# Do you bring reading material into the bathroom when using the toilet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197 "2010-04-24T13:16:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/61 "2010-04-25T10:54:02Z")
There’s not much that will separate me from a good read, and if nature calls upon me for a sitting-down jobbie, whatever I am reading will go in with me. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/62 "2010-04-25T10:55:11Z")
I keep a book in my bathroom, but I rarely am ever in there long enough to read it. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/63 "2010-04-25T12:02:47Z")
If I happen to be reading at the time, I may take the material in with me; however, most of the time it takes less than thirty seconds. How on earth can one take a 20 minute dump? Doesn’t this make you late a lot? ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/64 "2010-04-25T17:56:29Z")
\ Fixed typo in title at OP’s request. \ ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/65 "2010-04-25T21:45:49Z")
Absolutely. I always bring whatever my bedtime book is and read it on the can. I am not sure I could poop without something to read. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/66 "2010-04-25T22:32:00Z")
> [@Waenara](#): > > It usually takes you at least 20 minutes?! I’ve had medical issues the last couple years that makes pooping fast, if not supersonic. But prior to that when everything was functioning normally it usually took 10-30 seconds, or maybe a minute or two at the longest. Obviously, this might change in very unusual circumstances like when I had surgery and didn’t have a poop for four days (morphine and tylenol will do that) - felt like I was giving birth and it took 45 minutes. > > For people who regularly take 20 minutes, does it actually take that long? Or is the reading in the bathroom just a good time to take a break and relax and read for 15 minutes after you finish the dump? I can’t imagine the poop actually taking 20 minutes unless you’re constipated. I’ve wondered that, too. I posted about a minute for my poops, but now that I think about it, it’s really more like a few seconds. Ten, fifteen, like you. Are people who take long poops actually pushing it out and making a lot of effort? I never do. I mean, I’ll continue to read if it’s a good part in the book. But it’s never a question of, “I have to sit here and puuuuuush the poop out.” It just comes naturally. God, I hope it doesn’t stop coming that way as I age. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/67 "2010-04-25T22:59:21Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > If I happen to be reading at the time, I may take the material in with me; however, most of the time it takes less than thirty seconds. How on earth can one take a 20 minute dump? Doesn’t this make you late a lot? I have inflammatory bowel disease, and there are days when I can’t leave the house. Sometimes, when I’m having a particularly bad episode, the only things I can eat without setting off a battle in my guts are oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, and Slimfast. ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/68 "2010-04-25T23:07:51Z")
It generally takes me slightly less than five minutes, but I imagine I could get it done a bit quicker (provided I’m not constipated, which does happen every so often to me). The two main reasons it does not take seconds are: 1. Bizarrely enough, I enjoy it. Someone once told me it’s because the male ‘g-spot’ is there. Though I’m not sure I believe in such things, it does seem like there’s a heck of a lot of _sensitive_ nerve endings in there. This means I do make, probably subconscious, efforts to prolong it. But that’s such a weird thing to actually write and tell the world and I should probably delete it. 2. It’s where I do my catalogue clothes shopping. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/69 "2010-04-26T05:58:29Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > Why would it be gross to bring a book (or a phone) into the can? I see no problem with bringing books or magazines into the bathroom. I have a collection of Playboys that most men would kill for if they didn’t have a similar collection. I can see where the idea of taking a phone into the bathroom would be gross, though. Some people talk on the phone while they’re in the shitter and are absolutely oblivious to whatever noises may be going out over the connection. I would never submit anyone to the noises I make when I’m on the throne. I do take my iPhone in the bathroom, I admit. Not to talk, but I will surf the web, check out the Dope and other places while I’m there. So you never know, I may be posting from there from time to time. I’ll try to be discreet while I’m about it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/70 "2010-04-26T06:19:14Z")
I have a collection of puzzle books in the master bath, and I bring whatever I am reading into any others. I’ve done this since about 3rd grade. When I went to Africa in the 5th grade, I spent the first two weeks there getting, ahem, adjusted, and read most of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich while doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/71 "2010-04-26T13:49:31Z")
Not on a regular basis, but is has happened. On the other hand, a properly equipped toilet should have a well stacked bookcase with a selection of different reading material to suit all moods and personal tastes. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/72 "2010-04-26T13:50:25Z")
I’m the only one in my residence that reads the weekly _ **TIME Magazine** _. So I read it while visiting the throne. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/73 "2010-04-26T14:20:31Z")
If I go into a quiet room, sit down with a book, and lock the door, I will not come out until the book is finished or the family breaks the door down. So, no, I never take anything with me. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/74 "2010-04-26T14:39:16Z")
OK, to stir some shit (pun intended): Is it wrong to: (a) borrow a book from someone, (b) read that book in the bathroom whilst pooping, without © first ascertaining the book owner’s feelings on the subject? I’m a reader on the can, and until the thread it would have never occurred to me to refrain from doing that with a borrowed book. ---
**Author:** ![bink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bink)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/75 "2010-04-26T15:00:46Z")
I don’t have a hygiene issue with it, I just think it’s kind of vulgar to ostentatiously put the sports section or whatever under your arm and march off to the bathroom. Like the people who feel the need to announce “I’M GONNA GO DROP THE KIDS OFF AT THE POOL NOW”. I never understood the need to make a big production out of it. I think it’s a male/female thing maybe; women are sitting down already so it’s no big deal to add in the extra task. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/76 "2010-04-26T15:10:17Z")
Yes, it’s the only chance I get to read. even then I’m generally interrupted by the third page. This is why I always wipe down used books with rubbing alcohol before reading them. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/77 "2010-04-26T15:20:24Z")
Yes, I do. My post is my cite. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/78 "2010-04-26T15:52:07Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > Just like the custom of insulting people by attempting to insult their nation/place of residence is limited to the USA. Next time take a grammar book in with you. I can’t tell if you’re defending us Yanks or not! Edit: I take books in with me. When I was living with a roommate I’d take his books in with me and he’d sometimes take mine. Then again, we often used the same towel after showering. To be a teenager. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/79 "2010-04-26T15:59:51Z")
I always bring something to read, or sometimes bring in a sudoko or a crossword puzzle to work on. I get too bored just sitting there. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197/80 "2010-04-26T16:02:14Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > OK, to stir some shit (pun intended): > > Is it wrong to: > > (a) borrow a book from someone, > (b) read that book in the bathroom whilst pooping, > without > (c) first ascertaining the book owner’s feelings on the subject? > > I’m a reader on the can, and until the thread it would have never occurred to me to refrain from doing that with a borrowed book. Not wrong at all. It does no harm to the book and what they don’t know won’t hurt them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-bring-reading-material-into-the-bathroom-when-using-the-toilet/537197.md?page=5)