# I Pit public restrooms **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489 "2008-06-19T17:05:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/81 "2008-06-22T00:09:45Z")
**Zsophia** , I agree with ya on that one. The best answer is to have the flushable paper seat covers, how hard is that? Or better still, a flushable wipe dispenser, where people can wipe the seat before use. I can see, though , that many folks wouldn’t want to take that extra effort, and it would make for a wet seat. But, the alcohol hand sanitizer evaporates quickly, so maybe something along that line. On a previous SD thread like this, I was really grossed out when one poster said she just flushed with her foot to avoid germs. It had never occurred to me that someone would do that; thanks a lot for spreading all the bathroom crap on the floor onto the handle for me to touch. **freekalette** I do hear ya on the foot washing thang, and looked it up, seems there are [others](http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/node/4442) trying to deal with that problem. From the above link: > [@](#): > > When a student at Minneapolis Community and Technical College was injured last year after she slipped while trying to wash her feet in a bathroom sink, school officials scrambled to improvise a facility that would ensure the safety of all students. > > But they were unprepared for the reaction to what they thought was a simple safety precaution. > The student was performing Wudu, or ablution or Muslim ritual cleaning that involves washing of hands, face and feet before saying daily prayers. Many of the 500 Muslim students at MCTC practice that ritual several times a day. As a result, water spills on bathroom floors, creating slippery conditions for students who use the bathrooms. > > “This was creating hazard to Muslims and non-Muslims alike,” said Phil Davis, president of MCTC, who sought to install a special foot-washing basin that makes it easier — “and safer,” he said, for Muslim students to perform their ritual. More in the link, including resistance, especially with the M-word, but seems like the best solution. In edit: could the footwashing be adapted to using a hand/foot sanitizing wipe or gel? Some discussion might have that as a good solution. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/82 "2008-06-22T08:10:07Z")
[QUOTE=Ponch8] I hate when a place has two single-toilet bathrooms, and one is the men’s room and the other the women’s room. If only one person uses them at a time, why the hell do they have to designate which sex can use them? [/QUOTE] Why? Usually because that is required by law in their state. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/83 "2008-06-22T08:17:39Z")
[QUOTE=freekalette] I’ve said that it’s not washing their feet in the sink that’s the actual problem. Some of them don’t keep their feet in the sink, they RUB THEM ON THE FAUCET AND COUNTER. And I’m not Pitting them or their culture; I Pit the fucking managment who is so scared to offend them that they don’t try to put a stop to it. [/QUOTE] Actually, a sensible management response would be to install a footwashing station. A good plumber should be able to do this in an afternoon, for a pretty reasonable cost. That would make both you and the foot-washing people happy. It’s especially annoying that management can say that this has been a complaint for ‘several years’, but they don’t seem to have enough initiative or enough brains to do something about it. Like maybe a manager is supposed to manage problems? ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/84 "2008-06-22T08:37:26Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] My pitting is reserved for those businesses that buy superthin toilet paper. The kind of paper you could read through. Coincidentally, this kind of paper is always found in bookstores like Borders or Barnes & Noble. I know there’s probably a cost factor involved but I work in a prison and we use better toilet paper than this. [/QUOTE] That stuff is also known as John Wayne toilet paper. It’s rough and tough and won’t take shit off anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/85 "2008-06-22T16:42:12Z")
