The Five Most Important Public Bathroom Etiquette Rules
When you walk into a public bathroom, chances are you are a bit turned off. Except in the best of bathrooms, someone has left behind some part of their trip. Perhaps they will have left some toilet paper on the floor or a certain...smell. Disgusting as that might be, it can be avoided if everyone used the same rules.
Here are my five suggestions to make public bathrooms more civilized:
Always shut the door and lock it
Okay fine. Most of the doors will not have a lock that functions. Still, it is worthwhile to secure it in some fashion so that others won't have that awkward “I didn't know you were in there” moment. Shut it and hold it shut while you do your business if you must. A simple occupied sign would solve this but bathroom owners have never caught on.
Clean up after yourself
There is a little phrase that comes to mind.
“If you sprinkle when you tinkle be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.”
I would credit someone, but I have no clue where that originated. It sums up rule number two pretty clearly though.
Keep your eyes (and everything else) to yourself
Men are known for being particularly hardcore with this rule as they often have to urinate standing right next to another dude. Keep those eyes straight ahead when taking care of business. This rule is equally important with women though the situation rarely comes up.
Knock first
A simple knock can avoid the same thing that number one talks about up above. Always knock before opening a public bathroom door. The list of things that you could walk in on would shock you and burn your eyes for eternity. Take the time to knock before entering.
Always wash your hands
This has been a rule in society since you were a little kid and it should not have to even be a rule. Still, it might shock you to know how many people go in the bathroom, do their business and come out without visiting the sink at all. Some might say it is none of my business, but it is. Why? That same person is going to touch the toilet, door knob, front door of the establishment and God knows what else before leaving. That means it affects me. Wash your hands!
These are only the ones that bother me the most.
What are your personal pet peeves about people in the bathroom? Sound off down below in the comments!
Sherryl Wilson
YES! They are all so true!