# Official Straight Dope Poll: Women, do you Sit or Hover? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 14, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002 "2012-12-14T05:16:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/41 "2012-12-14T22:55:08Z")
> [@TheBori](#): > > I’ve often wondered why more women don’t select this option…that is, the stand and shoot. I realize there is a potential lack of directional control (It would be quite a task to write you name in the snow, for example), but it would solve a lot of hover issues. Could you use a urinal? How do you want us to “shoot”? Do you know what the anatomy is like down there? We don’t have a hose to aim, and it’s likely to end up running down a leg. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/42 "2012-12-14T22:58:11Z")
I sit. I’m freaking tired of the women at my school who “hover” and piss all over the seat. And yes, I understand that when the toilets flush, water from the toilet sometimes spews in drops onto the seat, but I know the difference between toilet water and piss. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/43 "2012-12-14T23:01:28Z")
Sit. Isn’t that why they call it a rest room? > [@twickster](#): > > Yeah, I think you need another option – swipe the seat with some TP to make sure it’s dry, then sit. That’s what I do, and it looks like I’m not the only one… Some of the public loos at the mall where I shop have little spray thingies on the wall which contain anti-bacterial stuff. If I remember I spray some of this on the paper and give the seat a wipe. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/44 "2012-12-14T23:09:53Z")
Sit, no ass-gasket. If the toilet is disgusting I find another one or hold it. If it’s got a drop or two on it from the previous occupant, I used TP to swipe it dry. As the spouse is fond of saying, “I have an immune system and I’m not afraid to use it.” ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/45 "2012-12-14T23:15:24Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > The hostility in this thread is quite fascinating, btw. Never knew this was such a hot-button issue! It is, imagine being the one who sits in a room full of hoverers, like those from the place where the toilets have no lids that I mentioned above. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/46 "2012-12-14T23:24:05Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I can report to this day that my mother carefully wipes down the seat with toilet paper and sanitizer she carries in her purse, lines the whole seat with either TP or a cover if it’s available, and then hovers over the whole set up. It takes her _FOREVER_ in the damn bathroom, but I guess her ass flesh is safe. I don’t understand this - if she’s going to hover anyway, why wipe down the seat and line it with toilet paper.? In fact, why not just lift the seat altogether and eliminate any possibility of leaving a mess? ---
**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:** [December 14, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/47 "2012-12-14T23:30:07Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Yeah, I think you need another option – swipe the seat with some TP to make sure it’s dry, then sit. That’s what I do, and it looks like I’m not the only one. (Voted “sit, period” although that’s not precisely correct.) I probably assumed incorrectly that absolutely no one would sit without wiping. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a seat completely free of water, urine, blood, or worse out in public. If anyone sits WITHOUT ever wiping, please reply (if for no other reason, to brag about your barbarian prowess!) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/48 "2012-12-14T23:40:06Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > **Cecil** and I were chatting last night about research topics and we found an interesting question regarding the public toilet habits of women. Namely, there seems to be some surprising numbers on how many women will hover over a toilet seat on a regular basis versus how many will sit - with or without a seat cover. > > So, ladies, we’d like to know what you **normally** do in public toilets. If you have some special technique or style, or some sort of horror story which changed you from a “Sitting Susan” to a "Hovering Helen, please elaborate. > > Before answering please note that we know this is an unscientific poll, so please do not post telling me such. I sit, and don’t bother with porous covers (I have never understood how porous paper is supposed to block micro-organisms smaller than said pores). I HATE discovering that the previous user of the toilet in question hovered, since those special princesses with such delicate backsides can’t be bothered to clean up after themselves. Apparently, I should be absolutely thrilled to have to wipe up some stranger’s urine before I can unload my own. Of course, I do have a functioning immune system and some awareness of just what parts of a restroom are germiest (and it’s not the toilets). ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/49 "2012-12-14T23:42:38Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > _deep breath_ > > I’m possibly about to embarrass myself here, but do other women feel the difference between needing #1 and needing #1? > > Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely continent, and know when I need to go to the loo, but it never occurs to me to distinguish between going to the loo just for a wee, or for both. > > And I have wondered how men cope, having to pay that much attention to which sphincter is feeling the pressure, in order to choose which facility to commit to entering 😛 I can usually tell “which sphincter is feeling the pressure”, but since I sit for both, no real difference in what I do about it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/50 "2012-12-15T00:14:35Z")
> [@followrivers](#): > > Normally I hover and I do not make a mess. I really don’t even understand how people get pee all over the damn place anyway. I would never voluntarily sit on a public toilet, it’s been ingrained in me since I was little to not do that. **When I’m drunk, however, this all goes out the window.** (a) Great username-thread response combo. (b) I guess that makes up for all the guys who pee on the wall when they’re drunk. (c) Hi, Opal! (d) I chose “Other” even though I’m a pointer because I wanted to see the numbers. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/51 "2012-12-15T01:10:13Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I don’t understand this - if she’s going to hover anyway, why wipe down the seat and line it with toilet paper.? In fact, why not just lift the seat altogether and eliminate any possibility of leaving a mess? I can assure you, my mother would NEVER leave a mess because she’s not a ‘Filthy, Disgusting Pig[sup]TM[/sup].’ As to why she does it, well who the hell knows. She’s been doing it for 66 years - at this point I think she just likes it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/52 "2012-12-15T01:42:35Z")
