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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to do my make up in the bathroom at work

246 replies

GonnaBeYoniThisChristmas · 14/11/2024 20:53

When I get into work I often spend five mins in the ladies loo doing my make up.

A colleague told me the other day that “some people” feel uncomfortable using the loo when I am “standing around in there”. I think she meant because I am outside the cubicle doors standing at the basin/mirror.

I thought doing your make up at work was no more intrusive than washing your hands!

OP posts:
MiniPumpkin · 16/11/2024 11:28

I do mine in work car park (in my car of course). Better lighting depending on time of arrival.

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 11:19

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 16/11/2024 09:53

If you're (presumably) in a closed cubicle, the only signs that you're having a poo are the sounds.

I would venture to say that, if somebody goes into a public/work toilet and would be resolutely horrified and disgusted to hear any sounds related to people having a poo in there, that really is very much a 'them' problem.

Edited

And smells

Swivelhead · 16/11/2024 11:18

People are weird.

Having a shit in a loo is normal, acceptable. Encouraged even.

I would understand more if you were worried about people detecting you having a shit behind the photocopier. That would indeed be embarrassing.

Op, do your makeup where you want. Angsters gonna angst about anything. I much prefer someone doing makeup in the bathroom where they can wash their hands than doing it at their desk.

ClytemnestraWasMisunderstood · 16/11/2024 11:10

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 16/11/2024 09:38

I never understand the prevailing attitude that using a toilet as a toilet is bad, wrong or shameful.

It's purpose-designed around two main necessary tasks that we all regularly do, but people have randomly decided in huge numbers that one of those tasks should be excluded! There's a cubicle surrounding you; nobody's expecting you to do it in public view!!

People can clearly hear tinkling and splashing sounds when you have a wee, so maybe we should all stop weeing in public/work toilets as well?

Might as well just close all the women's toilets outside of private homes, and just have men's toilets - as they don't seem to have any objection to using toilets as toilets. That would work well, eh...?

To be honest, of all the unseemly things that people could potentially be getting up to in a public/work toilet cubicle, somebody just having a poo is far preferential.

And, of course, this completely ignores the many people with IBS and other bowel/continence issues, who have no alternative to the 'shame' of using a toilet as a toilet when away from home.

Edited

I don't think it's bad per se.
Personally, I cannot ablute within 'earshot' of anyone. I don't understand how people can use the loo while someone is in the bath (if both are in bathroom). That's just yukky for everyone and would require several scented candles to ameliorate the smell while one continues in the bath!
I don't even like someone talking to me through loo door!
Of course I understand reasons why pooing at work/the theatre and other public places happens, esp for those with bowel connditions. But ordinary pooing? Non!!

phoenixrosehere · 16/11/2024 10:27

zaxxon · 16/11/2024 09:38

The cubicles are private but the sink/mirror area is public (well, semi-public). Anyone eligible to use the bathroom has a right to be in there.

Presumably OP is not doing a full Insta-style half-hour contouring job with her makeup. She's just using the sink and mirror for a quick brush-up, which she's perfectly entitled to do.

Exactly.

Many people put on make-up in public loos yet somehow doing it at work is a problem and it must only be done at home.

How do others cope going to bathrooms in other public places if putting on make-up is such an issue?

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 16/11/2024 09:53

If you're (presumably) in a closed cubicle, the only signs that you're having a poo are the sounds.

I would venture to say that, if somebody goes into a public/work toilet and would be resolutely horrified and disgusted to hear any sounds related to people having a poo in there, that really is very much a 'them' problem.

zaxxon · 16/11/2024 09:38

KimberleyClark · 16/11/2024 09:32

This. A public loo is meant to be a private place, someone standing there while you are doing your business makes it feel less so. It’s intrusive.

The cubicles are private but the sink/mirror area is public (well, semi-public). Anyone eligible to use the bathroom has a right to be in there.

Presumably OP is not doing a full Insta-style half-hour contouring job with her makeup. She's just using the sink and mirror for a quick brush-up, which she's perfectly entitled to do.

TheHangingGardensOfBasildon · 16/11/2024 09:38

ClytemnestraWasMisunderstood · 16/11/2024 08:59

Who poos at work unless taken short??!!!!
I mean, I'd be backed up to buggery before pooing at work!

I never understand the prevailing attitude that using a toilet as a toilet is bad, wrong or shameful.

It's purpose-designed around two main necessary tasks that we all regularly do, but people have randomly decided in huge numbers that one of those tasks should be excluded! There's a cubicle surrounding you; nobody's expecting you to do it in public view!!

People can clearly hear tinkling and splashing sounds when you have a wee, so maybe we should all stop weeing in public/work toilets as well?

Might as well just close all the women's toilets outside of private homes, and just have men's toilets - as they don't seem to have any objection to using toilets as toilets. That would work well, eh...?

