# No, you can't use my bathroom **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 7, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491 "2005-07-07T19:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/161 "2005-07-09T08:54:33Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Last week I came home at ten p.m. to a backed-up toilet and an apologetic message on my answering machine about it. I was slightly annoyed, yes, but only slightly. There was not much he could do about it, really - I keep my plunger, snake and other de-clogging paraphenalia in a locked storage area outside and I would hardly expect him to go buy one just for the one job. So I sighed, grumbled under my breath about the injustice in the world, got my plunger and cleaned up the mess. Life went on. We keep a plunger, a toilet brush, and air freshener in our guest bath. Right by the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/162 "2005-07-09T12:27:17Z")
> [@JohnBckWLD](#): > > Back when I did roofing, the boss (my brother) required everyone to use the ‘throne’ out in the company van. The shit pot, as it was affectionately known, was an empty 5 gallon USG Joint Compound bucket that we’d line with a hefty bag. Infinitely better than what I’ve seen on numerous job sites, which is for the workers to go in the bathtub, the sink, any empty closet, the attic, or even down in the walls themselves. Or like a co-worker experienced recently upon touring their new house, open for first inspection, bringing along friends and family - a giant pile sitting right, smack in the middle of the kitchen floor. “Hey, come see your new kitchen and WHAT THE FUCK?!” That cost the contractor more than $3000 so they wouldn’t walk away. Expensive shit. Thankfully I never run into that at power plants. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/163 "2005-07-09T13:07:46Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > :eek: > > Holy … well, you know. > > Is that even halfway common? I don’t know if it’s common, but it’s the same for me. Barring some gastric problem, I can wait for many hours. I knew, though, that it wasn’t the case for everybody. I wouldn’t have thought I would ever comment about such a thing here. But in the interest of fighting ignorance… ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/164 "2005-07-09T13:08:28Z")
Okay, I’ll take a dump here, too, and add my own shitty story. When I worked with a crew of new home painters (the builder only did huge custom homes that took us weeks to finish), we constantly found ourselves without any type of facilities. The reason being that we came in after almost everything but the carpet, tile, and finish plumbing and electrical. (When those finish things were done,we would come back for a day of touch up.) With rough in plumbing and electrical, we would hook from outside through our own breaker box and attatch a hose to the outide spigot. Since we were a crew of four, the builder never seemed to realise that we would appreciate it if he left the port-o-pottty on the jobsite. Sometimes it was a problem of the scheduling of the designer, realter, buyer, etc… to pick out the colors and patterns of paint, stain, wallpaper, etc… which would mean the john sitting there for a month unused. So, he would just pull it and ‘forget’ to schedule it back. Anyways… This all required that we find a place to go. Pee was no problem, obviously. But for shit, we used our shit buckets. A five gallon paint bucket with a lid and some personal identifier. Some guys used closets for their bucket needs, one guy used the attic. After one job we did in the spring, we were talking to the builder in late August and he happened to mention a very bad smell that he couldn’t find in any of the plumbing at that house. Well, you guessed it, as did we. It was attic guy’s bucket. Goodness, what a smell! Leaving the house open for a couple of days got rid of the lingering odor. Told ya it was a shitty story. * * * Another thought. Whenever I find myself doing strenuous labor, it seems more likely that I will need to defecate in an urgent manner. Not squirtz, not me being ill, just a very intense awareness of the need to purge and soon. Does anyone else here ever find that to be the case? ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/165 "2005-07-09T13:32:05Z")
