# Flush, you lazy bastard! Flush! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 24, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312 "2005-05-24T19:18:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/1 "2005-05-24T19:18:23Z")
I like to think that I preach and practice patience, tolerance and forbearance. I used to look at the posters in The Pit and say, “Oh, that’ll never happen to me, getting so angry about something I have to indulge in a public rant.” Well, it’s happened. I work in a corporate environment, surround by clean-cut, respectable folk from divers backgrounds and talents. So why can’t they (and by “they,” I mean the men-folk, but apparently the ladies have it, too) just learn to FLUSH THE FUCKING TOILET?!? If you KNOW you’ve just left a volleyball-sized mass of semi-digested food, half-sunken, odorous and crawling with bacteria, is it so hard to pump the handle once? Just once? Pretty please? I don’t especially want to look at your corn and peanuts, thank you very much! And if you KNOW that one flush didn’t clear away everything you left behind (and don’t say you didn’t know – we have that super-suction system so that the bowl flushes in 1.5 seconds), flush a second time, fer chrissakes! No one wants to see your sorry tail-end floaters. This isn’t like going in the middle of the night and not wanting to flush for fear of waking a sleeping household. You’ve just taken a ten-pound dump, and the guy who sits next to you for forty hours a week could be the next one in the stall after you. Do you _really_ want him to know that an overdose of Taco Bell has given you a spastic colon? And for the guy three weeks ago that came out of a stall and walked away without even _looking_ at the sinks: **fuck you, pal**. Glad you don’t work in _my_ department, but I feel sorry for anyone to whom you handed a paper that afternoon. I’m sorry. People are lazy and gross. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/2 "2005-05-24T19:32:25Z")
You do know that it is better for the Evironment and saves water if you DON"T flush after just urinating, right? “If it’s brown- flush it down. If it’s yellow, let it mellow”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/3 "2005-05-24T19:36:47Z")
Spoken like a true Californian, **DrDeth**. 😃 I am continually amazed, too, that educated urban professionals can’t even manage to flush a toilet. We have the same kind of grossness here at work, and it boggles my mind. (for the record, I go to the ladies’ room, and yes it’s pretty wicked there, too) ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/4 "2005-05-24T19:39:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You do know that it is better for the Evironment and saves water if you DON"T flush after just urinating, right? > > “If it’s brown- flush it down. If it’s yellow, let it mellow”. 🙂 Oh, absolutely. We have three stalls and three urinals complete with fresh-smelling pink targets. As long as it’s in the bowl and not on the seat, I’ve no objection to someone’s pee hanging around. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/5 "2005-05-24T19:45:51Z")
If I may add something…running your hands under cold water for three seconds does not constitute washing them. If you want people to think you wash your hands, how about you _ **actually wash your hands** _? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/6 "2005-05-24T19:52:11Z")
Like **Cervaise** once said, you’ll need to wash them with more than just _magic water_. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/7 "2005-05-25T07:54:16Z")
I actually got bitched out once by a roommate (twelve years my junior, no less) for being “childish and immature” because I made him flush the toilet after he took a shit. He seriously thought I should do it for him. Boggles the mind, it does. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/8 "2005-05-25T12:35:08Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > If I may add something…running your hands under cold water for three seconds does not constitute washing them. If you want people to think you wash your hands, how about you actually wash your hands? [Is this how _you_ do it?](http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/151bpract.html) > [@](#): > > [ol] > [li]Remove all jewelry (rings, watches, bracelets). [/li] > [li]Wash hands and arms with anitmicrobial soap. Excessively hot water is harder on the skin, dries the skin, and is too uncomfortable to wash with for the recommended amount of time. However, because cold water prevents soap from lathering properly, soil and germs may not be washed away. [/li] > [li]Clean subungual areas with a nail file. [/li] > [li]Start timing. Scrub each side of each finger, between the fingers, and the back and front of the hand for two minutes. [/li] > [li]Proceed to scrub the arms, keeping the hand higher than the arm at all times. This prevents bacteria-laden soap and water from contaminating the hand. [/li] > [li]Wash each side of the arm to three inches above the elbow for one minute. [/li]Repeat the process on the other hand and arm, keeping hands above elbows at all times. If the hand touches anything except the brush at any time, the scrub must be lengthened by one minute for the area that has been contaminated. > > [li]Rinse hands and arms by passing them through the water in one direction only, from fingertips to elbow. Do not move the arm back and forth through the water. [/li] > [li]Proceed to the operating room suite holding hands above elbows. [/li] > [li]If the hands and arms are grossly soiled, the scrub time should be lengthened. However, vigorous scrubbing that causes the skin to become abraded should be avoided. [/li] > [li]At all times during the scrub procedure care should be taken not to splash water onto surgical attire. [/li] > [li]Once in the operating room suite, hands and arms should be dried using a sterile towel and aseptic technique. You are now ready to don your gown and sterile gloves. [/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/9 "2005-05-25T12:51:25Z")
