Restrooms are private, even in public.

I was at Starbucks this morning and as I went to the bathroom, a woman was leaving.  She held the door open and waited for me to enter.  It was a full door hold.  I was polite and said, “Thank you,” but it felt super strange.

Why are you holding the door open to the point that I sort of need to duck past your arm?  It was weird and I felt like there was this awkward pause, maybe even a little bit of eye contact, where I sort of wondered if she was going to leave.  I don’t know you.

I’m sure the woman was just being nice, but checking that the seat isn’t wet as you’re leaving is good enough for me.  Just walk out of the bathroom, let the door go and then it’s my turn.

I’m not sure why this bothered me today.  Could be it’s Monday, but more likely it’s that I need my space.  I know that’s a typical American trait, but I can’t help it.

Bathrooms are places where we have our pants down and I’m simply asking to be there on my own, in private.  I don’t want to think about what the person before me was doing and bathroom door exchange is not a game I like to play.

Don’t get me wrong, once I’m in the restroom I can do what needs to be done.  I’m not one of those people that can’t…produce in a public restroom.  That must be awful.  I do, however, need to clear my mind and sometimes the lingering smell of the person before me, or the noises in the stall next to me are about all I can take.

Quick word about the noises.  People should really learn to use the flusher for that sort of thing.

I could probably go on for several posts about restrooms.  Wouldn’t that be a treat?

The point is…wait, what was the point?

Oh yeah, I like a direct restroom approach, without contact.  There it is.  I learned that about myself today.

One more thing, if there are multiple stalls, please don’t talk to me while we are going potty, that’s just weird too.

My thoughts from the laundry room.  Pee Before Bed.

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