Pooing in public loos - yes or no?

[samarrange]

Inspired by about half of the posts in this thread (which is basically on a different topic, but its OP mentioned public loos and things kept, er, moving).

It seems that MN is totally split on whether having a poo in a public loo (or, presumably, a pub, the library, the office, anywhere that isn't your home or your hotel) is either "the worst thing imaginable", or "completely normal, what's all the fuss about?".

I don’t understand who these people are who can just decide not to poo when they need to, potentially for hours. I know they exist but I don’t understand how it works?!? I have to go when I have to go, public loo or otherwise.

I can only imagine people’s bowels must work in different ways.

As far as I am aware I have totally normal bowels and yes sometimes it would be difficult or very uncomfortable not to go for the length of time I am out of the house. Much like going for a wee really.

Haha yes. I always check the bog roll.situation before committing to a cubicle.

I don’t mind pooing in public toilets, it’s perfectly natural and everyone poos. Maybe I’m not the norm though as I’m pretty happy go lucky, poo doesn’t gross me out and I’m not embarrassed by it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m too open xD

At the risk of detailing the thread…how does not having an inner monologue work?

How do thoughts form in your head? If you suddenly remover the bins need taking out do you not think “I need to take the bins out?” In words?

(

my friend was like this, she had nerve problems which meant if she had to go it was sudden and urgent, but she was terrified of public toilets and being judged and it really limited her life which many people probably don’t think about. I helped her in tandem with a CBT therapist and exposure therapy and now she is able to go out further from home more

I mean I would prefer not to but if I have to go then I do! Always have poo pourri spray in my bag as I’m really self conscious

genuine question to the small majority who voted not in a million years, if you are at the point of no return, do you do it in your pants?

You’re assuming other people’s bowels work like clockwork like yours and people are just thinking “I’ll wait until I get to work and get paid to poo”?

I just don’t have a set pattern. Maybe after waking most commonly but could be evening, middle of the afternoon, Twice in one day, nothing the next.

@Iscumaliom Hi sis! In reality you won’t be but she is exactly the same as you.

Raising my hand for the agoraphobic bum club

A creative name xD

Nooo it's a nope for me. Wees too, but on the rare occasion I'll need to.
I hate public toilets. I'm not a germaphobe, but public toilets are always so visibly dirty, that I just can't tolerate it. I'm also too self-conscious; I would be mortified to inflict a smell on anyone else.

I genuinely used to think people that pooped in public toilets were gross and selfish; it wasn't until I started using parenting forums (where people talk about this stuff!) that i learnt some people couldn't hold on, whether it's IBS or any other reason. I honestly had no idea! I thought everyone could hold on like i can.
So that has opened my eyes and I no longer think that at all of other people, and feel bad that I did!

This is what I do not understand. While I have a very good idea of what my body is likely to do throughout the day and at what time, I don't have much say in the matter.

Of course it’s normal.. only on MN would people say it’s not

Honestly people who won’t sit on public toilet seats! Why ever not

My thoughts exactly

I think for some it’s a germ issue because of the tbh ought that bums have been on the same surface, plus some toilets will have wee/poo on them

I have a ridiculous fear of pooping in a public bathroom. I’m 68 years old. No one give a shit about me pooping or not. I think it’s just something psychological in my mind and I know how stupid it is but I can’t change my mind. Lol. I really wish I didn’t have a problem but I do. MiraLAX is my friend when I need it.

It’a not stupid, it’s a legitimate and common fear that can be overcome

Well you can see if there’s anything on them and you aren’t going to catch any germs from someone else’s bum

genuine question to the small majority who voted not in a million years, if you are at the point of no return, do you do it in your pants?
I can honestly say I have never reached that point. Like others have mentioned, my bowel seems to shut down when I'm out. This only applies to toilets that are connected to other toilets if you see what I mean. I am fine in a hotel room en-suite. I am unable to go glamping for more than three nights as I discovered that is my limit and I had to leave a festival early. Even though each toilet cubicle was kind of self contained, with a basin, there was no way I could poo there (and I was heaving at the thought of people poo-ing in adjoining cubicles).

Mine is not a germ issue, it’s a privacy issue.

because people know you are going?

I really don’t know and it’s probably that, I do know that it’s not healthy. I’ve also have gotten worse since I’m older.