Well this thread has inspired me to once-and-for-all scrub my skid-mark bedevilled toilet. (I don’t entertain often.) I went to the supermarket and while perusing the Noxious Chemicals Aisle, I discovered the most ingenious cleaning device ever invented: A toilet brush with a can of Lysol foaming stuff _built right into the handle!_ You stick the brush in the bowl, push the safety, pull the trigger, and it squirts a bunch of minty-fresh abrasive right through the head into your toilet bowl. You must be careful duriing assembly, however, lest this device of porcelain immaculation prematurely ejaculate cleaning fluid all over your living room. I learned this the hard way. (When fully loaded, I should note, it has a firing range totally inappropriate for the close-quarters of toilet cleaning. Still pretty awesome though.) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/166 "2005-07-09T14:06:59Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > (When fully loaded, I should note, it has a firing range totally inappropriate for the close-quarters of toilet cleaning. Still pretty awesome though.) Sounds like that’s what the OP needs. She can stand clear back in her living room, lift the lid with a ten foot pole, and fire away with this gizmo. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/167 "2005-07-09T14:25:58Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Another thought. Whenever I find myself doing strenuous labor, it seems more likely that I will need to defecate in an urgent manner. Not squirtz, not me being ill, just a very intense awareness of the need to purge and soon. Does anyone else here ever find that to be the case? Oh yeah. Experts (doctors and **Lieu** ) will tell you that exercise helps get things moving. I think that’s one of the reasons that you’ll be constipated if you’re incapacitated. I was in the hospital for 5 days in May, and didn’t poop until the 5th day (two teeny tiny turds). I wouldn’t have bothered except they wouldn’t let me leave until I did. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/168 "2005-07-09T14:27:24Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > After one job we did in the spring, we were talking to the builder in late August and he happened to mention a very bad smell that he couldn’t find in any of the plumbing at that house. Well, you guessed it, as did we. It was attic guy’s bucket. Goodness, what a smell! Leaving the house open for a couple of days got rid of the lingering odor. > > Told ya it was a shitty story. > > * * * And people need to realise that if you don’t make provisions for the workers to ‘relieve’ themselves they will make their own provisions. Drywallers, for example, will leave ‘time bombs’ in the walls if their isn’t a potty on the site. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/169 "2005-07-09T14:36:36Z")
> [@Stonebow](#): > > Seriously, when I have anyone working for me- contractor, repairman, etc. I make sure to offer them a beverage, a snack if I have anything handy, and let them know where the facilities are. I also make a point of shaking their hand before and after the job is done, and let them know if they need anything to just ask. > > Funny thing- I’ve never been the victim of poor workmanship on a contracted job, and I’ve never felt cheated by the bill. Coincidence, surely. Out of curiosity, do you do this if you’re not home? I’ve had a few contractors, but they always come while I’m at work and do stuff on the outside of the house, and it’s never occurred to me to leave the house open for their pooping pleasure. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/170 "2005-07-09T14:42:04Z")
Ths is the bit that made me laugh the most at this feeble and utterly facile and pathetic complaint > [@Sat on Cookie](#): > > And by the way, you must know that I’m beside myself thinking you could be whacking off in there, in addition to taking a dump. Note to all - never be out of **SoC** ’c line of sight for more than 15 minutes because she’ll be beside hersef thinking you’re having a wank. Beside hereself!!! What an arse. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/171 "2005-07-09T14:46:45Z")
> [@Uncommon Sense](#): > > And people need to realise that if you don’t make provisions for the workers to ‘relieve’ themselves they will make their own provisions. Drywallers, for example, will leave ‘time bombs’ in the walls if their isn’t a potty on the site. Erm… Is anyone else reading these construction stories and wondering just what lurks in their walls? Under their attic insulation? In hidden areas now enclosed by cabinets? :eek: I’m glad the one construction job that I did had a porta-potty on site. And, to back up **NoClueBoy** ’s observation, I did crap in it quite a bit, something I normally don’t do on the job much less in a porta-potty. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/172 "2005-07-09T14:47:00Z")
It just seems like common courtesy that if someone is going to be working in your home all day, you’d allow them use of your bathroom and not complain if they take a dump in your toilet. That’s just… decency. ---
