# Do you shut the bathroom door even when you're alone? (in the house or whatever) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 12, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161 "2004-01-12T12:50:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/1 "2004-01-12T12:50:31Z")
Ok I shamelessly stole this idea from another thread in which I’m too lazy to link right now. So anyway, do you? just curious… I do and I have no idea why. Force of habit I guess. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/2 "2004-01-12T12:58:42Z")
Since my bathroom opens into my bedroom and is out of the view of the rest of the house, I usually don’t bother closing it. Besides, the dog and cat couldn’t come hang with me if I closed it. If I use the other bathroom, I will shut the door if someone else is home, but not if I’m alone. ---
**Author:** ![Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b38774/32.png) [@Hot\_Buttered\_Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hot_Buttered_Toast)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/3 "2004-01-12T13:07:57Z")
I do, because it’s a bit drafty in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@Moo\_the\_Magic\_Cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moo_the_Magic_Cow)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/4 "2004-01-12T13:39:36Z")
Oddly enough, while alone in my apartment I’m comfortable to pee with the door open, but not with the other business. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/5 "2004-01-12T13:52:32Z")
The cat would kill me if I didn’t leave the door at least partially opened - this isn’t really an issue, though, since the door is sort of warped and doesn’t close all the way anyways. We have to warn guests about it, but it’s not really a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/6 "2004-01-12T13:53:12Z")
Nah, the only time I shut the door at all is if I have people over. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/7 "2004-01-12T14:23:57Z")
Closed. Always. ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/8 "2004-01-12T14:24:50Z")
I used to close it and lock it. I really struggled to break that silly habbit and finally did. Occasionally I will still do it, but mostly I leave it open. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/9 "2004-01-12T14:33:40Z")
Before a friend of mine moved in with me I never bothered to close it, but now I do since I am no longer the sole occupant of my dwelling. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/10 "2004-01-12T14:50:42Z")
If I’m the only person home, nope, except if I take a shower because I’d freeze my butt off. The dogs like to come in and lie on the floor and keep me company. My former owner (a cat, duh) HATED for me to close the bathroom door, even if there were other people around to fuss over him. Cats. ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/11 "2004-01-12T15:12:21Z")
I don’t shut the door if I’m the only person home. And I’ll usually leave the door open if my wife is home, but sometimes I get to feeling… contemplative… and I’ll shut the door so I can meditate. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/12 "2004-01-12T15:13:41Z")
Open, always, because my cats consider closed doors to be an abomination before the Lady Bast. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/13 "2004-01-12T15:15:50Z")
Only if company is over or I’m taking a shower (don’t wanna freeze). Otherwise it’s free range. ---
**Author:** ![gyt\_fx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@gyt\_fx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyt_fx)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/14 "2004-01-12T15:39:22Z")
Is this thread about if your IN the bathroom and you close the door? or out…? I take it as when your out: I keep it open, and I HATE it when other people. Cause then if i want to usedthe bathroom i have to knock and see if there’s anyone in there before i barge in on someone unloading their business. When your in: I just give it a good swing (it’s a hollow door) so that it is not gaping open if my parents return from work or something. Plus, there’s a big huge mirror that reflects from the family room so if someone is sitting at the couch they can see the face of someone washing their hands in the mirror, and that’s too close for comfort… and sometimes if its not shut all the way the dog will poke his head in… ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/15 "2004-01-12T15:42:49Z")
Closed, regardless of who’s home. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/16 "2004-01-12T23:21:51Z")
Open, if I’m using the toilet. Closed and locked, if I’m taking a shower. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/17 "2004-01-13T01:55:32Z")
I live alone, and since there generally aren’t people here, I normally leave it open. If there are other people in the apartment, I close it. I half close it when I’m showering - the cats wouldn’t be happy if I closed it all the way, but I just can’t shower with the door completely open. ---
**Author:** ![BadCompany](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@BadCompany](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadCompany)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/18 "2004-01-13T02:01:13Z")
Before we had the kid the door was always open, now I close it for a moment of sanity. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/19 "2004-01-13T02:10:22Z")
It’s a habit for me. Doesn’t matter if there’s anybody else home or not. If I go in the bathroom for any reason I close the door and lock it. Although it is a hassle when the cat starts scratching at the door then I have to let her in but she only does that rarely. ---
**Author:** ![BellaDellaItalia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BellaDellaItalia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellaDellaItalia)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2004, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161/20 "2004-01-13T02:51:17Z")
I ALWAYS lock the door. Even if I’m home alone. Have since about age 10. No idea why. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-shut-the-bathroom-door-even-when-youre-alone-in-the-house-or-whatever/224161.md?page=2)