Propriety starts with P

In the “good manners” books, they spend chapters upon chapters on such details as which hand to hold the fork with and which finger to pick the nose with. But they don’t spare a word for public restroom etiquette. Which forces me to pass on a few etiquette requests to my colleagues and other people I had the misfortune of sharing a restroom with.

1. When you are in the restroom, I implore you to keep oral communication at a minimum. In other words, shut the f up. We are not having a communal, joyous experience here. Just finish your job and get out.

no_talking.png


2. Do you know what’s worse than #1? Turning your head and looking at the guy you are talking to. It’s creepy. Don’t do it. Just pretend there is something very interesting going on in your bowl and focus on it.

no_looking.png




3. Do you know what’s worse than #2? Talking from inside the stall. I don’t really need to associate you with all the reverberating sound-effects.


4. As you know, urinals come in two sizes. Tall and short. For some reason short guys insist on choosing the tall one, even if they have to stand up on their toes to reach it. So, please, let the tall guy behind you have the tall one.

tall_short.png




5. When somebody is waiting for your to finish, please take as much time as you need to finish your job and dress yourself properly, including zipping up completely before you turn around from the urinal. I am speaking for the entire male and most of female community when I say, nobody wants to see your underpants.

no_zipper.png




6. It really doesn’t concern me but I have to say this. Please don’t set your drinks on the urinal! Can’t you leave them at your desk or on the sink? And it is just plain gross to sip your drink while urinating.

no_drinks.png



7. If the restroom has more than one urinal, it is customary to leave at least one urinal between you and any other fellow users. But don’t go out of your way to leave more than one gap. You will look too secretive and raise suspicion.

selection.png




8. Some restrooms are cursed with attached showers. I understand that you have to wait for the shower when somebody is using it. But that does not give you the right to bare yourself in full-frontal, thereby permanently scarring the retinas of unsuspecting restroom users. Please, for the love of all straight Greek gods, wear a towel or something.

no_skin.png




9. It must be one of those unsolved medical mysteries, why some people’s Salivary glands lunge into production precisely when they are at the urinal. Whatever the reason may be, spitting while urinating is disgusting. Further more, you are challenging yourself to hit a single target from two different sources, thereby defocussing yourself and increasing the chances of inaccuracy in your delivery. Remember that the subsequent users of the urinal must suffer the results of your failure to hit the target.

10. Do you really have to check news on your phone when peeing, performing a fine balancing act with both hands, where any slight slippage of either hand could be very expensive? Let me break it to you. Unless you have superpowers to make news happen faster by peeing, nothing is going to change in those 2 minutes.

11. Any bodily contact with another person, such has hand-shakes or shoulder-touches, while in restroom, must be avoided at all costs. Should such contact be unavoidable, it must be restricted to the “green zones.” The following picture depicts a normal path traversed by ordinary urinators. Green and hazard zones are marked.

green_zone.png


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75 Responses to “Propriety starts with P”  

  1. 1 Srini

    You spoke for the suffering silent millions there!!
    I believe most of these “ugh” things are prevalent world-wide.

  2. 2 Vijay

    No: 5… its scary as well …

    Good points.. looks like you’ve been thru a lot in the restroom .. no pun intended

  3. 3 ~nm

    Simply hilarious and so real too!

    I think you can add one thing here. I have seen this with hubby and my son, they both kind of scratch their bums when at it :P

    (I hope hubby never reads that I’ve written this here :P )

  4. 4 How Do we know

    Wo!!

  5. 5 radhika

    lol, P posts are fun. :)

  6. 6 Bombay Addict

    Excellent. Have you come across someone who takes the middle urinal in a place with 3 urinals, even though the other two are empty? That is a checkmate move.

  7. 7 kodi's mom

    you are something else! only you can come up with a hilarious, complete with pictorials - how could any man do wrong after reading this?!!

  8. 8 arun

    #8 should be extended to gyms and swimming pool pre/post shower rooms… every time I go in there I suffer from disorientation, shortness of breath, and further more utterly unnecessary images in my head flashing at the most unexpected times causing distress and further halucination/disorientation.

    bottom line: male pornographic moments should be restricted to one’s own home and/or absolutely private locations/rooms only.

    awesome post! :)

  9. 9 La Vida Loca

    heehhe lol

  10. 10 Hawkeye

    Fantastic Post :-)

  11. 11 Na.Su.Krishnan

    This is fantastic. I would appreciate if this becomes a part of any etiquette course :) . Liked the way it is written. Simply hilarious.

  12. 12 hideindisguise

    LMAO! As always freaking hilarious..!