To be honest, of all the unseemly things that people could potentially be getting up to in a public/work toilet cubicle, somebody just having a poo is far preferential.

And, of course, this completely ignores the many people with IBS and other bowel/continence issues, who have no alternative to the 'shame' of using a toilet as a toilet when away from home.

KimberleyClark · 16/11/2024 09:32

ThisIsSockward · 14/11/2024 20:55

Some people get 'stage fright' in public restrooms. If someone's washing their hands, it's usually noisy and fast, then they're gone. Someone quietly applying make-up will be more likely to overhear whatever's happening in the stalls. I'm not surprised some people don't like it, to tell the truth.

This. A public loo is meant to be a private place, someone standing there while you are doing your business makes it feel less so. It’s intrusive.

DeliciousApples · 16/11/2024 09:31

Oh no @Dunderass's post has been removed. I came back to have another laugh and it's gone. Disappointed. It was hilarious.

Can't believe people are saying it's ok to use the disabled loo if it doesn't have a radar lock!!! WTF. The clue is in the name. Disabled. Only use if you need to because you're disabled. What happened that made people so entitled ☹️

AnnaDelvorkina · 16/11/2024 09:29

Is it that you’re taking up space so it’s awkward for others to get to the sink?

Personally I don’t think it’s very pleasant to see a colleague do their make-up every morning, but I wouldn’t complain to you.

Can’t you do it at home like everyone else?

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:26

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:26

Have a good weeked. 😬

And you I'm off to have brunch and a large coffee. 😀

pilates · 16/11/2024 09:26

Tbf the op was quite amenable in her posts and didn’t realise it made some people feel uncomfortable. Which is better than not giving a fuck and not my fucking problem mentality.

Coconutter24 · 16/11/2024 09:26

zaxxon · 16/11/2024 08:06

Naturally you wouldn't think that in the course of everyday life - but you might in the context of this thread (and now you have!)

No I still haven’t thought about what a cyclist would do tbh, I read the question but I still haven’t put any thought into what they would do

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:26

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:21

Fair enough

Have a good weeked. 😬

CaptainRedbeardandbigbadbarry · 16/11/2024 09:21

zaxxon · 16/11/2024 08:56

I agree with others, though, that it doesn't sound the most hygienic option: you touching, brushing, dabbing at your face with all of those pooticles flying around in the airspace.

This will probably earn me "shocked face" emojis, but my office toilets are much cleaner than my home toilet. I could really do with a friendly squad of Portuguese cleaners coming round every few hours with the Jif tbh.

This made me laugh…
🤣

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:21

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:20

I have no idea what you are on about.

Fair enough

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:20

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:20

Suggestion was make up user uses accessible toilet.
Outcry! That's only for people with disability!
Q -How do we know person doing make up doesn't have disability?
A - they're not in the accessible loo.
To which I say - and? You can have a disability and still use the "non accessible" loo as well as the accessible one - it's not segregation

Edited

I have no idea what you are on about.

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:20

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:15

Eh? What? Are you misquoting?

Suggestion was make up user uses accessible toilet.
Outcry! That's only for people with disability!
Q -How do we know person doing make up doesn't have disability?
A - they're not in the accessible loo.
To which I say - and? You can have a disability and still use the "non accessible" loo as well as the accessible one - it's not segregation

burnoutbabe · 16/11/2024 09:18

kitsuneghost · 16/11/2024 08:56

Why people can't just pee and poo in a toilet is beyond me. But doing make up woikd only annoy me if it was limiting sink space.

Well indeed!

What happens if 2 nervous poo-ers are in at the same time. Do they both try and wait the other out?

I have to brush my teeth after lunch before putting brace back in. So that takes a few minutes. I haven't considered all the post lunch poo-ers in this.

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:15

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:14

Oh sorry are we only allowed in the accessible toilet? Missed that memo

Eh? What? Are you misquoting?

VanillaPlanifolia · 16/11/2024 09:14

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 08:38

Eh?
The person doing their make up isn't in the disabled facility. 🫣

Oh sorry are we only allowed in the accessible toilet? Missed that memo

ClytemnestraWasMisunderstood · 16/11/2024 09:14

kitsuneghost · 16/11/2024 09:04

I poo before a leave for work and poo when I get to work.
I also poo again at various points through the day.
I have a very healthy diet with lots of fibre.

Omg!!

DieStrassensindimmernass · 16/11/2024 09:12

Skepticgal · 16/11/2024 09:04

I do as do loads of people because that's what toilets are for.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but working long hours and/or having a sensitive digestive system, then needs must.
I'm not sure why some folk are so judgemental of where folk poop.
I remember an acquaintance tell me she had so scared to poo on holiday that she actually took Immodium - tjis was an intelligent woman!

phoenixrosehere · 16/11/2024 09:11

If a public bathroom is only to use the loo and wash hands, then they should just take out the mirrors.