I hadn’t read Dear Abby in years, and when I read this post at Blackfive, I remembered why. The Blackfive commenters advice was far superior to Abby’s, especially this excellent dose of common sense. For some reason, I clicked through (I sometimes catch myself rubbernecking while I drive past an accident on the interstate too) and found this question:
DEAR ABBY: Unbelievable as it may seem, this actually happened. I was in the ladies’ room in my office building when a woman came in talking on her cell phone. She went into the stall next to mine and continued carrying on a conversation throughout her visit — even while washing her hands!
I have mentioned this to several people. They say they have encountered the same situation in restrooms, too. Abby, how would you suggest we handle this in the future? — SOME THINGS ARE SACRED IN MARYLAND
Something like this happened to me last week… I entered the ladies’ room, heard a woman in the stall talking on her cell phone, and tried to give her a break by stopping to fix my hair and touch up my makeup so she could wrap up her conversation and get off the phone. I cleared my throat a couple of times to try to politely make it clear someone else was in the restroom. She carried on her gossip-fest. Finally I decided my efforts to be courteous were being wasted; she obviously was completely unembarrassed about using her cell phone while in a public restroom.
This, apparently, is the new thing – total openness about your bodily functions. I guess, given society’s deplorable openness about our sex lives, it was inevitable – the next logical step. While using the restroom (or sex, for that matter) is nothing to be ashamed of, some things are – and should be! – private. The principle of Proverbs 25:17 illustrates it – there is such a thing as too much sharing; a little space and respect goes a long way.
I was tempted – SO tempted – to respond in a really juvenile way. To make really loud gagging, vomiting noises and repeatedly flush the toilet. Or to blow against my hand to make long, loud fart noises like the boys did in grammar school to annoy S’ter Mary Therese when her back was turned. I managed to refrain. Still, this excellent primer on bathroom etiquette – though directed at men – is something we should all internalize and practice, for the sake of a peaceful society.
That clip is hilarious! I love the Sims and it just amazes me what they can do with them.
I also recently experienced a deprivatization of bodily functions. As I waited for a vacancy in the ladies’ room during dinner at an organic restaurant, one of the local growers that provides vegetables to the restaurant quietly came out of a stall – no flush followed her business. I hesitated to use the stall. I thought it must be out of order. She noticed my surprise and stopped to explain that she had not forgotten to flush the toliet, she was conserving water… At least she washed her hands.