  13. 13 Nitin
  14. 14 SK

    So.. this post must have had a big warning, Strictly for Guys :–D

  15. 15 prats

    You must be really terribly free, attaching pictures for this simply too much post…have heard of a lot do’s and don’t for restrooms…but this one leaves me with a huge grin…
    great one

  16. 16 Pointblank

    Lol! Post with graphic explanations and all! I’m glad women have fewer such issues ;)

    And I dint know tat urinals came in different sizes too.On second thots, how will I? I dont really peek!

  17. 17 Kuriako

    Nice Graphics…

    Thanks

  18. 18 Jeff Murdock

    based on point # 2…
    there were 2 adjacent booths in my hostel,
    On one it was written “Baju mein mat dekhna”
    On the adjacent one, it was written, “aakhir dekh hi liya na m@$&^0d”
    Almost everyone visiting the restroom came out laughing.

  19. 19 Chakli

    The toilet sketches are hilarious!! I would also add ‘not farting loudly while you are inside a stall’ to you list.

  20. 20 Stone

    ..and there are ones who open/close door with wet hands and makes me wonder was that really water or… B-(

  21. 21 thinking aloud

    UGH!!! :D

    different heights? really!!!

  22. 22 Ok

    ROTFL! Worth every millisecond the long wait! You have surpassed yourself!

    I remember seeing a restroom ettiquette software. There are some 5 urinals and you there are people using some. You need to pick the correct one to use. Much like your (7).

    And the illustrations are excellent!

  23. 23 La Vida Loca

    somebody is practicing their new skills no?
    well done!

  24. 24 King Vishy

    LoL.. toooo good! Was laughing like hell..

    Coincidentally my latest post also is on restrooms :)
    http://deeyendee.blogspot.com/2008/03/open-source.html

    @Bombay Addict:
    “Check mate” move.. LoL..

  25. 25 ntp9704

    Here’s my 2 cents.

    In #11, you mentioned about the hazard zone. Taps on the wash basin are highly hazardous unless they are activated/deactivated by sensors. If not then even after washing you hands with all the liquid soap, you still have to touch the tap to shut it off, thereby taking the hazard with you.

    Suggestion : Use only one hand while peeing, open/shut the tap with the other hand while washing.

  26. 26 Sanjay

    As always..hillarious post! You should do it more often..;)

    Sanjay.

  27. 27 desigirl

    TD,
    I can feel your angst coming out in waves from your page! You poor, long suffering soul! I vote we print this off and post on every urinal door! what say?

  28. 28 Mala

    I’ve always wondered what goes on behind those closed doors - now I know it all! ;)

  29. 29 randomwalker

    Bombay Addict: I believe the term is stalemate :-)

  30. 30 gooddaysunshine

    Hilarious! Thank god us women have closed loos huh!!

  31. 31 Twisted DNA

    Srini:
    You spoke for the suffering silent millions there!!
    Yes, the self appointed leader of restroom sufferers :)

    Vijay:
    looks like you’ve been thru a lot in the restroom .. no pun intended
    Lol. Yes, I put up with a lot of crap :P

    ~nm:
    they both kind of scratch their bums when at it
    lol. I haven’t seen people doing it public restrooms, not that I am carefully taking count of who is scratching their bums ;)

    I hope hubby never reads that I’ve written this here
    I am going to find hm and pass this on :)

    How Do we know:
    Wo!!
    I will assume you were about to say “wow” and pat myself on the back on your behalf

    radhika:
    lol, P posts are fun. :)
    Thanks for getting the title :)

    Bombay Addict:
    That is a checkmate move.
    ROFL!

    kodi’s mom:
    how could any man do wrong after reading this
    Because they are men? :P

  32. 32 Twisted DNA

    arun:
    male pornographic moments should be restricted to one’s own home and/or absolutely private locations/rooms only.
    No, no. Bad image. Bad image. I don’t even want to know where they restrict their pron moments to :)

    awesome post!
    Thank you :)

    La Vida Loca:
    somebody is practicing their new skills no?
    You got it :)

    well done!
    Oh, long way to go. But thanks for the kind words :)

    Hawkeye:
    Fantastic Post
    honored :)

    Na.Su.Krishnan:

    I would appreciate if this becomes a part of any etiquette course
    The only problem is, men don’t read any etiquette books :)

    Liked the way it is written. Simply hilarious.
    Thanks you!

    hideindisguise:
    LMAO! As always freaking hilarious..!
    Thank you the disguised one. I didn’t know who you were for a minute. lol.

  33. 33 Twisted DNA

    Nitin:
    http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/urinal
    That is a hilarious one. I remember seeing it a long time ago.

