Using a public bathroom is an experience that most would not mind skipping. Although some public restrooms feature pristine amenities and respectful visitors, the average public bathroom is a far less inviting place. Practicing public bathroom etiquette can help make your next experience as stress-free as possible. Your positive behavior might even rub off on the other bathroom guests.
Interacting with Others
Keeping your eyes and hands to yourself is especially important while you're in a public bathroom. This is especially true when entering the urinal area in a male bathroom. Staring at a patron while he's using the urinal can quickly escalate into a verbal or physical altercation.
Holding a conversation while waiting in line for a stall or while washing your hands is acceptable public bathroom behavior. It might even be necessary to alleviate stress associated with long lines and supply shortages. Avoid talking about offensive or private subjects with a raised voice.
Avoid engaging in conversation with others who are actively occupying bathroom stalls. Exceptions include "emergency" inquiries or answers regarding availability of essential items such as toilet paper.
While holding spots in lines might be appropriate when purchasing concert tickets, this tactic could lead to problems while waiting for a public bathroom stall. This is especially true in cases of limited working or clean bathroom stalls. Appease anxious line members by allowing those with "urgent" needs to go ahead of you. Specifying that you're not waiting for a bathroom stall can keep lines moving and eliminate negative attitudes.
Alerting others to potentially embarrassing situations is admirable public bathroom behavior. Don't allow guests to walk out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to their shoes or their undergarments exposed. This good deed may be returned to you by another well-behaving public bathroom visitor.
Performing Your Business
Enter the bathroom stall with efficiency in mind. Knock on closed doors to ensure they're unoccupied before attempting entry. Avoid being theatrical about unsanitary conditions--unless it's unavoidable. Perform a brief check to ensure the stall has toilet paper to avoid needing to ask for assistance from other visitors. Lock the bathroom stall to avoid accidental openings.
Center yourself over the toilet seat to reduce chances of accidental "sprinkles." Wipe up any waste material you leave on the toilet seat before exiting the stall. Ensure the toilet is empty before unlocking your bathroom stall.
Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before exiting the restroom. Alert other bathroom visitors to empty soap and paper towel dispensers. Ensure that your paper towel makes it into the trash can instead of onto the bathroom floor.
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