# Men: do you usually follow proper urinal etiquette? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 19, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252 "2010-07-19T18:33:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/1 "2010-07-19T18:33:29Z")
Do you follow proper men’s restroom etiquette? In my book, this would involve: 1. Never use a urinal next to someone else 2. Don’t look at other people who are using the other urinals 3. Don’t talk or make eye contact These have been summed up in this (now classic) video: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnOaMC8KHA4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnOaMC8KHA4) To answer for myself, the vast majority of the time I do, unless time is of the utmost essence I will use a urinal next to someone else if I have to. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/2 "2010-07-19T18:36:40Z")
I’ll give other guys a space if possible, but if it’s not possible, I’ll go ahead and take a spot next to someone else. I won’t chat up (or make eye contact with) strangers, but I’ll carry on a conversation with a friend if we’re in there at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/3 "2010-07-19T18:55:20Z")
Of course StP, you forgot option X! If you are drunk you can ignore most of the rules. It is perfectly fine to ramble and mutter to your buddy about some shit while you both piss into the same urinal, IF you are both drunk. You don’t even really need the urinal. Not cool to make eye contact with each other though, unless you both just spotted a hot chick. If this is happening while you are both using the urinal then you are at a great party. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/4 "2010-07-19T19:14:58Z")
I will provide a spacer urinal if there is room, but I won’t hesitate to use one next to someone else if that’s all that’s available. In my workplace, there are only two urinals in each bathroom so it’s common to be standing next to someone. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/5 "2010-07-19T19:36:24Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > 1. Never use a urinal next to someone else Incorrect. Deliberately waiting for a nonadjacent urinal to become available causes more awkwardness than just going ahead and using an adjacent urinal, and is therefore a breach of the rules. That’s a rookie mistake, **Swords to Plowshares**. Comprehensive urinal etiquette allows for the use of adjacent urinals, particularly during high traffic periods. Adjacency must be kept to a minimum, though. A urinal adjacent to a single occupied urinal is more acceptable than one adjacent to two occupied urinals. Furthermore, one must estimate the remaining occupancy time of urinals adjacent to a candidate urinal. For example, if there is a bank of four urinals with A and D occupied, one chooses B if it appears that the man at A will be finished before the man at D. It is, of course, important to choose a urinal in a manner that minimizes potential adjacency. When dealing with a bank of 5 urinals with E occupied, B is unacceptable because it leaves no nonadjacent urinals, while choosing A or C would. If you see B and E chosen more or less simultaneously, the correct course of action is to choose A. This will highlight the mistake of the man at B, and shame him into not making the same mistake again. (Forgive me if this was covered in the linked video. I got about 30 seconds in and found it unwatchable on account of the narrator’s awful voice.) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/6 "2010-07-19T19:59:15Z")
Obligatory [XKCD blog entry.](http://blog.xkcd.com/2009/09/02/urinal-protocol-vulnerability/) ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/7 "2010-07-19T21:13:57Z")
I assume that, for small restrooms, a corollary to these rules is “If there are two urinals with one occupied, but a stall that’s empty, use the stall…even though you only have to pee.” I do this. When I first saw the thread title, I had another thought as to what urinal etiquette might be. To me, there are two kinds of people in the world: 1. Those who flush the urinal after they piss 2. Those who do not. Can someone (perhaps a member) please explain to me the thought process of those in Group 2? What in your wildest dreams would make you think that the next person who comes along really, really wants to stand with his nose a couple of feet away from your stale piss? Is it really such a giant effort for you to push the fucking lever when you’re done? ---
**Author:** ![mo50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@mo50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mo50)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/8 "2010-07-19T21:33:59Z")
Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but another subcategory I’ve noticed is if the urinals are in use, and there’s a regular toilet stall available, some guys will wait for the urinal to become available rather than pee in the regular toilet. I guess the sound of peeing is somehow embarrassing? Maybe a shy bladder kinda thing? Anyway, never got that. Oh, & just to add more confusion, there are also some guys who flush the urinal _ **while** _ the’re peeing. Go figure! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/9 "2010-07-19T23:27:19Z")