**Author:** ![Adoptamom\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Adoptamom\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adoptamom_II)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/173 "2005-07-09T14:59:03Z")
Just for the record - Mr. Adoptamom, nor his crew, create their own provisions if none are provided. He said no self respecting tradesman who values his reputation would even consider such a thing. I asked him specifically what he does if no restroom is available. He said they will leave the jobsite to find a restroom to relieve themselves while on the clock - so the homeowner pays for it one way or the other. His suggestion? Provide a port-a-potty - it’s cheaper in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/174 "2005-07-09T15:29:00Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > I keep my plunger, snake and other de-clogging paraphenalia in a locked storage area outside… Whaaaaat? We keep the plunger right next to the toilet so when there’s a clog, we can get it right away to prevent an overflow. Keeping it locked up well away from the bathroom seems like asking for disaster. ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/175 "2005-07-09T15:29:46Z")
Wow. If the carpet cleaning crapper only knew what his shit has wrought…172 posts all arguing about his feces. If I knew that that many people were engaged in a heated discussion of a single bowel movement of mine I’d be severely traumatized. I think I’d have to retreat from society altogether. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/176 "2005-07-09T15:46:11Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Out of curiosity, do you do this if you’re not home? I’ve had a few contractors, but they always come while I’m at work and do stuff on the outside of the house, and it’s never occurred to me to leave the house open for their pooping pleasure. I’ll answer , since my lovely husband is currently eating his breakfast. I hope you don’t mind, **Daniel**. **Stonebow** ’s office is five minutes from our house, and the cheeky bastard has a job that pretty much allows him to come and go as he pleases. He generally schedules any work that has to be done in (or around) our house on his light office days, so he can be here. Alternatively, large scale planned projects are scheduled during the summer, when I am home on summer break. Let me also say that this penchant for wanting to be present has nothing to do with distrust, and more to do with convenience. I was here to tell the guttering crew where I wanted the down spouts. I was here to tell the fencing crew where I wanted the gate. Stonebow was here to help the cable guy find all the cable jacks. He was here to tell/show the Sear repairman exactly what was wrong with the dryer and discuss the ordering of parts. I tend to think it makes the job run more smoothly and faster for everyone involved. As of yet, we’ve not had any large scale construction projects that take more than a day. I suppose we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but on average, **Stonebow** or I are present at the house every four hours. He leaves at 8:00 am and comes home for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00. I am home by 4:30. ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/177 "2005-07-09T15:55:44Z")
That toilet must have _really_ tied the room together. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/178 "2005-07-09T15:57:28Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > It just seems like common courtesy that if someone is going to be working in your home all day, you’d allow them use of your bathroom and not complain if they take a dump in your toilet. > > That’s just… decency. Decency hell, it seems like plain ol’ common sense. I mean, what the hell else is a bathroom for, if not for shitting? Why even have a toilet in the first place if you’re not going to let it be used? ---
**Author:** ![EleventyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@EleventyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EleventyOne)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/179 "2005-07-09T15:57:29Z")
> [@Green Bean](#): > > Welcome to the SDMB, **EleventyOne**. I think you’ll shit in…err…fit in quite nicely here. Your post brought to mind one of the finest threads ever produced on the Dope– **Troy** already linked to it, above. Great minds, and all that. Thanks for the welcomes, you and **PonderStibbons**! I, uh…That’s an interesting thread. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491/180 "2005-07-09T17:03:41Z")
> [@uglybeech](#): > > Wow. If the carpet cleaning crapper only knew what his shit has wrought…172 posts all arguing about his feces. > > If I knew that that many people were engaged in a heated discussion of a single bowel movement of mine I’d be severely traumatized. I think I’d have to retreat from society altogether. You must then share similar Wilting-flower like traits with the OP (who, by the way, is the focus of this lengthy conversation. You will notice that the main theme here seems to be that the working dude did nothing wrong and that the OP needs to take a deep breath (with any luck, inside the now tainted bathroom) and re assess just what the function of that particular room is). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-cant-use-my-bathroom/311491.md?page=10)