall. Where I work we have auto flushers and half the time it doesn't flush down everything. When I go in, I still find remainders in the toilet. We are a very green building and I don't think it uses enought water to flush. So I end up flushing twice, which defeats the purpose. Thanks for your comment!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
14 Sep 09
Well, first of all, I think it is necessary for me to preface this with the fact that I absolutely hate public bathrooms. Don't know exactly why, but I've never been a fan of them.
As far as the things that drive me nuts when I am subjected to using a public restroom, the first thing that drives me insane is the fact that you have to wait in line to use the ladies room. The reason that it drives me batty is the fact that there is inevitably the woman that thinks she is too good to wait in line and will cut in front of the people that are waiting to use the commode.
The other thing that drives me nuts is the people that don't flush the toilet in a crowded bathroom. I refuse to use a toilet that hasn't been flushed and then I get ugly looks from people when I won't go into it.
1 person likes this
@realan (518)
• United States
15 Sep 09
Definitely! Public bathrooms are horrible and I definitely try to avoid them as much as possible. Of course, my daughter seems to always have to go to the bathroom when we are out. Lines also drive me batty and you do get the person cutting in. 'Oh sorry, I didn't realize there was a line.' Hello! Do you think we are just hanging out "in a line formation" because we have nothing better to do? LOL!
@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
15 Sep 09
It annoys me when someone is next to me in a stall and they are talking on a cell phone....and even worse is when they complain when you flush because of the noise...imagine...some people think they are able to do whatever they want!
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
15 Sep 09
hi realan I am retired so dont have to worry so much about office stuff but my roomie has the disgusting habit of forgetting to'flush
and in a warm climate like ours Southern ca this causes an
unbearable odor.I dislike being her servant and going around 'flsuhing after her, but I do it so I can bear to live in our room. I mentioned this to her and she just nodded. so every time I go in there she always says dont forget to flush.lord save me, I dont forget, but she does. when I was working we only had one bathroom for the staff so there was no need to worry about nextdoor stalls,just about how long each person took,we could of course use the ladies room in the library also a nd I usually did.
@faikeijames (247)
• United States
15 Sep 09
Grrrr...that would irritate me too! Flushing the toilet, you would think, is a natural thing to do after you finish...right? lol
@tintukm (1102)
• India
15 Sep 09
I always see the bathrooms clean at least,the improper working of the equipments over at the bathrooms always make me feel very tired and also gives a disgusting feeling.The people mustn't be so busy that they can't even flush out their remaining,after all its a good habit too to keep the places clean even if its not our own home. .
My home has a clean and fresh bathroom,because I do the regulars always at the time after use.
@faikeijames (247)
• United States
15 Sep 09
I'm a female...and women are the worst when it comes to bathroom etiquette. They pee on the seat, don't flush at times, don't wash their hands, leave toilet paper on the floor and the cake winning...leave used pads on the floor/visible. Women are nasty! I've been in all kinds of bathrooms..this happens in the best and cleanest building too, not just rest stops. Let's get it together ladies!
@gmatthews (154)
• United States
15 Sep 09
I have a phobia of public bathrooms. I have this whole routine that I need to do. I take toilet paper and wipe around the entire seat, then I lay toilet paper down, then I straddle to pee. I hate it when someone pisses all over the seat and then just leaves it there, erspecially if they come out and you go right in. I mean you were face to face with them and they can't find two seconds to wipe the seat. Or when there is blood smeared on the seat...that's just nasty. Come on ladies, do you do that at home?
1 person likes this
@prikayjo2436 (699)
• United States
15 Sep 09
I know that if the bathroom is full, I would go on the other end of the person that is already there! Now about my issue on public bathrooms!?! Yes! If it is a bathroom other than a family or friend, I have to carry these sanitary wipes that I bought, and just clean the rim of the toilet! I know that this is a little over board but, it is something that I have to do! I wipe the rim, and then I dry it off with some toilet paper, than I am able to go freely! You think that its weird?
@alatecablebill (519)
• Philippines
15 Sep 09
people who don't flush the toiler after using annoy me the most.
and in public toilets, i do not understand why people step on the bowl. it's so gross and dirty.
@CadieGirl07 (5)
• United States
15 Sep 09
The most annoying thing in a public bathroom is when someone is standing in front of the ONLY sink/mirror doing their makeup, plucking their eyebrows, taking their sweet time. I just want to wash my hands and get out of there!
My Mom never shuts the door, which is extremely awkward. I've never had to guts to ask her why, but as I get older I avoid going in with her :)
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
15 Sep 09
I'd probably be one to annoy you because to be honest....I just go in and go to whatever stall is open without paying any attention at all if it is next to someone or not. I really don't even notice. It isn't often that I use public restrooms but now I am going to be paying attention and make sure that I don't do that. talking on cellphones doesn't bother me. Not flushing...toilet paper all over the floor...not washing hands....those things are a turn off. Oh...tampax and pads that are not properly disposed of.
@Archie0 (5652)
•
15 Sep 09
Yes i need total bathroom etiquettes, i hate my bathroom to stink and be sirty even to step over.I hate the marks on taps and empty bottles or dampness in it.I always try hard that i feel plaesant whenever i am in my bathroom because for me my bathroom matters a lot.And i never allow anyone to enter until they are really got some bathroom manners.
@seanbryan (349)
• United Arab Emirates
15 Sep 09
Hi realan,
We have a common toilet for nearby offices in our building and it is disgusting when somebody leaves the toilet without flashing and leaving the toilet seat and floor wet. Some ladies would intentionally wash their feet on top of the seat as Muslim way of cleaning up before praying. It's fine when they'll clean or dry it up after washing as tissues and mops are there.
@marctiu (829)
• Philippines
15 Sep 09
I would totally agree with you. I hate people who step right beside you to urinate when there are many vacant urinals around. I just do not understand them why they have to be beside someone to urinate. Why can't they be far away. Some of them will take a peek and I really hate them for that. It is part of stealing. I also dislike when someone finish using the toilet and do not flush their waste. It really disgust me, especially if what you see is very disgusting and also smelly. I can imagine it right now. Wow, I believe that bathroom etiquette nowadays are not keenly observed by many. Some do not even wash their hands after using the toilet. That is very gross. It is very Ewww.
I hope they would observe this etiquette it is very important to know this because it is very useful especially when you become a popular man or woman.
@alexaeluna (134)
• Philippines
15 Sep 09
i hate it when people don't flush after they're done. it's disgusting to look at other people's wastes. and i hate it when some girls throw tissue in the toilet bowl when there's a trash can beside the toilet. don't they know that it's difficult to flush tissue? and that it clogs the toilet? another thing, some girls throw their sanitary napkins inside the toilet bowl. why is that? that's so gross. why can't they wrap it in tissue first then throw it in the trash can?