# Cell phone...work bathroom...it can't wait? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 17, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387 "2007-05-17T00:09:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/41 "2007-05-17T17:54:14Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] What is it about the male pooping process that requires reading materials??? I’ve never heard of nor known a woman that does this. My bowel movements never take long enough to _read_ something. [/QUOTE] I often bring reading materials in (usually today’s paper). My bowel movements never take long enough either, but I’m not in a rush, so I take my time. I once left a book on Heidigger in there (because I forgot to take it with me after my bath) and one of my friends commented that she was thrilled to encounter it when she went in to pee. So it’s not just me. > [@One Cent Stamp](#): > > I don’t we can explain this, any more than you could explain why so many women’s trips to the bathroom involve three women, only one of whom really needs to pee. So we can talk about stuff we don’t want to talk about in front of you. Clearly. It also gives women who wear make-up or complicated outfits an opportunity to check/adjust/reapply as necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/42 "2007-05-17T17:57:21Z")
[QUOTE=BwanaBob] I must assume you are equally mad at people who, in the bathroom, talk to each other while they’re washing their hands (after the fact). If not, then please explain the difference. [/QUOTE] One is _while you’re on the toilet_, and the other isn’t. I have issues with guys who converse with each other while they’re in the stalls, too. It’s creepy. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/43 "2007-05-17T18:10:54Z")
[QUOTE=BwanaBob] You people have way too many issues with bathrooms. I must assume you are equally mad at people who, in the bathroom, talk to each other while they’re washing their hands (after the fact). If not, then please explain the difference. [/QUOTE] For me, the difference is the guys conversing at the sink are on their way out and once they leave, I’ll be left to the silence of the room. My day is busy, and my daily crap is usually the only quiet time I have. It might only be 5 or 10 minutes but it’s my time. Some jerkweed sitting in the next stall doing a deal on the phone while he’s doing one in the bowl just takes me out of my reverie and right back into the busy office. Everyone needs a couple minutes, a few times a day, to power down momentarily. If the neanderthal next door can’t shut his pie hole and ignore the phone for a few minutes, he deprives me of my private time. And then I get big and green and my pants rip and I speak in monosyllabic grunts for about an hour. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/44 "2007-05-17T18:24:47Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] … And then I get big and green and my pants rip and I speak in monosyllabic grunts for about an hour. [/QUOTE] Dude, light a match. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/45 "2007-05-17T18:27:23Z")
[QUOTE=HelloKitty] In my office they have banned cell phone talking while in the bathroom. [/QUOTE] I really, _really_ wish they would do that here. I can’t tell you how many times I walk into the ladies’ room, flush when I’m done, only to hear the same person who seems to be on the same schedule as me say, “Oh, sorry. Someone flushed.” And from her conversation, I’d gather she’s on a business call, too. It’s bad enough when it’s family, but when it’s a colleague? Ick. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/46 "2007-05-17T18:51:36Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] Lucky you! AFAICT, you’re not normal in that respect. [/QUOTE] Holy crap (there I go again! Hi, Dr. Freud!), I had no idea. Yay, another abnormality to add to the list. [QUOTE=cowgirl] I often bring reading materials in (usually today’s paper). My bowel movements never take long enough either, but I’m not in a rush, so I take my time. [/QUOTE] Interesting. I don’t have to take my time, per se, since my number twos never take much more time than number ones, but certainly not enough time to read. And I’m like others in that I abhor a few minutes with nothing to do and compulsively fill it up with reading any old thing that’s available (food labels, signs, Norton Antivirus manuals). So I guess it’s the sitting on the pot for long enough to read a paper that has my head atilt in wonder. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/47 "2007-05-17T19:10:44Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] . . . Some jerkweed sitting in the next stall \*\*doing a deal on the phone while he’s doing one in the bowl \*\* just takes me out of my reverie and right back into the busy office. . . [/QUOTE] McNew, you making it look as easy as rolling off a _log_ today! ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/48 "2007-05-17T19:12:40Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] Interesting. I don’t have to take my time, per se, since my number twos never take much more time than number ones, but certainly not enough time to read. And I’m like others in that I abhor a few minutes with nothing to do and compulsively fill it up with reading any old thing that’s available (food labels, signs, Norton Antivirus manuals). So I guess it’s the sitting on the pot for long enough to read a paper that has my head atilt in wonder. [/QUOTE] We’re more alike than you realize. See, the brief time that it actually takes to take care of business is long enough to merit compulsively filling it up with reading materials. Once I’ve read the labels on my deodorant and toothpaste already, that’s a good 30 to 60 seconds (I’ve never actually timed it and have no idea how long it takes, but it’s not long - depending on diet, of course - but that is immaterial; any non-zero time is sufficient to trigger the compulsion) with nothing to do! So I take in the paper, sit down, begin business and reading. Business finishes but I’m already engrossed in the article (being a compulsive reader, and all), so I finish reading much later than I finish the intended business. So the reason I take longer than you is specifically BECAUSE I have taken in reading materials. If I go in empty-handed, I come out a whole lot sooner. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/49 "2007-05-17T19:22:35Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] We can surely come up with something similar. How about banging the walls and shouting out: … _“Oh God, let me live and I’ll never eat another burrito again!”_ [/QUOTE] This made me giggle for five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/50 "2007-05-17T19:35:41Z")
