Restroom Etiquette · Society of Ordinary Gents

Restroom Etiquette

As inspired by @Adrian Ramsey 's recent post (back in the GentZ Lobby) about the disappointing "messages" we find in public restroom stalls, it reminded me of a similar topic that's been a pet-peeve of mine in general.

Aside from graffiti, over the years I've noticed several "issues" in men's restrooms. Especially as someone who, from 15-25, held various jobs which required at least occasional tasks with cleaning them:

Peeing on the seat
Not putting the seat back down
Peeing on the floor
Leaving toilet paper everywhere
Not throwing "hygiene items" away (in the garbage)
Not washing hands
Not flushing
"Artistry" in several disgusting forms
Grunting and other noises
"Musicians"
Using your phone (calls, YouTube, music, etc. - as inspired by
@Roger Rheault
's comment)

I mean, are we men, or savages, here?

It's been at least a few thousand years since we left cave and hut dwellings, and at least 100-200 years of access to plumbing in some form for both waste and washing.

Why is it so hard for some men to clean up after themselves, have better aim, and refrain from "artistic expression" in any form? Sure, I know there are exceptions - some people are disabled, and young men/boys use the restroom... in which latter case, shouldn't we be teaching our children better habits?

Just because it's someone's "job" to clean it, doesn't mean you have to make it harder or like some "superiority dominance" territory-marking perceived status statement.

We're homosapiens, not canines.

Also, the men who make noises, talk to themselves, or even sing in a public restroom... why? Just, why?

I mean, I suppose I can understand when you need to let certain noises like sighs of relief out, but we don't need an opera to follow it. It's quite enough hearing the occasional "cookie dough squeezed out of the plastic package with air pockets" solo or quartet, let alone the occasional "battle-shits" when stuck between two stalls.

Somewhere driving through Arkansas, one guy, I shit you not, actually had a harmonica.

RESTROOM REVIVAL

Aside from that, I've noticed a trend between ladies' rooms and men's rooms - the former are often much nicer (though not flawless, either - some have rivaled men's rooms when I've had to clean them, but generally nicer).

I remember back in my clubbing days as an early 20-something, a few clubs I went to I noticed practically a foyer to the ladies' room with attendants, lockers to place their items, and even accessory and coat racks. A couple even had mini-bars and a bartender singing show tunes.

The men's room? Was literally a hole in the wall; like something out of Fight Club, with literally broken toilets and urinals (like actual porcelain pieces missing/shattered). I personally despise urinals, btw.

Honestly, I think in nicer establishments, men's rooms should bring back attendants, maybe a shoe-shining station, massage chairs, and have goods available like combs/brushes, breath mints, and maybe a small selection of colognes or even skin care couldn't hurt.

And this should go without saying, but a nicely scented air freshener in some form should be LAW.

One of the nicest restrooms I've ever experienced had many of the above-listed services/products, but also had stalls more akin to a private room, with a ceiling-to-floor wooden door that had a small stained glass window.

My question is, if we can get our bowel acts together, why not level it up further and bring back nicer restrooms/services/products for men? Maybe not everywhere (some places are simply never meant to have a nice restroom), but a little more commonly would be nice. Hell, you could even have a niche attraction with rustic charm outhouses with all the works, but disguised like old-world style.

After all, natural colors (green, brown, tan, etc.) tend to be better cognitive stimulants for such areas (read about it in a baby room book).

Also - bidets.

Ever since I started using one during quarantine/the great TP shortage, I can't live without them now. They save on TP needed, and get me far cleaner. Supposedly they're common in the EU, and I think we should adopt them here.

What are your thoughts, gents?

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