    SK:
    So.. this post must have had a big warning, Strictly for Guys
    I thought girls are always curious to know what goes on behind those closed doors :P

    prats:
    You must be really terribly free
    Haha. Au contraire, no time to breathe. This is my excuse to take time off from the things I really need to do :)

    great one
    Thank you :)

    Pointblank:
    I’m glad women have fewer such issues
    Really? I expected them to have more issues.. you know for obvious reasons (I will leave it up to you what those obvious reasons are)

    And I dint know tat urinals came in different sizes too.On second thots, how will I? I dont really peek!
    I know exactly how women’s bathrooms look. I didn’t peek. I accidentally walked in, fortunately it was empty :)

    Kuriako:
    Nice Graphics…
    Thank you :) Given my drawing skills (or thilack thereof), it took a lot of effort :)

    Jeff Murdock:
    there were 2 adjacent booths in my hostel,
    Haha, nice piece of bathroom humor. They are always so funny and give us something to do :)

  34. 34 Twisted DNA

    Chakli:
    The toilet sketches are hilarious!!
    Thank you :)

    I would also add ‘not farting loudly while you are inside a stall’ to you list.
    Hmm… we can’t. It’s their gas. We will be hindering their freedom of expression.

    Stone:
    ..and there are ones who open/close door with wet hands and makes me wonder was that really water or… B-(
    haha. You are right! Don’t spoil my mental peace by raise doubts as to the chemical composition of the moisture on the door handle.

    thinking aloud:
    different heights? really!!!
    Yes, men do come in different heights. Oh you mean, urinals? They too :P

    Ok:
    ROTFL! Worth every millisecond the long wait! You have surpassed yourself!
    Thanks man :)

    I remember seeing a restroom ettiquette software.
    See Nitin’s link above

    And the illustrations are excellent!
    I am learning to draw these days. I will be subjecting you to these things more :)

    King Vishy:
    LoL.. toooo good! Was laughing like hell..
    Glad you liked it.

    ntp9704:
    ROFL. You wrote a thesis on this issue! Good one.

    Sanjay:
    As always..hillarious post! You should do it more often.
    Haha. Yes, yes. Got your subtle hint that I need to get off my lazy ass

    desigirl:
    I vote we print this off and post on every urinal door!
    Lol. The only problem is, men don’t read anything off the bathroom wall unless it has some dirty pictures on it :)

    Mala:
    I’ve always wondered what goes on behind those closed doors - now I know it all!
    He he. Actually the best part in men’s bathrooms is the bathroom graffiti :)

    randomwalker:
    Bombay Addict: I believe the term is stalemate :-)
    Lol. Either way, any next person who comes in screwed :)

    gooddaysunshine:
    Hilarious! Thank god us women have closed loos huh!!
    Ya! We demand equal rights and closed bathrooms!

  35. 35 Lavs

    This is simply brilliant!!! You must market this by publishing pamphlets and educating the ‘illiterate’ souls!!!

    This post reminds me of another blogger’s posts on symbolical gyan. Here, have a look.
    [http://krishashok.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/symbolically-speaking/]

  36. 36 Trevor Penn

    Just going by the pictures, i thought you had something to say about the water fountains.
    Disturbing thought, that.

  37. 37 Coconut Chutney

    lol, first time here, you give really good advice ;)

  38. 38 AMY

    Sense and Sensibility. Kool hai.

    :P :)

  39. 39 Alan

    Hey Twisted, funny stuff as always. Excellent diagrams.

    I’ll have to disagree with Chakli. Farting in the men’s room should be encouraged. Better there than in the outside world. Also, the number of “Non Hand Washers” out there is totally disgusting.

    And finally, I’m a tall guy, but prefer the short urinal. Porcelain is cold ya know.

  40. 40 wha?

    dude,
    Dave Barry called. He wants all his jokes back.

  41. 41 alaB

    dude… dude… dude…
    i’m kinda new to this… this post was awesome… this related so well to my test blog.. u should check it out sometime….

  42. 42 vijayendra

    I SO relate to that. We need more people like you to write on things like this. :)

  43. 43 A Cynic in Wonderland

    AND WASH THE DARN HANDS!!!!

  44. 44 lera

    hey T-DNA, been a long time,since I had good laugh.. hopefully, I will have the energy to explore your next post for more humour;) Have a good day!

  45. 45 Veens

    hehehehe!

    Kya baat! waow!

    How are you TD? Good!

    Was thinking where hav eu been and see I got to see this post ;)

    thanks for the laughs;

    :D

  46. 46 Srikanth

    This is absolutely wonderful.
    I am simply amazed the way you have presented a very delicate yet very important thing…
    I wonder if any one could have done it better.
    I absolutely agree with everything, and have been a silent spectator to few of the instances…

  47. 47 Shrey

    And if this is a guide for ne of my fellow hostellers, you have certainly missed the first point which goes:

    0. Wash your hands after the divine act.

    Gross but true!!

