# Trapped in a bathroom: did she over-react? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 12, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191 "2013-12-12T19:51:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/41 "2013-12-12T21:54:39Z")
I once rescued someone locked in a room that no one before or since locked themselves into. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/42 "2013-12-12T21:55:53Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > There is no reason a bathroom door in an office should be able to only be locked and unlocked from the outside only. What if the building caught on fire? What if coworkers were up to playing pranks on people. What if she was diabetic and needed to take insulin? If I were her I would give that employer both barrels if they suggested I should have waited there all night. I’ve never been in a bathroom that couldn’t lock and unlock exclusively from the inside. Sounds like they were due to renovate anyway. She just got a headstart on the demolition! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/43 "2013-12-12T22:00:20Z")
Not an overreaction at all. Sure, she wasn’t in any danger and would have been fine until Monday if need be. But I have a hell of a lot better things to do with my weekend than hang out in a bathroom the whole time, and I would definitely punch through the wall after less than 8 hours. As for the husband, maybe he’s an uncaring jerk, or maybe it was already past his bedtime and this is standard operating procedures for the couple. It’s pointless to judge based on the info in the article. But I have no problem judging an idiot who puts the bathroom lock on the outside. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/44 "2013-12-12T22:07:24Z")
It turns out that the problem was that the door opened inward. j/k ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/45 "2013-12-12T22:13:26Z")
According to another article, her husband was organizing a search party when she called him after she had freed herself. > **[Woman trapped in D.C. bathroom claws her way out in 'Shawshank' ordeal](https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-trapped-bathroom-claws-article-1.1545458)** > > Just like the Shawshank Redemption ... but in a Washington, D.C., restroom. A woman was forced to claw her way out through a wall after spending eight hours locked in her work building's bathroom. Karen Perrin, wife of former Redskins running back... ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/46 "2013-12-12T22:19:03Z")
[In Retrospect, I Guess We Might Have Resorted To Cannibalism A Bit Early](http://www.theonion.com/articles/in-retrospect-i-guess-we-might-have-resorted-to-ca,10878/) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/47 "2013-12-12T22:19:50Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > It turns out that the problem was that the door opened inward. > j/k Sweet Jesus make up my dying bed, tell me you have a cite for that! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/48 "2013-12-12T22:22:39Z")
:eek: A photo on the NY Daily News link shows two walls with holes. Theres a photo of the door where she kicked it. She really trashed that bathroom. I can’t imagine explaining all that damage to my coworkers and boss. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/49 "2013-12-12T22:26:25Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Sweet Jesus make up my dying bed, tell me you have a cite for that! > 🙂 I think [this](http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Iq3SBMtM0Xk/Ua_UuXGEgGI/AAAAAAABHRM/HR1bebGC-RI/s600/54DT.jpeg) is the reference. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/50 "2013-12-12T23:03:08Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > The only place I’ve seen locks on the outside of the bathroom is in outdoor, public places like parks. They lock the doors when the park is closed. However, I don’t think this door was literally locked. From the article: > > She was able to open the door by accessing the handle from the outside. The door was not actually locked. Rather, it seems that the inner handle broke or got stuck. You mean to tell me you’ve never heard of a lock that is deactivated by turning the knob on one side of the door? Really? One side automatically unlocks when turned, while the other is locked as long as the button or wafer lock is activated. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/51 "2013-12-12T23:05:02Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > :eek: A photo on the NY Daily News link shows two walls with holes. Theres a photo of the door where she kicked it. She really trashed that bathroom. > > I can’t imagine explaining all that damage to my coworkers and boss. You’ve posted this multiple times now. I’m surprised you’re such a delicate flower that a little drywall damage just astounds you. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/52 "2013-12-12T23:09:20Z")