[QUOTE=Who\_me?] Okay… fine. You don’t want to talk to me while I’m in the can, don’t call me… or hang up when I tell you I’m in the bathroom. If you’re in the men’s room with me while I’m on the phone, you’re out of luck… [/QUOTE] Holy crap! You are _that_ much a slave to your phone that you just can’t bear not to answer it? Shit, I don’t let my phone interrupt my dinner let alone answer during any time that is normally more private. You honestly can’t let a call go to voicemail? I hope I never ever become that mindlessly conditioned. “Oh, noes! The phone is ringing, I MUST answer! Can’t let it go!” ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/51 "2007-05-17T19:43:29Z")
Cell phones have created a class of people who are more conditioned than Pavlov’s dog. If the cell rings, they have to answer it and have a conversation. They are incapable of letting it ring and go to voice mail. They will ignore a living human being trying to talk to them in exchange for the cell phone voice. They cannot live without being on their cell phone 24/7. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/52 "2007-05-17T19:45:32Z")
[QUOTE=BwanaBob] You people have way too many issues with bathrooms. I must assume you are equally mad at people who, in the bathroom, talk to each other while they’re washing their hands (after the fact). If not, then please explain the difference. [/QUOTE] Well, I only have a problem if they continue the conversation after they’ve completed the hand washing. I have a bashful bladder and it’s clamping down now, bitches…get the fuck out of here with your talk about whatever. Personally, I consider the restrooms at work to be places to leave waste and wash your hands, not places to meeting and discuss strategy. I don’t even like brushing my teeth\* in there and prefer to do it at one of the “kitchen” sinks. \*sometimes you gotta brush–especially if you are on your way to a root-planing. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/53 "2007-05-17T20:10:59Z")
[QUOTE=Swallowed My Cellphone] Holy crap! You are _that_ much a slave to your phone that you just can’t bear not to answer it? Shit, I don’t let my phone interrupt my dinner let alone answer during any time that is normally more private. You honestly can’t let a call go to voicemail? I hope I never ever become that mindlessly conditioned. “Oh, noes! The phone is ringing, I MUST answer! Can’t let it go!” [/QUOTE] Well, if you’ve swallowed it, don’t _all_ your calls go to vm? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/54 "2007-05-17T22:01:48Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] Well, if you’ve swallowed it, don’t _all_ your calls go to vm? [/QUOTE] For a while. Then they go to bm. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/55 "2007-05-17T22:11:15Z")
Look, **OneCentStamp** , I’m trying to be crabby. Stop being so damn funny. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/56 "2007-05-17T22:21:14Z")
[QUOTE=BwanaBob] You people have way too many issues with bathrooms. I must assume you are equally mad at people who, in the bathroom, talk to each other while they’re washing their hands (after the fact). If not, then please explain the difference. [/QUOTE] In my opinion, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. I have no problem chatting with someone else in the bathroom, even if we’re in our separate stalls, but I wouldn’t reserve a stall in the bathroom for a meeting, particularly an important one. Hammering out a deal or discussing strategy with just one person (much less the roomful of people the woman next to me was talking to this morning - “Sheri, how’s X going? And Paul, did you e-mail me your workplan? Oh, and Jean, did you have any questions?”) while others’ bodily functions are clearly audible is just…wrong. If I were on the other end and heard someone’s bowel movements or flushing while I was going over a contract I was supposed to sign with them, I’d be completely repulsed and extremely tempted not to sign. Decorum is very important in the workplace, regardless of who you’re dealing with. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/57 "2007-05-17T22:59:48Z")
[QUOTE=McNew] Well, if you’ve swallowed it, don’t _all_ your calls go to vm? [/QUOTE] Did I not say “can’t let it go”…? It’s true. Just you try passing that sucker and you’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/58 "2007-05-17T23:18:41Z")
[QUOTE=Plynck] We can surely come up with something similar. How about banging the walls and shouting out: _“Oh my GOD, I think I’m giving birth in here!”_ or _“Oh God, let me live and I’ll never eat another burrito again!”_ [/QUOTE] I’ve been tempted to flush during a lull in the conversation and then shout (a la _The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy_) “Go! Be free! Be FREEEEEEEE!” ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/59 "2007-05-18T13:42:54Z")
[QUOTE=ladybug] I’ve been tempted to flush during a lull in the conversation and then shout (a la _The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy_) “Go! Be free! Be FREEEEEEEE!” [/QUOTE] And THIS made ME giggle for about five minutes. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387/60 "2007-05-18T16:06:01Z")
One of these days two guys should go into a busy restroom and have one call the other. The ensuing chaos and confusion from the breach of the Guy Code would probably cause a city-wide panic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phone-work-bathroom-it-cant-wait/404387.md?page=4)