Every time I’m in an unfamiliar toilet I plan an escape route

[DowntonScabby]

AIBU to think that every time I enter an unfamiliar toilet I automatically start planning an escape route in case I get trapped?

Sometimes I think I could slide under the door, other times I reckon I could hoist myself over the door and through the wedge at the top. In other toilets I’m completely trapped and my only escape is a vent in the ceiling and I start to panic.

Am I the only one who thinks like this?!

This isn’t how most people think, no. Is it worth maybe chatting to your doctor about this as it sounds like it’s quite disruptive to your life)

No, you’re not, OP. I’ve done that since I was old enough to go out drinking.

Maybe trapped was the wrong word- It’s more of a mission impossible kind of way of how I’d make an escape without leaving a trace behind.
Not a claustrophobic kind of thing.

I’m exactly the same. I also only lock the door if it has a visible mechanism!

I do too. Im extremely claustrophobic and eveb avoid thise toulers with an automatic lock as im afraid ill get trapped

Oh not just me then! My favourite scenario involves using the cistern as some sort of leverage then removing the vent from the ceiling to make my escape.

Maybe we should all move to America where they have those huge gaps in the doors, no fun escape route there

Lol OP I am also weird about toilets . I hate the ones that are on an automatic light that goes off after a certain amount of time . You often get them abroad but they are starting to appear in this country too. This moved on to me panicking in any toilet where there was no natural light in case there was a power cut. Managed to resolve this by always putting the light on my phone when I go but have had to stop with Covid as don't take any of my belongings into public toilets .

Are you at all claustrophobic or do you have any other similar fears ? I generally don't like the dark or getting trapped in a small space

I'm the same, horribly claustrophobic. Always try out the lock mechanism a few times before I use it then remind myself if it was that easy to get trapped someone else would already be there!

Oh god what about train toilets? Now they really do bring me out in a hive, never trust that ‘automatic’ lock.

Although I suppose train toilets are the opposite of claustrophobic aren’t they?! Everyone’s welcome!

it is definitely a quirk but pretty harmless if you ask me. I always plan escape routes from any mass gatherings, such as games, theatres etc. I always know the nearest exists on planes and airports. I can not relax at any unfamiliar room without knowing where the door is and how to unlock it. But then I am claustrophobic.

yanbu
I also plan escape routes everywhere.
I also count the rows to the emergency exit in a plane and look for the life jackets/life boats on a ferry.

I'm exactly the same and also very claustrophobic - getting stuck in a toilet or lift is my worst nightmare.

My bestie back in my clubbing days had a habit of falling asleep in night club toilets. I used to have to figure out ways to break in every time she went for a piss. Once, memorably, my boyfriend split his trousers climbing over the top of the cubicle when all other options had failed.

I always look for emergency exits from cubicles (though realistically I'd probably just phone for help rather than wedge myself over the door and probably get stuck!). Can't say I plan escape routes from the room as usually there's only the door.

If I'm on my own in a lift , I do a check of my "resources" as to how long I could survive if it got stuck .
What food/water do i have , what would I fashion into a toilet , could I make a cushion out if any packaging.

I'm not worried, i frequently use lifts, it just something ice always done.

On my way back from a Tesco shopping trip : survival time =high

Popping out for a pair of curtains :survival :low , but I could fashion a sling to sleep in.

Basically, you are not weird, I think.its a version of the "imp of the peverse"

In the unlikely event you were trapped in a cubicle you could just
a) kick the door in
or
b) do you not have a phone?

In these scenarios, do you know martial arts? Do you have a weapon in your handbag? Or is it a Bear Grylls back to basics lavatory escape?

@eurochick
That’s hilarious, I wonder if he’s got a phobia of toilet cubicles ever since

Oh yes, love a good old lift scenario too, hopefully someone would miss me after a while and send for help?!

Now that’s a Bear Grylls special worth watching, screw Barack Obama, let’s put Bear in a locked loo and watch what happens next

@DowntonScabby

Maybe we should all move to America where they have those huge gaps in the doors, no fun escape route there

I hope not. I was once sat on the loo over there and had the misfortune to lock eyes with a woman waiting, its an awful set up.

@DowntonScabby

Although I suppose train toilets are the opposite of claustrophobic aren’t they?! Everyone’s welcome!

😂 I love the tweet that’s like “train toilets always have the threat of the door slowly sliding open to reveal me like a game show prize”

Brilliant! Here’s your booby prize