This may piss people off, but I’m saying it anyway. A company isn’t obliged to allow the practice of a religion in their building. They can tell them to take a break at the right time, wash up off the premises, and do their religious rites off premises. ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/86 "2008-06-22T17:46:42Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] It’s especially annoying that management can say that this has been a complaint for ‘several years’, but they don’t seem to have enough initiative or enough brains to do something about it. Like maybe a manager is supposed to manage problems? [/QUOTE] AMEN! Upon reading that story, I thought, “_Typical_ management! So careless that they have known it for years, and even so careless as to proudly declare that they’ve gone to great lengths to do nothing about it for years.” [QUOTE=ShermanAter] That stuff is also known as John Wayne toilet paper. It’s rough and tough and won’t take shit off anyone. [/QUOTE] I’ve never heard that before, but I love it and will quote it frequently. It’s thin, harsh, and crinkly. I like to conjure up my own backstory for unexplained phenomena like this. This one goes as follows: There was once a competition between toilet paper manufacturers to create the thinnest, cheapest toilet paper. When the concept came up at a committee meeting, someone said, “You know that solution we have for easier-to-fold-newsprint? Send in a sample of that shit on a roll!” The victory speech included the phrase, “You fuckers thought you were good with 2-ply, then they found a way to make 1-ply. Well, I present to you… **half** -ply! Take that, bitches!” The only way it could be thinner would be if it wasn’t there. If I am ever a business owner, I like to think that I would take enormous pride in my bathroom cleanliness. We will be “that place with the immaculate bathroom.” I would keep tons of spare 2-ply toilet paper in a stock room\*, plenty of soap on hand, cleaned daily with lemon-fresh cleaner, maybe even some plug-in air fresheners, wide stalls–each with the handicap-stall railing, fans hooked up to the light switch in order to provide ventilation and “cover noise,” maybe even some muzak pumped in for relaxation purposes, everything will be gleaming white to show off how clean it is, and (after reading this thread) hooks on the doors that snap closed as needed. \*I just checked the toilet paper stock in my apartment bathroom…36 rolls! And I almost bought 4 more yesterday. When the inevitable zombie apocalypse happens, those lucky enough to hole-up in my survivor cell will have the cleanest rectums in five states. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/87 "2008-06-22T18:11:35Z")
My boyfriend and almost _literally_ killed ourselves with carbon monoxide poisoning trying to make the bathroom in his store as clean as humanly possible, given what we started out with. Every time I’m there I go in and check it and make sure there’s plenty of toilet paper. If they ever start turning a profit I’m going to install a shelf with tampons and safety pins and bobby pins on it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/88 "2008-06-22T20:18:30Z")
Being old enough to prepare properly for evacuation, I included two rolls of toilet paper. I may be stuck stranded somewhere trying to evacuate, but at least I can wipe. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/89 "2008-06-22T21:07:31Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] Then there’s the auto paper dispensers. While they’re usually better than the air dryers, I know of one bathroom in particular that will spit out about 4" of paper towel when you wave your hand in front of it. Then, you have to stare at your new shred of paper towel for about 10 secs before the dispenser resets so you can get another 4" sliver. Repeat until you get engough paper towel shreds to do any good or until you’ve waiting long enough for evaporation to take care of it for you. [/QUOTE] I don’t know if this will be of any help, but the place I recently started working in has auto paper towel dispensers. On one machine in particular, if I grab the paper and gently pull it towards me, it causes the cutter blade to trip a reset switch, after which I can activate the motion sensor again. Of course, the dispenser is set to roll out about sixteen inches of towel in the first place, so I don’t need to use it that often. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/90 "2008-06-22T21:10:44Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] My boyfriend and almost _literally_ killed ourselves with carbon monoxide poisoning trying to make the bathroom in his store as clean as humanly possible, given what we started out with. [/QUOTE] Oh, goody, it’s Story Time! What were you using, a gasoline-powered leaf blower? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/91 "2008-06-22T21:35:34Z")
Oh, I posted about it. Gas-powered pressure washer. I know, I know! Look, it seemed like we had _plenty_ of ventilation. And the thing about it is, you don’t know how bad off you are because one of the symptoms is confusion. Looking back, I _definately_ should have gone to the emergency room (I was the worst off by far) but because we were all so befuddled it didn’t occur to anybody. Leaf blower? Man, that bathroom was gross, but it wasn’t _leaf blower_ gross. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/92 "2008-06-22T23:05:59Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] Oh, goody, it’s Story Time! What were you using, a gasoline-powered leaf blower? [/QUOTE] Look for the thread. It was almost fatal, so I have to say no goody story time here. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/93 "2008-06-22T23:30:39Z")