I’m a sitter. I find that I can’t empty my bladder completely if I hover. Don’t normally worry about covers but I always wipe the seat first. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/53 "2012-12-15T03:37:50Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I probably assumed incorrectly that absolutely no one would sit without wiping. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a seat completely free of water, urine, blood, or worse out in public. > > If anyone sits WITHOUT ever wiping, please reply (if for no other reason, to brag about your barbarian prowess!) 😛 I don’t unless I notice some sprinkles, which were likely caused by the flush (as I have to clean the lid after me in many of those cases too). ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/54 "2012-12-15T03:39:48Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > I’m possibly about to embarrass myself here, but do other women feel the difference between needing #1 and needing #1? Female here - it’s two entirely different sensations, there’s absolutely no confusing them, though as someone else mentioned I think, sometimes I might go in just to pee and then my colon decides it’s full and should evacuate, too. > [@TheBori](#): > > I’ve often wondered why more women don’t select this option…that is, the stand and shoot. I realize there is a potential lack of directional control (It would be quite a task to write you name in the snow, for example), but it would solve a lot of hover issues. Could you use a urinal? Women are all built differently. Some have more labia than others. There’s no way I could go other than squatting without things misfiring down a leg. If I stood, I would still have to sort of bend a little at the waist and knees and would have to physically separate my labia with my fingers to even have a chance at a “clean shot” and then I’ll have piss all over my hands. Much easier and cleaner to just pull the back of my pants forward between my knees and squat. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/55 "2012-12-15T03:48:52Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > No, you don’t pull one leg out entirely. 🙂 That would be really weird. > > You pull your pants down and you kind of tuck them behind your knees. So basically your butt and thighs are hanging out. You might even have to wrap your shirt around your waist; the kameez part of the salwar kameez is long, so I often ended up tucking it under my arm. > > It sounds complicated but after you’ve done it a couple-three times you do it like second nature. _unbuttons jeans and squats_ Oh hey, that would work. Especially if you’re using a floor-level fixture rather than a literal hole in the ground. I’m afraid it’s an unknown art in my part of the world - the few female backpackers I’ve discussed the subject with all described pulling one leg out, and only doing so once per day because of the nuisance. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/56 "2012-12-15T03:53:45Z")
> [@FlyByNight512](#): > > As someone who’s never used a squat toilet, I’m having trouble visualizing that. Do your pants go forward or back to stay out of the way? Or do you pull one leg out entirely? I’m trying to remember how I managed the squat toilet I used, but then I recalled I was also drunk at the time. Nonetheless, I managed the feat without soiling my clothing. So… if a drunk American tourist who has never even _heard_ of a squat toilet before encountering one can pull it off I’m assuming most folks can. I think I sort of bunched my jeans around my knees. That said - old folks with arthritic knees _would_ have a problem getting back upright. Perhaps grab bars? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/57 "2012-12-15T04:00:55Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > If anyone sits WITHOUT ever wiping, please reply (if for no other reason, to brag about your barbarian prowess!) 😛 Unless there is OBVIOUS fouling of the sit yes, I sit, bare ass to porcelin. I’ve yet to catch anything off a toilet seat. In the highly unlikely event I might leave something behind I clean it up prior to exiting the stall. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/58 "2012-12-15T05:23:48Z")
I will wipe and then sit (which is what I call “sitting” as I could not imagine anyone would actually sit in something they saw). However, if there is blood, then I will sometimes hover. For some reason blood throws me more than anything else. But there are a limited number of permutations of poll questions, so I voted for my own option 1. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/59 "2012-12-15T14:19:16Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m trying to remember how I managed the squat toilet I used, but then I recalled I was also drunk at the time. Nonetheless, I managed the feat without soiling my clothing. So… if a drunk American tourist who has never even _heard_ of a squat toilet before encountering one can pull it off I’m assuming most folks can. I think I sort of bunched my jeans around my knees. > > That said - old folks with arthritic knees _would_ have a problem getting back upright. Perhaps grab bars? Well, I’m old now (gah! I am!) but my knees were arthritic when I was in my 20s. Once in Italy I grabbed on to the sink and almost pulled it off the wall, so yeah, grab bars would help. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002/60 "2012-12-15T21:03:51Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Female here - it’s two entirely different sensations, there’s absolutely no confusing them, though as someone else mentioned I think, sometimes I might go in just to pee and then my colon decides it’s full and should evacuate, too. Yeah, that could be it, thanks 🙂 > [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Women are all built differently. Some have more labia than others. There’s no way I could go other than squatting without things misfiring down a leg. If I stood, I would still have to sort of bend a little at the waist and knees and would have to physically separate my labia with my fingers to even have a chance at a “clean shot” and then I’ll have piss all over my hands. Much easier and cleaner to just pull the back of my pants forward between my knees and squat. Yup. Unless I had an incredibly full bladder, I’d have three separate sprays going off in various directions, with a fourth trickling down my leg. No way to keep skirts/trousers/tights out of the way! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-straight-dope-poll-women-do-you-sit-or-hover/644002.md?page=4)