# Dude, if you're not sitting, don't use the stall **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 20, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367 "2012-10-20T22:48:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/21 "2012-10-21T06:21:19Z")
I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen a handicap person using the handicap bathroom stall. As for using the stall when you gotta pee, well, I use the urinal because my bladder isn’t all that shy. I only use the stall for peeing when the urinals are all occupied. I close the door, I lift the lid and I pee standing up because I’m not a woman. When I need to take a dump I don’t get pissed off when someone else uses the stall to pee. It’s not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/22 "2012-10-21T06:30:33Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I think I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen a handicap person using the handicap bathroom stall. So what? It’s there as a stall of **necessity** -regardless of who it is that needs it. The handicapped need it because they cannot access the regular stalls. The able-bodied need it because all the other options are occupied. Pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/23 "2012-10-21T06:31:32Z")
I once had an enlarged prostate, and I could only piss sitting down . . . and it took several minutes before anything came out. Flomax is my god. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/24 "2012-10-21T06:39:33Z")
I just don’t want to risk other guys glancing over at the wrong time… …I don’t like making people feel inadequate, 's all. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/25 "2012-10-21T06:40:35Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Hey, at least don’t use the fucking handicap stall to piss in when all the other stalls are open _and_ all the fucking urinals are open as well. Happens a lot more than most people might imagine. How do you know the other stalls and urinals weren’t occupied when the dude in the handicapped stall entered said stall? ---
**Author:** ![AlienVessels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba8739/32.png) [@AlienVessels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlienVessels)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/26 "2012-10-21T10:35:51Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It doesn’t matter whether it’s real. If you’re going to use the stall, close the door, lock it and sit down. No. Feel free to stew knowing that even after you’ve explained why, some of us are using the facilities using our own set of standards. Have a nice day! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/27 "2012-10-21T11:42:00Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Close the door, lock it, and sit down. No. I’ll use it exactly how the fuck I want. Do you sit down to piss at home? If not, stop being such a fucking hypocrite and get a fucking life. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/28 "2012-10-21T11:49:27Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And regardless of what you’ve done in there, FUCKING FLUSH THE GODDAMN TOILET when you’re through. Naah, clean water’s too precious: If it’s Yellow Let it Mellow If it’s Brown Flush it Down ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/29 "2012-10-21T12:31:21Z")
Being female, there’s doubtless a lot about male restroom protocol I’m hazy on. Why is how someone uses the facilities (assuming he’s not making a huge mess) even an issue? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/30 "2012-10-21T12:39:33Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > No. I’ll use it exactly how the fuck I want. Do you sit down to piss at home? If not, stop being such a fucking hypocrite and get a fucking life. It doesn’t matter what either you or I do at home because at home there isn’t someone waiting to go after you and a stranger doesn’t have to clean up your mess. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Naah, clean water’s too precious: > > If it’s Yellow > Let it Mellow > If it’s Brown > Flush it Down Again, do what you like at home. In a public restroom, there’s someone who is going to have to use the facilities after you, and he shouldn’t be faced with a bowl full of your yellow. > [@Seanette](#): > > Being female, there’s doubtless a lot about male restroom protocol I’m hazy on. > > Why is how someone uses the facilities (assuming he’s not making a huge mess) even an issue? The issue is twofold: (1) when men stand to pee, they often leave urine all over the place and for some reason they think it’s okay to leave it like that (which I’m sure they wouldn’t do at home), and (2) if you don’t need to sit, then why take up a stall that someone else might be waiting for? There’s a row of urinals for the very purpose of standing and peeing. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/31 "2012-10-21T13:09:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > (1) when men stand to pee, they often leave urine all over the place and for some reason they think it’s okay to leave it like that (which I’m sure they wouldn’t do at home), and > > (2) if you don’t need to sit, then why take up a stall that someone else might be waiting for? There’s a row of urinals for the very purpose of standing and peeing. I’ll grant #1 (no pun intended), since I’ve had enough domestic experience with sharing bathrooms with men (various male parental figures, husband) to know the boys don’t aim as well as they think they do. 😉 As for the second one, I’d think the “shy bladder” issue would be a valid reason for a stall, if it helps the poor guy unload. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/32 "2012-10-21T13:11:39Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > How do you know the other stalls and urinals weren’t occupied when the dude in the handicapped stall entered said stall? Unless someone has a 10-gallon bladder, it wouldn’t be hard to figure out. The odds are really against everything being full except the handicapped, using the handicapped to urinate, and everything emptying before a handicapped person enters. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/33 "2012-10-21T13:28:30Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > Being female, there’s doubtless a lot about male restroom protocol I’m hazy on. > > Why is how someone uses the facilities (assuming he’s not making a huge mess) even an issue? It isn’t for the vast majority of men, hence the plethora of facetious replies. There is Men’s Room protocol, but it usually is rather simple. In The US, the basics are as follows, many are simply learned by osmosis rather than being explicit: Men generally do not talk to one another in the restroom unless conveying necessary information; _no chatting_. Exceptions include talking to bathroom attendants, pleasantries like advising another user that the soap is out etc… The Men’s Room is not an acceptable place to play dominance games. Men usually all make an effort to not be challenging and mind their own business there. Maintain a respectful distance from other users or those waiting. Do not crowd in if there is a line. In larger restrooms where there is a lot of traffic, everyone makes way for one another equally and politely. Do not look other users in the eye. If there are multiple urinals and no dividing screens, it is polite to leave a buffer urinal between yourself and another user. If possible, it is MOST polite to use the urinal on the far end of the line. Stalls are normally reserved for those who have children with them, have to poop, or have some other issue that makes using the urinals impractical. It is fine to use the stall if the urinals are occupied. That’s about it really. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/34 "2012-10-21T13:29:14Z")
If you’re pissing in the h/c stall and a legit h/c person needs it, it takes about 5 seconds to vacate, and it helps to have the door open. I don’t see a problem here other than someone needing to be a fucking busy-body. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/35 "2012-10-21T13:29:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Flushing? Not in many states- “In this land of sun & fun, we don’t flush for #1!”. It’s a huge waste of water to flush after just peeing. > [@MrDibble](#): > > Naah, clean water’s too precious: > > If it’s Yellow > Let it Mellow > If it’s Brown > Flush it Down Isn’t the next person that needs to take a shit in that stall going to flush your pee water anyway? I know I don’t want your urine H2O splashing all up on my junk while I’m trying to poop. Especially if you get those little basketball turds. Lots of ploppage there. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/36 "2012-10-21T14:06:32Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > It isn’t for the vast majority of men, hence the plethora of facetious replies. There is Men’s Room protocol, but it usually is rather simple. In The US, the basics are as follows, many are simply learned by osmosis rather than being explicit: > > Men generally do not talk to one another in the restroom unless conveying necessary information; _no chatting_. Exceptions include talking to bathroom attendants, pleasantries like advising another user that the soap is out etc… > > The Men’s Room is not an acceptable place to play dominance games. Men usually all make an effort to not be challenging and mind their own business there. Maintain a respectful distance from other users or those waiting. Do not crowd in if there is a line. In larger restrooms where there is a lot of traffic, everyone makes way for one another equally and politely. Do not look other users in the eye. > > If there are multiple urinals and no dividing screens, it is polite to leave a buffer urinal between yourself and another user. If possible, it is MOST polite to use the urinal on the far end of the line. > > Stalls are normally reserved for those who have children with them, have to poop, or have some other issue that makes using the urinals impractical. It is fine to use the stall if the urinals are occupied. > > That’s about it really. Looks like female restrooms are a little more relaxed. Use the next available stall that isn’t totally disgusting, and chatting with others is generally OK. Some get hissy about how the handicap stall must be kept unused unless a disabled person is in it, others (like me) see that stall as a legitimate option for the able-bodied if all others are full. I also have no objection to a mom with little kids using that one, especially if she has more than one and no helper with her (what’s she supposed to do, leave one or more small children outside the stall to wander off?). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/37 "2012-10-21T14:09:17Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Stalls are normally reserved for those who have children with them, have to poop, or have some other issue that makes using the urinals impractical. It is fine to use the stall if the urinals are occupied. Which, hey, is exactly my OP. ---
**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:** [October 21, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/38 "2012-10-21T14:20:43Z")
Pissed off by pissing habits. How sad. I don’t give a shit where people piss, so long as they don’t make a mess. I tend to make as much distance from me and other pissers as possible purely because some people have no control. If someone pisses in the stall standing up and doesn’t make a mess, which is entirely possible, why does it matter? Nothing worse than crossing the streams. ---
**Author:** ![Coustralee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Coustralee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coustralee)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/39 "2012-10-21T14:22:24Z")
I don’t see the issue, you’d only be waiting another 20-30 seconds if that. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367/40 "2012-10-21T15:23:30Z")
Why stand when you can sit? What, you gotta squat to piss? Although Churchill was referring to bathing rather than showering… Fucken A, he was. You got that right, buddy. If you’re my buddy, you’ll give me a crack at that toilet. I got a load here that ain’t waitin’ for no one. Time and tide, my friend, time and tide. What’s a newsmagazine and a laundry detergent got to do with this? I gotta take a dump so bad I can taste it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dude-if-youre-not-sitting-dont-use-the-stall/638367.md?page=3)