Well, it’s certainly worth telling people about because, look, we’re educated, smart people, and _we_ did it. You might get the same bright idea one day. I’m sure all those people who do die that way “knew better”. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/94 "2008-06-23T01:19:16Z")
[QUOTE=brewha] I know of one bathroom in particular that will spit out about 4" of paper towel when you wave your hand in front of it. Then, you have to stare at your new shred of paper towel for about 10 secs before the dispenser resets so you can get another 4" sliver. [/QUOTE] This made me laugh very hard. I don’t know why. **freekalette** , if feet gross you out that easily, may I recommend you never watch the movie _Freaks_? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/95 "2008-06-23T01:49:54Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] Well, it’s certainly worth telling people about because, look, we’re educated, smart people, and _we_ did it. You might get the same bright idea one day. I’m sure all those people who do die that way “knew better”. [/QUOTE] Don’t take it in a bad way. I was just emphasizing it was close to fatal for you and a serious matter. I thought you might even link the thread for people. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/96 "2008-06-23T02:22:48Z")
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, pisses me off more than nasty motherfuckers who think that urinals don’t need to be flushed. It’s fucking barbaric. I’d rather find a phat log of poop in a stall instead of seeing an unflushed urinal. At least the guy who left the unflushed log was trying to show off his creation but the filthfucks that don’t flush the pissers disgust me the most. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/97 "2008-06-23T02:24:34Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Tiny stalls. I hate having to be an acrobat just to wipe myself. Often my elbow will hit the wall, and my arm will ricochet and cause my poopy filled TP to touch my thigh, pants, or shirt. A pox on the engineers that have no consideration for the absent-minded/clumsy among us! [/QUOTE] I just wanted to add really quick.. What the fuck is wrong with you? You hit yourself with your shitty TP “Often”? Fuck that must suck… ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/98 "2008-06-23T03:26:01Z")
[QUOTE=SpazCat] This made me laugh very hard. I don’t know why. **freekalette** , if feet gross you out that easily, may I recommend you never watch the movie _Freaks_? [/QUOTE] Feet on my tv screen don’t gross me out. Wait, scratch that! What I meant was, seeing images of feet while watching the tv screen don’t gross me out. Even if they are doing gross things. You’ve sparked my curiosity, and now I’m dying to know - what’s the deal with _Freaks_? ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/99 "2008-06-23T04:07:49Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] Why? Usually because that is required by law in their state. [/QUOTE] I’m not aware of any laws to this effect. If there were such a law, how do you explain the existence of businesses that have a single unisex restroom and no men’s or women’s rooms? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489/100 "2008-06-23T04:43:58Z")
[QUOTE=Ponch8] I’m not aware of any laws to this effect. If there were such a law, how do you explain the existence of businesses that have a single unisex restroom and no men’s or women’s rooms? [/QUOTE] Well, your own state, Maryland adopts its toilet availability requirements from the 2000 National Standard Plumbing Code and from the 2001 Supplement. It’s now in the process of upgrading to the 2003 version. The current rules are: > [@](#): > > MARYLAND PLUMBING CODE relating to toilet availability > … > 7.21.4 Separate Facilities > Separate toilet facilities shall be provided for each sex. EXCEPTIONS: > … > 3. In businesses, occupancies with a total floor area of 1500 square feet or less, one toilet facility, designed for use by no more than one person at a time, shall satisfy the requirements for serving customers and employees of both sexes. For more see Maryland Code Ann. Health-General § 24-211. Or check with the American Restroom Association ([www.americanrestroom.org/](http://www.americanrestroom.org/)), which actually has it’s headquarters in your state. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-public-restrooms/453489.md?page=6)