I use the urinal next to people if that is all there is and I have to go. But I don’t chat with people and I don’t look at them. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/10 "2010-07-19T23:46:10Z")
> [@mo50](#): > > Oh, & just to add more confusion, there are also some guys who flush the urinal _ **while** _ the’re peeing. Go figure! 😕 Race to the finish! ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/11 "2010-07-19T23:48:20Z")
Yeah, I purposefully choose the most awkward urinal when I use an occupied bathroom. It’s part of my charm. Plus, seeing people squirm makes me giggle. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/12 "2010-07-20T00:04:48Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > I assume that, for small restrooms, a corollary to these rules is “If there are two urinals with one occupied, but a stall that’s empty, use the stall…even though you only have to pee.” I do this. Me, too. At work, we only have two urinals in most bathrooms and they don’t have that little half-wall separation. I can’t do that. Our arms are practically touching, they’re way too close and it feels really awkward. If the stalls are occupied and one urinal is taken, the bathroom’s full as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/13 "2010-07-20T00:30:21Z")
Apropos of nothing other than this is a thread of bathroom talk, one of the bathrooms on my campus was converted from a womens bathroom to a mens. Or I assume so because there is a large glass mirror and shelf on the wall perpendicular to the two urinals, the far one of which is a childrens urinal. It is surprisingly funny watching people try to decide which urinal to use: the real one but be that close to a mirror that might reflect things you don’t want reflected or the kids urinal that requires a more adept touch to use. In either case, it makes me glad I don’t have a strict and complicated bathroom usage policy. ---
**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:** [July 20, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/14 "2010-07-20T02:13:09Z")
You should really break this poll down into gay vs. straight. When my (gay men’s) chorus is on break, half of the guys have to use the men’s room. We’re talking among ourselves, joking with each other, and generally act the same as we do anywhere else. Straight guys, for some unknown reason, think that they’ll catch teh gay if they even acknowledge anyone’s presence. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/15 "2010-07-20T02:17:50Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > You should really break this poll down into gay vs. straight. > > When my (gay men’s) chorus is on break, half of the guys have to use the men’s room. We’re talking among ourselves, joking with each other, and generally act the same as we do anywhere else. Straight guys, for some unknown reason, think that they’ll catch teh gay if they even acknowledge anyone’s presence. It’s not just a gay v straight issue. Also gay here and hate when people converse while I’m trying to piss. ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/16 "2010-07-20T02:27:22Z")
Well, just to round our the gay v. straight aspect: I’m straight, and I usually pull up next to a guy, ask how he’s hanging, then look over to see if he tells me the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/17 "2010-07-20T02:52:31Z")
I generally follow the rules, but I have been to known to violate the talking rule from time to time… Oops. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/18 "2010-07-20T02:59:43Z")
There is also the optional corollary of whether to spit before peeing or not. A psychological ‘kick-start’ for those with stage fright. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/19 "2010-07-20T03:18:36Z")
don’t take a wide stance. no that’s toilets. no wait that should be both. at a concert since there is a line out the door you take whatever urinal comes next. feel free to talk about the tunes to people on both sides about what tunes are good. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252/20 "2010-07-20T05:07:24Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Apropos of nothing other than this is a thread of bathroom talk, one of the bathrooms on my campus was converted from a womens bathroom to a mens. Or I assume so because there is a large glass mirror and shelf on the wall perpendicular to the two urinals, the far one of which is a childrens urinal. It is surprisingly funny watching people try to decide which urinal to use: the real one but be that close to a mirror that might reflect things you don’t want reflected or the kids urinal that requires a more adept touch to use. In either case, it makes me glad I don’t have a strict and complicated bathroom usage policy. OK, you’ve given me leave to tell my own campus story from years and years ago. My girlfriend of the time lived in a dorm that had been converted at some point from a men’s to a women’s building. Hence, the bathrooms had urinals. As it was an older dorm, they were the old-style bowl urinals that projected out from the wall. The story that went around (and it could well have been an urban legend – but a good one!) was that a somewhat naive student – upon seeing these devices for the first time in her life – wondered what they were for. She was told they for washing your hair – so that’s what she did. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-do-you-usually-follow-proper-urinal-etiquette/547252.md?page=2)