No I didn’t know about the second hole. The first article’s photo only showed one. I was simply pointing out the new link has a photo from a better angle. Also, just try hiring a contractor to fix that damage. I guarantee you’re looking at $500 minimum. I’ve done this work my entire life. You have cut the hole out square. Make 4 patches (to fix both sides of the wall), tape, mud, and paint. They probably will end up repainting the entire wall. It’s a two day job because they have to let the drywall mud dry before sanding & painting. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/53 "2013-12-12T23:15:02Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > …Quite frankly, if I were her employer, I’d be pissed at the way she panicked and dug a hole in the wall. If I were her employer I’d be bending over backwards to keep her from filing a lawsuit. And can easily imagine scenarios where this could’ve gotten a lot worse. If the building is basically closed over the weekend that would be the perfect time for facilities management do something like test the alarm system or do work that involves shutting of the water supply or electricity. Imagine how terrifying _that_ could be. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/54 "2013-12-12T23:21:47Z")
There appears to be another lock[http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-trapped-bathroom-claws-article-1.1545458](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/woman-trapped-bathroom-claws-article-1.1545458) over the handle. I wonder if all the doors are locked at closing and no one knew she was there. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/55 "2013-12-12T23:24:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > :eek: A photo on the NY Daily News link shows two walls with holes. Theres a photo of the door where she kicked it. She really trashed that bathroom. > > I can’t imagine explaining all that damage to my coworkers and boss. I would do exactly that were I in that situation. I’m not gonna sit around for possibly two+ days waiting for somebody to find me. Eights hours is well enough time that I’m going to start destroying stuff to get out of the situation. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/56 "2013-12-12T23:27:52Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > No I didn’t know about the second hole. The first article’s photo only showed one. I was simply pointing out the new link has a photo from a better angle. > > Also, just try hiring a contractor to fix that damage. I guarantee you’re looking at $500 minimum. I’ve done this work my entire life. You have cut the hole out square. Make 4 patches (to fix both sides of the wall), tape, mud, and paint. They probably will end up repainting the entire wall. It’s a two day job because they have to let the drywall mud dry before sanding & painting. I’m a contractor, and I could have that repair done for less than $200, and I’m being safe with that estimate. Any decent handyman would do the job. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/57 "2013-12-12T23:28:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > No I didn’t know about the second hole. The first article’s photo only showed one. I was simply pointing out the new link has a photo from a better angle. > > Also, just try hiring a contractor to fix that damage. I guarantee you’re looking at $500 minimum. I’ve done this work my entire life. You have cut the hole out square. Make 4 patches (to fix both sides of the wall), tape, mud, and paint. They probably will end up repainting the entire wall. It’s a two day job because they have to let the drywall mud dry before sanding & painting. I would gladly pay$500 to repair any damage if it got me out of there sooner. IMO, however, whoever designed the locking mechanism should pay for the repairs. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/58 "2013-12-12T23:31:53Z")
There’s no way I’d be hanging out in a locked room overnight. There’s a reason it’s a code violation. Hell yeah you’re gonna punch/kick your way through the wall if you can. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/59 "2013-12-12T23:46:50Z")
Shh! If we play our cards right we can charge them $500. 🙂 You’re right. A handyman would be a lot cheaper. I was assuming a commercial building like this would hire a contractor. He’ll probably get them to repaint the entire bathroom while he’s there. Maybe replace the door if its cracked. Install a lock that opens from the inside. etc. > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I’m a contractor, and I could have that repair done for less than $200, and I’m being safe with that estimate. Any decent handyman would do the job. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191/60 "2013-12-12T23:48:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Quite frankly, if I were her employer, I’d be pissed at the way she panicked and dug a hole in the wall. If I were her employer, I’d be seriously worried about a badass lawsuit for negligence. The security camera wasn’t manned, the door lock was apparently defective, and nobody checked the building. It’s times like this that make me wish I was a lawyer and this would be the dream case that would pay for my new yacht. Meanwhile, if I go to the bathroom at the office late at night, I’m taking my cellphone, a couple of snack bars, and my sledgehammer, just in case. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trapped-in-a-bathroom-did-she-over-react/676191.md?page=4)