# Bathroom door--open or closed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274 "2003-01-02T21:22:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/21 "2003-01-03T04:27:29Z")
Closed. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/22 "2003-01-03T04:38:55Z")
[ul]…[sup] **closed** [/sup]…[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Pammipoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/87869e/32.png) [@Pammipoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pammipoo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/23 "2003-01-03T06:01:25Z")
My mom grew up in a house with 8 people, and as a result, rarely had privacy. She’ll do anything with an open door. There was one night, my boyfriend was over, and he walked by the family bathroom to see my mom sitting on the pot, door wide open. She just doesn’t care. I, on the other hand, am extremely private. I shut the door always when using the toilet, and most of the time if I’m putting on makeup or brushing my teeth. I can’t even change in the room if my mom or sister are in there, I’ll go in the bathroom to get dressed. (I’m weird in that my close family can’t see me, but I’ll have no problem stripping down to my bra in a room of mixed company. Go figure.) ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/24 "2003-01-03T07:23:02Z")
Closed, even if I’m just brushing my teeth. Even if I’m home alone. Hell, I once rented a cabin in the mountains with no one around for miles, and I \* still \* locked the door. It bothers me if someone can even hear me in the bathroom. I think that’s why I hate public restrooms so. I never use one unless it’s a dire emergency, and even then, if there’s someone in the other stall, I can’t go unless they leave, or someone’s flushed a toilet to cover up the noise. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/25 "2003-01-03T07:55:17Z")
open for #1 closed _and locked_ for #2 ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/26 "2003-01-03T08:10:45Z")
It’s not what I’m doing, it’s the way I look when I’m doing it. You know - the splodgy pasty “curtain” of cellulite that hangs over each side of the toilet sea from my splodged down thighs, nearly skimming the bathroom floor. I don’t want anyone to see what I look like on the lavatory. Not even God. ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/27 "2003-01-03T12:27:23Z")
Closed if kids are awake and nearby or there is company. Open all other times especially if I’m just taking a leak. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/28 "2003-01-03T12:32:18Z")
Depends. If we have company I close the door, of course. If it’s just my husband or mom or daughter at home I don’t bother. If my 16 year old son or my dad is around, then I’ll close the door at least partway. I come from a pretty casual family, I guess. Oh, but I’m not as casual with my inlaws as I am with my own folks – if my inlaws are here I close the door all the way just as I would with “real” company. Jess ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/29 "2003-01-03T12:49:30Z")
Closed. Period. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/30 "2003-01-03T15:07:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragonblink \* > \*\*[hijack] 1971? Would that be the Sylmar earthquake? [/byejack] \*\* I think so, but it has been 31 plus years and I could be wrong. It’s the one where the hospital collapsed. If that’s any help. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/31 "2003-01-03T18:18:27Z")
I forgot to mention: If there’s an inquisitive cat or dog in the house, the doors closed. I don’t care how fascinating it is that daddy’s taking a poop. I don’t want you on my lap. ---
**Author:** ![BuckleberryFerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/32 "2003-01-03T18:21:45Z")
Closed for the toilet and the shower, open for just about everything else. ~Ferry ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/33 "2003-01-03T18:31:50Z")
Pretty much open door policy, but when I have a bf I never do personal maintenance (i.e. hair dying, hair styling, waxing, makeup) in front of the guy. I think it’s essential to keep certain things a mystery. ---
**Author:** ![sycorob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@sycorob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sycorob)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/34 "2003-01-03T19:20:21Z")
Open when I’m alone, closed otherwise for using the toilet. Closed for the shower (I looove steam in the winter). The One and I shower together, but don’t go in front of each other. Makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/35 "2003-01-03T19:26:45Z")
When I’m at home alone there’s no reason to close it, except when I’m in the shower and want the bathroom to stay warm. At my girlfriend’s place I always close it. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/36 "2003-01-03T21:15:57Z")
Now Wordy, how are you going to establish a correlation between sharing e-mail and closed doors if you don’t ask the fomer? Me, we share e-mail at home, but have separate accounts at work. I close the door at home for all occasions but don’t lock it unless guests are in the house. I’ve found that if I don’t latch it the beagle feels the need to come in and investigate. My husband has had an open door policy since day one of our marriage. I called my sister from my honeymoon, horrified. “Well, the romance is officially gone. He left the door wide open!” ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/37 "2003-01-03T21:33:33Z")
My situation is unusual: Because I use a wheelchair & we have a small bathroom, I have no choice but to leave the door open. This used to be a problem: For example, my father would poke his head in for a tissue or something, completely oblivious to the idea that I might want privacy. :rolleyes: Finally, I got fed up - the next time he stuck his head in, I said something to the effect of, “You know, just because I can’t close the door doesn’t mean I want you in here _with_ me”. He kinda looked surprised, apologized & said I was right. From that point on, me being in there was equivalent to a closed door. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/38 "2003-01-03T21:38:25Z")
Open, for both of us, for everything. I do try to be discreet with those monthly female tasks, though. We have 4 Australian Shepherd dogs. Having an Aussie means never going to the bathroom alone again. Velcro dogs. ---
**Author:** ![NajaNivea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/39 "2003-01-04T16:11:38Z")
Another agreement for keeping the door at least halfway closed for #2, open at all other times. We both do that. I distinctly remember the first time Mr. Armadillo and I shared a bedroom that had a bathroom connected, and hoping he wouldn’t think I was ikky for leaving the door open to pee–but not wanting to set a precedent by closing it. Also, regardless of the fact that the door is standing wide open, we almost never look in on each other or come into the bathroom while the other is using the toilet, although showers and other tasks are fair game. Seeing each other pee doesn’t bother me, but I’d rather not have him involved in anything thats going to smell bad. I tend not to pluck hairs when he’s looking, but other than that, there’s not much he doesn’t know about. I think if I had a period I would close the door for tampon-involving tasks, but since I’m on depo it hasn’t been a concern yet. Peace, ~mixie ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2003, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274/40 "2003-01-04T20:14:18Z")
Closed for toilet related activities, but showering etc. I leave it open. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bathroom-door-open-or-closed/146274.md?page=3)