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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Toilet etiquette

42 replies

dillydotty · 28/05/2016 16:32

I was going to name change for this but didn't want anyone thinking I was the poo troll.

The women's loos at work has seven cubicles. I needed a poo and hate going at work. So I got to the loos and it was empty, result. I chose the end cubicle and sat down. I heard the main door open and someone came in. Out of the six remaining loos whoever it was chose the only one next to mine and started straining loudly.

Am I being unreasonable to think that it is only good manners to choose one of the five cubicles that don't adjoin the only other occupied loo?

OP posts:
NashvilleQueen · 28/05/2016 16:33

YANBU. It's like in an empty cinema when people come and sit in the seat next to you. No need.

Oysterbabe · 28/05/2016 16:36

Who does this?! Some people are just fucking weird.

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 16:36

It's bizarre, even when I am just having a wee there, nine times out of ten someone does the same thing. I just don't get it.

OP posts:
LupoLoopy · 28/05/2016 16:38

Asked the wife to confirm, just to make sure I wasn't offering a mansplaination.

Always go to the furthest cubical/urinal away, unless it is mechanically failing.

Some people are W E I R D.

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 16:41

I'm glad it's not just me then!

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 28/05/2016 16:47

YANBU people should never use the one immediately next to the occupied one.

It's the same with treadmills at the gym - I always leave at least one empty machine between me and the nearest occupied one.

Ditto car parks (although I can guarantee that even if I park in an almost empty car park someone will always park right next to me....why??)

Roobix04 · 28/05/2016 16:49

Same with bus seats and at the cinema. Keep a polite space.

ilovesooty · 28/05/2016 16:50

Perhaps I'm strange. I never even notice whether people use the next cubicle to me and if I do I never think about it.

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 16:52

The beach is another one. There is a beautiful sandy beach nearby. It's a bugger to get to but is usually empty. Last year we had it all to ourselves one morning until a family came along and sathe 10ft away. Why would you do that?

OP posts:
DuckAndPancakes · 28/05/2016 16:54

YANBU
This massively bothers me. I have public toilet anxiety, if that's even a thing, so it freaks me out having someone so close when going and I'm only thinking of a wee. Don't enter the next cubicle unless absolutely necessary.

emmalimesmom · 28/05/2016 16:54

maybe the other toilets were filthy ive gone into a toilet only to find some one hasnt flushed or dirty toilet roll on the floor and walked straight back out

on a lighter note maybe she was hoping that she would finish before you and and if anyone came in the waft was coming from your direction Grin

MeadowHay · 28/05/2016 16:57

YANBU, that is weird and I wouldn't be able to do my shit afterwards probably as I get awful shit shyness.

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 16:59

No manky other toilets. I have only ever found one unpleasant toilet since I have worked there.

OP posts:
Olddear · 28/05/2016 17:01

Oh, I hate that too!!

WeirdAndPissedOff · 28/05/2016 17:02

I can never understand when people do this! Though I'm especially fussy at work in that I won't do a poo in a bathroom if there's already someone in there. Blush

Only thing I can think of is that maybe the one next to you is nicer? We have 2 cubicles per toilet, and since one has a window and a sanitary disposal bin everyone uses that one. Or perhaps the others were not as clean as a pp suggested.
I think some people just don't think anything of it, though.

Jasonandyawegunorts · 28/05/2016 17:03

Maybe it's a neatness thing.... using them in order....

I'll give myself a Biscuit and leave the thread.

honkinghaddock · 28/05/2016 17:07

Perhaps she likes to use the end one so since you were in it, the one next to it is the next best thing.

IfTheCapFitsWearIt · 28/05/2016 17:12

Same with camping/caravaning, if it's just a plain farmers field.

Go into a completely empty field, set up start spreading out. Then inevitable along comes someone else, and pitches up right next to youConfused

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 17:14

The cubicles are all identical and perfectly clean (which I am eternally grateful for after working with a load of dirty bastards in my last job).

OP posts:
RubbishMantra · 28/05/2016 17:17

Perhaps they were just being friendly? Grin

Albadross · 28/05/2016 17:29

Norbert my DH is always moaning because I park next to a car in an empty car park... I think it's like when you go to a spin class and nobody will sit right in front of the instructor - you're just meant to fill up from one place, no?

As we're talking poo, how do you address the 'you've just heard my poo hitting the water and now I have to come out of the cubicle and hope nobody else heard' awkwardness?

littleshirleybeans · 28/05/2016 17:34

Albatross

You put loo roll down the loo first to minimise the sound! Grin

ScreenshottingIsNotJournalism · 28/05/2016 17:36

I read somewhere that statistically people are most likely to go to the last few cubicles. The first cubicles are rarely used. So if you want extra clean cublicles with more personal space, go to door no1!

if you go to the last cubicle you'll most likely get next door company, there's something about shitting away from the door that make people like the far corner.. I dunno..

PirateJones · 28/05/2016 17:43

There's something about shitting away from the door that make people like the far corner.. I dunno..

Animal instincts i suppose, animals also like the far corner of the room.

Original poster
dillydotty · 28/05/2016 17:44

Albadross you wait in the cubicle till the coast is clear.

OP posts: