Toilet cubicle etiquette

[MaryBethMayfair]

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.

You clearly don’t have IBS or other similar issues. No way can I hold on if I need to go.

2 cleaners have told me different. They said the first is always the least used and usually the cleanest

Fair enough, that's your choice. However, it's a choice that many people with various disabilities and conditions simply do not have, even if they wanted to.

If you're telling somebody with IBD that it really isn't on for them to have a poo in a designated toilet cubicle that isn't in their own home, you're effectively shaming them/telling them that they must stay at home at all times.

I still think that anybody who objects to smelling poo odours in a public toilet should probably be the one to restrict their movements (so to speak!) in public and leave those who just want to use a public/work toilet for standard toilet functions without being squeamish to do so and get on with their lives.

If A is the cleanest then why weren’t you in it 😂

The nearest clean loo with toilet paper for me!

I remember being in Asda female toilets with DD aged about 3. She was doing her business and whoever was in the next cubicle wee'd really loud. She said "Mummy, there's a mans in there". I said that there wasn't and just finish your wee please. When next door cubicles wee stream stopped, DD "Well done mans! That was a big wee!"
She clapped.
Mortified. I made sure we stayed in the cubicle for a few minutes so I could hear the person unlock, wash hands and leave.

OP I agree with you wholeheartedly! Seeing the comments though I fear that we may be the odd ones 🤣

I'm loving the idea that it's somehow a social faux pa to use a toilet for its actual purpose.

I go furthest from door, I like to appreciate the peace and quiet/child free and will easily spend a few minutes in there 🤷🏻‍♀️

I know what you mean - it's a bit like sitting on an empty bus and someone sitting in the seat right next to you!

I'm quite with you OP. A is always the choice if C is occupied. Equally if I go in and it's empty then I will choose A or C as any incomer will be a forced neighbour!

Only time it didn't matter was in my old workplace where the cubicles were totally floor to ceiling enclosed. So it made no difference

I was brought up by a mother who would flush the toilet so that others could not hear you pee so imagine 😂 You can put a layer of toilet paper in so that if you poo it doesn't make a huge noise 😂 you can carry a spray of some kind to alleviate the smell if there is one. I don't like full cubicles when you can see another person's feet and their various positions😂 I hate children screaming in toilets, loud hand dryers and loud music. I need a Zen experience. 🧘

People do tend to have a favourite cubicle ... so B was obviously hers and C is yours ... just accept and move on. She will still be able to hear you in cubicle A, so what does it matter?!

Omg is this really what weve been reduced to.

I always go to the furthers cubicle away from the door. I’ll do this when it’s empty , I don’t know why I do it I just always naturally do . I don’t think about whether I’m going into a cubicle next to someone . For eg , as per your diagram if there was a D and you were in C but A and B were free I think I would just automatically go to D. I don’t know why , I just naturally do this .

Except that, on a bus, you're then right up close next to somebody else and touching them... whereas the nature of a cubicle is that you are entirely separate from another person in a neighbouring one.

Yes, you might hear toilet noises and smell toilet whiffs - but it's a toilet; if that shocks you, you'd presumably also be shocked to go in a greengrocer's and see bananas and potatoes there on the shelves.

There's no need to engage with or acknowledge the other person at all - they're doing what they need to do and you're doing what you need to do. It's not meant to be Disneyland; it's just a toilet.

It's quite reassuring to see that others are as nutty as me about toilets 😂

It's the same concept though- why go close to someone when there are spaces further away available?

If there’s one with a gap and it’s clean I go in there, but I tend to opt for the nicest looking toilet - as in the cleanest. Don’t care if it’s next to someone else