  48. 48 Yonindra

    Regarding 5. It is even worse to look at those parts of other guys anatomy.

  49. 49 Banno

    Hilarious! Can’t decide which is funnier, the pictures or your list! Should be put up in every restroom.

  50. 50 Aaarti

    That was one awesome post… and amazing pictures…

    Looks like u’ve been thru a lot to have been so meticulous in ur post… :)

  51. 51 Shobana

    Hey! There is another biohazard area that u may have missed….urinal to person (without washing hands). But this one is hilarious.

  52. 52 ekta

    hahah!
    god..these need to be printed and published in every urinal!

  53. 53 Taurus

    lmao on “…for the love of all straight Greek gods” [i doubt if there are any ;) ]

    # 6 is quite an usual sighting at the girls restrooms in clubs/pubs. More than one drunk women using the same stall should be BANNED! *YUCKS

  54. 54 CruciFire

    Hahaha nice one man… simple language.. great illustrations…

  55. 55 Apple Bee

    Quite insightful and enlightening, however pretty unhelpful for women. I could so picture a post very similar to this (of course with totally different tips on etiquette [I spelled that right at the first shot…yay!]) in my head for women. Is that cheating?

    I can tell you this though…ladies bathroom is a whole different ball game. Although, I agree with the whole talking part in the restroom. I just don’t get it…socializing in restrooms makes me so uncomfortable!

  56. 56 IdeaSmith

    LOL….the things that happen in men’s restrooms; we’re blissfully unaware of!

  57. 57 smita

    Love the diagrams. Very umm, visual :-D

  58. 58 Natasha G

    I’m so glad I’m a woman!!!! :) good job

  59. 59 Espèra

    NOW I figure why that photograph (if I may call it that) is so familiar! It’s that guy from MAD isn’t it?

    Ooh yes, the diagrams, the descriptive diagrams are great. They ought to printed and posted in all public toilets. Not that it affects me. Hell. Being a girl, the biggest worry however, apart from toilet propriety is catching a disease when you use the toilet. And Where To Keep The Bag.

    School restrooms have been known to double up as photo studios too.
    I think this calls for a post on toilets. And don’t worry, I’ll advertise your blog. For free. That’s the 11th rule that you should have written. “Write a damn good blog post. Other people will feel inclined to post something about it and would invariably end up mentioning your blog. A link too, maybe.”

  60. 60 Prasad

    I believe Dave Barry wrote an article about this :) Very funny stuff, but your illustrations make it funnier…

  61. 61 dipali

    What impeccable research! What wonderful clarity of illustration. Positively thesis material:)

  62. 62 Subbu

    LoL… One funny and informative post… :)

  63. 63 Gentle Whispers

    Haha. This is hilarious. Can I blogroll you if you don’t mind.

  64. 64 Gentle Whispers

    Haha. This is hilarious. Can I blogroll you if you don’t mind.

  65. 65 Gentle Whispers

    Haha. This is hilarious. Can I blogroll you if you don’t mind.

  66. 66 Karthik

    Outright hilarious!!! LOL

  67. 67 Wolf Counsellor

    wow! looks like you have done quite some research in the toilet department

  68. 68 Spectator

    nice tips ;) funny, i wrote a similar post few days back…!!

    http://spectatorspeaks.blogspot.com/2008/03/hitchhikers-guide-to-urinal_09.html

  69. 69 Swapnil

    Amazing man! What a brilliant, funny and important post. People the world over need to read this and follow the tenets :)

  70. 70 LoonyTalk

    Wow! It seems that you have had to endure quite a lot in restrooms… :D
    Btw, useful post. However, I’m afraid to fwd the URL lest I should end up infuriating some of my friends [by suggesting a lack of etiquette on their part… :P ] Sorry abt that! :)

  71. 71 shwetank

    Looks like you have taken this idea ( or lets say grandly borrowed ) from Dave Barry’s guide to the guys …

  72. 72 pri

    hahaha!!
    im sure u must have embarassed many guys with this post…
    next time they use the restroom they’l make sure that YOU ARE NOT AROUND! :p
    cos i guess such ppl NEVER learn

  73. 73 Gayatri

    That’s a master piece :)

  74. 74 Abha

    :D

    MUCH needed guide!! our office is really small with just one unisex loo! i got so sick of wet seats and dirty floors that i wrote a really scathing notice to put up!

    even that didnt help!! maybe this will!!

    cheers!

  75. 75 Angelism

    I dont think i could have got a better understanding of so many aspects of the M restroom. Hilarious to the core and very well presented :)

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