# Fuck you, public toilet lid down-putter! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 17, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062 "2011-08-17T18:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/41 "2011-08-17T21:42:51Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > Why the living FUCK do you do this? So stuff doesn’t spew in the air, but it could be worse. The President of our company has dropped his pager/cell phone in the toilet several times. That’s right, not once, not twice, but \*three \*times. The person who has been called in each time to flush it out? One of our VP’s. Just think dopers, _you could work here._ ---
**Author:** ![Snow\_Pea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/42 "2011-08-17T21:43:14Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > I don’t know if I’m making your problem worse, or helping you out, but…based on my exhaustive and completely scientific research, about 50% of the guys I work with don’t wash their hands after they urinate, and about 20% of them don’t wash their hands after the take a shit. And many of the ones who do wash don’t use soap or hot water. > > No toilet lids here (seriously, where do you find public toilets with lids?), but those guys then go out and touch things. With their hands. That just touched their dicks. Or their asses. Things that you also touch, like the doorknob, the copy machine, the handle on the coffee pot, or the mouse in the conference room. These are educated, wealthy men, God only knows what the hand washing rate is for the hobos and proles out in the general population. I know all that and no it doesn’t particularly bother me. As I said, I’m not a germaphobe. What I don’t understand is why people insist on making more work for others by putting the fucking lid down, forcing the next person to put it back up. Just leave it the fuck alone. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/43 "2011-08-17T21:55:37Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > And you’d be wrong. > > Tell me one single logical reason for putting the lid down in a porta-john after using it. From [The Cornered Cat](http://corneredcat.com/The_Embarrassing_Questions_Department/), a gun blog for women: > [@](#): > > If you shoot very often at an outdoor range, chances are that at one time or another, you will have to deal with a portapotty while you have a gun holstered on your hip. This is risky business, ladies – take it from someone who knows. > > ``` > What's the risk, you ask? Well ... > > A friend of mine once entered a portapotty during an IPSC match. She was carrying a Glock in a kydex holster which had a very open front to allow faster speed draws. The Glock was unloaded, per IPSC rules. She closed the door to the portapotty, began unfastening her belt ... > > ... and the firearm jumped right out of her holster and landed, KER-PLUNK, in the slime. ***Ewwwwww!!*** > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/44 "2011-08-17T22:00:54Z")
Note that on a cruise ship, you MUST close the lid before flushing the toilet, because the flush uses a vacuum system. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/45 "2011-08-17T22:02:21Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > .. And many of the ones who do wash don’t use soap or hot water. Um, then what do they wash with? It’s just a rinse if they don’t use soap. Also, hot water or cold water does not matter, as far as handwashing is concerned, except to remove paint or similar things that the heat might help loosen up (same with dishwashing). If the water is such that you can put your hands in it, it’s not hot enough to kill any germs. ---
**Author:** ![Sally\_Mander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@Sally\_Mander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sally_Mander)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/46 "2011-08-17T22:03:07Z")
Every toilet lid I’ve ever seen has those little knobs on them so the whole lid isn’t touching the seat. just the little knob things. Jeez, it’s no big deal to put the lid back up. If it bothers you that much, use some toilet paper to protect your hands. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/47 "2011-08-17T22:16:40Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > I know all that and no it doesn’t particularly bother me. As I said, I’m not a germaphobe. > > What I don’t understand is **why people insist on making more work for others** by putting the fucking lid down, forcing the next person to put it back up. Just leave it the fuck alone. Wait, so now it’s NOT the possibility of touching someone else’s butt germs that bothers you, now it’s too much work? Seriously? Okay, you’re not a Germaphobe, you’re a Princess… Good grief. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/48 "2011-08-17T22:36:15Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > Normally, I enter the stall, do a quick glance to make sure there is no urine or whatever on the toilet seat, sit down, do my business, wipe, flush and leave. The only thing I had to touch was my own clothes and the clean toilet paper. Uh, so just grab a wad of “clean toilet paper” :dubious: and lift up the seat. Or use your foot. To be ultra-safe, never _never_ enter a public excretorium. They’re packed jam-full of [horrifying microorganisms](http://www.pritchettcartoons.com/characters/mold.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/49 "2011-08-17T22:43:51Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > As I said, I’m not a germaphobe. And yet tou’re doing an **awesome** job of behaving like one. How many other Pit threads have you started? Reminds me of people who say “I’m not a racist _but_…” ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/50 "2011-08-17T22:47:43Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > I’m no germaphobe, Are you sure? This rant certainly sounds like it came from a germaphobe and lord knows, there are lots of them out there. Maybe they just don’t recognize themselves anymore, what with all of the Lysol ads telling us to sterilize everything, and - what is the ad that starts with “I might be mud, but I have standards”? That talks about how there might be bacteria on a regular mop? HELLO, you are mopping a FLOOR! What people WALK on. