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Original poster

Toilet cubicle etiquette

244 replies

MaryBethMayfair · 20/06/2024 10:49

Female toilets in work. As per diagram.
AIBU that C is the 'correct' choice of cubicle, assuming all cubicles are empty upon entry?

I was just in cubicle C, and someone entered moments behind me, and went into B. I think that's madness and can't fathom why, out of the two remaining cubicles available, you'd opt to go into the one right next to someone. curious to know if others would have done the same.

I believe that statistically, A is apparently the cleanest cubicle, due to it being used least.

YABU: B is a good cubicle choice, I like to be in the middle of things.
YANBU: B is madness and should only be selected when A and C are otherwise engaged.

Toilet cubicle etiquette
OP posts:
Mumofyellows · 20/06/2024 12:55

Maybe the other one had no loo roll in or was dirty?

dunkdemunder · 20/06/2024 12:55

Your first assertion that if all are empty then C is the correct toilet cubicle to use is weird

Mochudubh · 20/06/2024 12:55

I'm with you OP.

I also flush before adjusting my clothing so I can check it's flushed properly.

A lot of women seem to do the opposite, flush and immediately exit the cubicle and USE THE SINK FURTHEST AWAY, leaving me to either wait till they leave so I can use "my" sink, knowing my cubicle is clean or use the sink opposite their cubicle and risk someone coming in, going into the other cubicle and find a big unflushed turd and think it's mine. 😱

We're obviously not the only ones overthinking it, otherwise why would anyone not use the sink opposite the cubicle they've used? Presumably they don't want to check and be confronted by their own unflushed turd.

CaptainMyCaptain · 20/06/2024 12:54

I generally go in A because, as OP says, that tends to be the one least used.

Ribidibidibidoobahday · 20/06/2024 12:53

I make sure I don't go in the same cubicle as someone else. Beyond that I can't think about much more when I need to wee.

Mnk711 · 20/06/2024 12:52

I would probably go into B because I would go for tje cleanest and least well used. If no one else were using them at all I would go in C so I assume that's people's preference so would avoid C for that reason. I'd guess if someone was in C most people would go in A and therefore B is probably least used in your scenario, but it depends on the set up. I'd be most focused on the least grotty rather than which other cubicles were occupied as public toilets make me feel a bit queasy! I'm very sensitive to smells....

RedRobyn2021 · 20/06/2024 12:51

Also, they may have looked in A and it was dirty

RedRobyn2021 · 20/06/2024 12:50

YABVU IMO this wouldn't even occur to me what's the problem. They're no urinals fgs

LunaMay · 20/06/2024 12:50

A is the most used toilet in our workplace, only the nerds use C.

Anonym00se · 20/06/2024 12:49

I’d choose C. It’s furthest from the door so statistically the cleanest. A would be the dirtiest. If there was no toilet paper, or pee on the seat or a floating turd, then B would be my next choice.

Retrogamer · 20/06/2024 12:49

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/06/2024 12:46

I always close the lid to flush, should I be opening it again afterwards?

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Absolutely not! You do what you do. I close the lid at home too, it prevents a spray of germs.
The only reason why I avoid closed lids now is last time I opened one, it looked like someone emptied their entire dinner into it 🤮 so it's really just a me problem.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/06/2024 12:46

Retrogamer · 20/06/2024 12:42

I tend to avoid toilets that have the lid down - from horrible experiences..

Going into a cubicle next to me doesn't bother me, we're all enclosed. My main concern is just to use a clean/flushed toilet where the door locks and has toilet paper.

So all in all, I inspect the closest available toilet and work my way down them. Most of the time that tends to be the first one to me. So A in your diagram.

I always close the lid to flush, should I be opening it again afterwards?

Retrogamer · 20/06/2024 12:42

I tend to avoid toilets that have the lid down - from horrible experiences..

Going into a cubicle next to me doesn't bother me, we're all enclosed. My main concern is just to use a clean/flushed toilet where the door locks and has toilet paper.

So all in all, I inspect the closest available toilet and work my way down them. Most of the time that tends to be the first one to me. So A in your diagram.

YouJustDoYou · 20/06/2024 12:42

Seriously?

Americano75 · 20/06/2024 12:41

MaryBethMayfair · 20/06/2024 10:55

Oh dear, I assumed it would be obvious that this was a light-hearted pondering as opposed to "worrying" about it. Diagram because I'm having a very slow work-day and it killed 30 seconds.

Seems everything must be clearly stated on MN these days. Ah well.

You can't win op. On another thread people are losing their minds about 'not being able to make a joke' anymore. 😆

For what it's worth, I'm with you.

Hb7x3 · 20/06/2024 12:39

Megifer · 20/06/2024 12:13

Then you leave the toilet and go back 10 minutes later, or drive home to go to the toilet, or go to a local Tesco or something.

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I'd be pissing myself if I tried any of these 😄

HooverHunting · 20/06/2024 12:37

I would go B, simply to make it easier if someone else came in and had to squeeze past me coming out of the cubicle to the sinks

Cattery · 20/06/2024 12:37

I’d choose the one furthest away from the one that was occupied. This always puzzled me at work. I used to think “I can’t even have a piss in peace”

yarnwitch · 20/06/2024 12:36

This wouldn't even cross my mind. Maybe A had no loo roll

dementedpixie · 20/06/2024 12:35

Who cares??
Maybe she had a preferred cubicle and that happens to be B. At the sports centre I often use the middle one as the end one has a dodgy flusher and the first one has a wonky seat.

Hb7x3 · 20/06/2024 12:35

It wouldn't even cross my mind, I just head for whatever one I see and check it's clean enough to use.

DilemmaDelilah · 20/06/2024 12:33

I would always choose to use the cubicle furthest away from one that is occupied UNLESS I needed a bigger cubicle (some are slightly wider and with pull open doors rather than push) OR other cubicles were dirty, wet, or had no toilet paper.

PuppyMonkey · 20/06/2024 12:30

I can honestly say, I’ve never ever thought about this issue before and just go in with no pre-determined pattern or policy in place. Sometimes it would be the middle, other times the far end. I’m a massive failure.

User1974 · 20/06/2024 12:28

This applies to men stood at urinals and those squat loos that have no partitions - not cubicles.

Bearbookagainandagain · 20/06/2024 12:27

When I don't think about it, I take the closest one. Therefore I always thought the farthest was the cleanest, but now I realise some people (like you) thinks the opposite so my grand strategy is ruined... Damn it...!