Thread: Acceptable public restroom behavior

If I walk into a washroom with someone and we are conversing we will probably continue to do so. I will answer my cell if it is the sitter. Other than that no.

Originally Posted by GloriaInTX

I think people have way to many hang ups about the bathroom. They have done a million studies that there are just as many germs outside the bathroom as inside.

But I don't think this is about germs really; it's about what's gross and what's not or what's just weird or what's not. So I think it's weird and gross to talk to someone while doing any kind of bathroom business.

Continuing a cell phone conversation when you go into a stall -- No, just finish the call first. Yuck.
Answering a cell phone that rings while you're in there -- No, there is nothing that can't wait a few minutes. Just listen to the voicemail or call back.
Joining a conversation from inside a stall -- I'm OK with this one
Initiating a conversation from inside a stall -- No. Who are you, even? I don't recognize your shoes, LOL.
Taking food items or beverage cups into the stall with you -- Yuck! Our restroom at work has shelves all over but I've noticed that people come out of stalls with a cup of coffee or bag of food. Where did you put that? On the floor? Tucked under your arm? I wouldn't want to eat it wherever it's been.
Continuing an existing conversation when you & the other person both walk into the restroom -- I'm fine with this.
Stopping an existing conversation when you & the other person walk into the restroom -- this happened to me on Friday and it really struck me as odd. I was at a contractor's office and two of us were chatting as we walked to the restroom. And then she just stopped talking, didn't say a word, didn't even seem to finish her thought. It was so silent & awkward. And then we came out & she started chatting again. Very weird...
Upon being introduced to someone new, extending your hand to shake hands before you've washed your hands -- this happened yesterday. A new co-worker came out of a stall and someone else said, "Stacey, have you met Jane Doe yet?" I said no, and Jane Doe held out her hand, which I shook -- and then I washed my hands again. I think I probably would have said, "I'd shake your hand but I need to wash up first," or something like that but I didn't want to refuse to shake hands, either. Again, very weird, and it makes me think that restroom etiquette is definitely changing for the worse.

I'm fine with talking in the restroom or from inside the stall (if you know the person). But, "no" to everything else on the list.

Originally Posted by Jessica80

Upon being introduced to someone new, extending your hand to shake hands before you've washed your hands~Um...NO who am I being introduced to in a bathroom anyway?

I was thinking the same thing.. Who am I meeting in the bathroom? I would say no to most of the above, though if I am out with my friends or mom and we are mid convo we usually continue the convo in the bathroom.. food drink ew can't do that. I was at work and had a coffee in my hand and REALLY had to go but didn't want to put it down on the table, and knowing that the bathrooms were "clean" (it was first thing in the am at an elementary school that had no children in it that day) I still couldnt take it in there. so i found someone from our district I knew and asked her to hold it for me. (which made her get some intersesting questions since she's very preggo and was holding my large coffee....