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > Some fucktards decide to reach out with their bare hand You don’t know this - they could have used a piece of toilet paper and disposed of it when they went to wash their hands. > [@](#): > > Now, when I arrive, I am forced to hook my thumb under the rim of the lid, having no idea what’s under there, Monsters. And Sarah Palin… > [@corkboard](#): > > Um, may I suggest you use your foot? I’ve been using public toilets for (counts on fingers and toes, adds…) a long time and I don’t think I’ve ever used my hand, nor have I given it more than half a second’s thought. Gee, thanks. Now we get to repair all the toilets you’ve broken and deal with whatever stuff was on the bottom of your shoe. > [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > They do it in porta-johns too. Which do not flush. WHY?? Because of the way portas are vented, it works better if the lid is down. Some portas have signs to that effect. > [@JohnT](#): > > F For the other, trash cans work well - no asses on those! Until you put yours on it… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/51 "2011-08-17T22:50:54Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > I know all that and no it doesn’t particularly bother me. As I said, I’m not a germaphobe. > > What I don’t understand is why people insist on making more work for others by putting the fucking lid down, forcing the next person to put it back up. Just leave it the fuck alone. First you claim that you’re not a germaphobe; you are just scared of germs. Okay then… Then, you pit people who put the lid down because it’s too much work to put it back up. Okay then… :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/52 "2011-08-17T23:08:38Z")
What a weird pitting. Between hiking a lot and visiting construction sites for work, I use a lot of public toilets and port-a-pottys. It is extremely rare to find one with a lid. But on the times that I do I’m always grateful if it’s down. Who wants to walk into the john and stare at the last persons shit pile? To me it’s just good manners. The seat and the lid don’t touch anyway (except for the little knobs) so what’s the big deal? Lift, do your business, close, flush, wash then go on your way. Sorry, honey, but your post screams, “germaphobe”. And moving the goalposts? Bad form. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/53 "2011-08-17T23:10:50Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > Because of the way portas are vented, it works better if the lid is down. Yes, also this. ---
**Author:** ![tenacious\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@tenacious\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tenacious_j)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/54 "2011-08-18T00:24:12Z")
as a longtime girl and less-longtime germaphobe let me point out a few things. 1. Spring loaded toilet seats are the fucking devil’s handiwork. Almost requires hand-touching or at least hand-on-TP-touching when a lady needs to pee. Which I do. 2. flush with your knee or your foot. (I know, not sanitary for the next guy but works for me for right now) AND lift and drop the seat with your knee or side of your leg. sounds complicated but a good shove will do it. that’s the germophobe speaking. While I’m here let me mention that the worst is people who pull the paper towel lever with their dirty hands then wash them then get the towel. WTF? You, madam, are the moron who put germs on the thing. Not the people who wash first and dispense with clean hands, and those who don’t wash don’t use towels. Dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/55 "2011-08-18T01:53:34Z")
Amazing how your germ free butt has to sit on unclean toilets. How can you stand that? When your antiseptic butthole finishes, i am sure you clean out all the germs. That is your purpose in life. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/56 "2011-08-18T04:51:23Z")
> [@KinkiNipponTourist](#): > > To me, that toilet seat trumps the lid, fecal-matter-spray-laden outermost sheets of toilet paper and the petri dish of disease-bearing flush handle–all of which you’re also touching while you’re in there. > > 😃 You are a very evil person 😃 I like you more even more than before 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/57 "2011-08-18T06:14:16Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > They do it in porta-johns too. Which do not flush. WHY?? > [@](#): > > Portable toilets … include lockable doors, ventilation near the top, and a stovepipe vent for the holding tank. Leaving the toilet lid open will reverse the flow of the venting of the tank. …[RIGHT][CITE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_toilet)[/RIGHT] CMC fnord! Just 'cause I didn’t go to the trouble of looking up a cite to not post it . . . this time. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/58 "2011-08-18T09:02:25Z")
> [@tenacious\_j](#): > > 1. flush with your knee or your foot. (I know, not sanitary for the next guy but works for me for right now) AND lift and drop the seat with your knee or side of your leg. sounds complicated but a good shove will do it. that’s the germophobe speaking. But don’t you see how self defeating this is? By using your foot you, by your own admission, making it less sanitary for the next person which in turn makes the world less sanitary for the next person, and for the wider world beyond the toilet…and in turn - for you! There is a herd immunity benefit in non-germaphobe behaviour. You cannot avoid germs, you simply cannot. I suspect for all your contortions, over and above standard hand washing, you do not greatly reduce your exposure to harmful organisms. (and actualy, if you do go to extremes and are one of those people who do manage to avoid a lot germs then I suspect you are not doing your immune system any favours) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/59 "2011-08-18T09:47:14Z")
> [@Snow\_Pea](#): > > What I don’t understand is why people insist on making more work for others by putting the fucking lid down, forcing the next person to put it back up. Just leave it the fuck alone. Snow Pea, if you would stop drinking from the public trough, folks would no longer take care to put the lid down on toilets that you might be using. ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062/60 "2011-08-18T15:41:59Z")
> [@tenacious\_j](#): > > 1. flush with your knee or your foot. (I know, not sanitary for the next guy but works for me for right now) AND lift and drop the seat with your knee or side of your leg. sounds complicated but a good shove will do it. that’s the germophobe speaking. I’d rather just wash my hands than do shit like this. But, I’ve gotta say: > [@tenacious\_j](#): > > (I know, not sanitary for the next guy but works for me for right now) This right here? This attitude is the reason for people doing _this_: > [@tenacious\_j](#): > > While I’m here let me mention that the worst is people who pull the paper towel lever with their dirty hands then wash them then get the towel. WTF? You, madam, are the moron who put germs on the thing. Not the people who wash first and dispense with clean hands, and those who don’t wash don’t use towels. Dumbass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-public-toilet-lid-down-putter/593062.md?page=4)