Gotta say: love the Thread Title. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/10 "2005-05-25T18:21:48Z")
OK, I’m not alone, here. I just overheard two departmental managers talking about the exact same thing. They’re grossed out by it, too; kind of amusing to hear them say how they’re sure it wasn’t one of _their_ people who would do something like that! ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/11 "2005-05-25T18:34:32Z")
It could be worse. At the law firm for which I work, we have an ongoing problem with ladies (and I use the term loosely indeed) who leave friendly deposits on the coal black seats. That you cannot see unless you catch a fortunate gleam of reflected light. I’d rather an unflushed deposit than one I find by sitting on it, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/12 "2005-05-25T18:54:07Z")
You work for a LAW firm and there are WOMEN there shitting on the lavatory SEAT?! Good god to fuck. Ally McBeal it obviously ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/13 "2005-05-25T20:22:26Z")
> [@istara](#): > > You work for a LAW firm and there are WOMEN there shitting on the lavatory SEAT?! > > Good god to fuck. Ally McBeal it obviously ain’t. Right, she was puking on the seat instead. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/14 "2005-05-25T21:17:02Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Gotta say: love the Thread Title. Did anyone else think this thread might be about an unskilled poker dealer who didn’t know how to properly read the board? \*:: crickets :: \* ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/15 "2005-05-25T22:06:21Z")
> [@istara](#): > > You work for a LAW firm and there are WOMEN there shitting on the lavatory SEAT?! I am willing to bet that it isn’t shit. it’s pee. Many women nowadays pee by squatting over the seat. This nearly always leaves urine on the seat. Although squating isn’t wrong, failure to clean and wipe the seat afterwards is pig behaviour. In a home, women keep their bathrooms cleaner than men. However, in public restrooms, women tend to be pigs. ---
**Author:** ![nesta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a4c791/32.png) [@nesta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nesta)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/16 "2005-05-25T22:50:38Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > Did anyone else think this thread might be about an unskilled poker dealer who didn’t know how to properly read the board? I was hoping for a good poker thread, and was ready to point out that the deck isn’t lazy; the flush draw will hit around 20% of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/17 "2005-05-26T04:17:00Z")
I am particularly amused by the “hover to pee, then wrap hand like a beehive to dab” women. They also refuse to flush in a public restroom for fear of germs. Listen up! Just wipe the seat and sit down. No one’s going to actually kiss your ass anytime soon, and that seat is probably cleaner than your kitchen counter. Normal urine is sterile, and your (unbroken) skin is a fairly effective germ barrier. Then when you’ve completed your business, flush the freaking toilet and wash your hands with soap and water before you pick your nose. Problem solved. I especially like telling these people about the vast quantities of mold and fungus spores they breathe directly into their lungs on a daily basis. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/18 "2005-05-26T05:21:55Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You do know that it is better for the Evironment and saves water if you DON"T flush after just urinating, right? > > “If it’s brown- flush it down. If it’s yellow, let it mellow”. 🙂 Yeah, but if I do that at home, there gets to be this disgusting ring of pee-sediment really darn quickly. I guess I’m supposed to ignore my disgust for the sake of the birdies and fishies? 😛 ---
**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:** [May 26, 2005, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/19 "2005-05-26T05:57:45Z")
I notice the lack of flushing in every public bathroom and I don’t understand it. Once, many years ago, I worked for a few months as a janitor at a local civic auditorium. When I started, I was warned by others that the women’s rooms were always far worse than the men’s rooms. I didn’t believe them at first but damned if it wasn’t true. Night after night, the women’s rooms looked like a bomb had hit them. For some reason they never seemed to want to use waste baskets and the floor was always littered with paper. There would always be those toilet paper rings on the seats as well, which it seems they would never dispose of and the next person would just wipe the entire thing onto the floor and build aother one. Then of course there was the squatting damage…and it wasn’t always urine…the less said the better. Men’s rooms rarely ha anything on the floor and I almost never saw the TP rings on the seats. I think part of the reason is that men just spend a lot less time in the bathroom than women do. Men get in there, piss and leave (maybe 50% wash their hands, so there’s less paper). Men also go in solo instead of in pairs or groups, so there isn’t any talking or hanging out. They still don’t flush, though and I’'m still baffled by that. Why the aversion to flushing? I don’t get it. Also, FYI for all the squatters and barrier builders out there…you can’t get _anything_ from a toilet seat. As long as there isn’t any actual piss or fecal matter on them (in which case, just wipe them off) they’re perfectly safe to sit on. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2005, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312/20 "2005-05-26T05:59:01Z")
Then- pee in the sink! At home- well if you’re the only dude who uses the toilet, and you don’t go that often, then there is an excuse to flush before going to bed or something, sure. But not at work, with a urinal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flush-you-lazy-bastard-flush/305312.md?page=2)