# Weird bathroom phobias? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 14, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476 "2010-05-14T20:56:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/41 "2010-05-15T18:48:11Z")
I never understood wiping while sitting. So you wipe toward the front?! You get your hand _closer_ to the the toilet?! Eww ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/42 "2010-05-15T19:12:01Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > In response to LSLGuy: I have deep-seated psychological issues with shitting. Sorry. I have tried to get over them my whole life, but it hasn’t helped much. I probably sounded more insensitive than I really am. I’m truly sorry that something your parents did or said when you were a toddler has put this burden on you for the rest of your life. From a public mental health perspective I’m all for getting these phobias out in the open and exposing them as irrational phobias and not fact-based legitimate concerns so fewer parents will teach their kids to be handicapped by them. It might be too late for you, but there’s always hope for the future. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/43 "2010-05-15T19:16:13Z")
My only bathroom phobia is bringing anything food related into a public bathroom. I won’t do it. I see people all the time rinsing out their coffee mugs in the sink and such, but I find that disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/44 "2010-05-15T19:17:57Z")
> [@Siddhartha\_Vicious](#): > > If I’m dumping, I can’t just reach down between my legs while sitting on the can and wipe. Which is fine, because no one does that. Instead one lifts one cheek off the seat and reaches behind them, just as you people who stand seem to. The act of lifting the cheek also spreads them both apart, which is why _we_ can’t understand why you’d stand. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/45 "2010-05-15T19:22:00Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > I never understood wiping while sitting. > > So you wipe toward the front?! > > You get your hand _closer_ to the the toilet?! > > Eww No, why would you do that? You reach around behind you and wipe, you know, up and out. ---
**Author:** ![FrancisCastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b4bc9f/32.png) [@FrancisCastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrancisCastle)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/46 "2010-05-15T19:28:30Z")
I work at a place where there are only 2 other females. This makes it easy for me to make sure neither of them will be in the bathroom at the same time I am. I also doubt the cleanliness of all public bathrooms…I always hover. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/47 "2010-05-15T19:28:34Z")
(Actually, I have a bidet attachment on my toilet, so I don’t actually wipe, I just blot dry. But I reach behind to do it, not between my legs. :)) ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/48 "2010-05-15T20:07:53Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > When it comes to taking a leak, I follow the buffer rule with the urinals. For #2, my phobia is public restrooms period. Unless it’s an emergency, I’m not sitting down on a public toilet. I’ll wait 'til I get home, TYVM. > [@FrancisCastle](#): > > I work at a place where there are only 2 other females. This makes it easy for me to make sure neither of them will be in the bathroom at the same time I am. I also doubt the cleanliness of all public bathrooms…I always hover. I must admit that I have a semi-homicidal hatred for people who are afraid of sitting on the toilet seat, especially the hovering women. Even if you wipe up afterward, you’re still peeing on the seat or floor more often than not, which is really inconsiderate to every other person who has to use the bathroom, especially the cleaning staff. Just sit on the fucking seat and quit being a ninny. That said, I have a difficult time starting urine flow if there are people chatting in the same room, but it doesn’t completely prevent me from using the bathroom when others are present. I don’t, however, like to shit while someone is in the same stall-room with me; it’s awkward at best. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/49 "2010-05-15T20:30:38Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Who are all you socially stunted weirdos who are willing to drop a deuce in public bathrooms? I mean, sure, if it’s an emergency, do what you need to do. But you can’t go for an eight-hour workday or go out drinking without needing to take a crap? You’re stinking up the place and making everyone else uncomfortable. And if you absolutely _must_, do what you can to find a quiet bathroom and wait until it’s empty. > > Also, when I was in college, there were plenty of people who’d wander into the communal bathroom (shared by 8-10 girls) in bare feet. Or just in socks. The very thought of it makes me cringe. Same for locker rooms, of course, but also hotel rooms. Sometimes … everybody poops. No matter how shy your bowels sometimes you just can’t fight them. Even if all that happens is some gas expulsion there are just going to be times when you have no choice in the matter and when the urgent need strikes it’s best to obey the bowels lest you experience even greater embarrassment than stinking up a bathroom. Unfortunately, we can’t all be bathroom silent but deadly bathroom Ninjas. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/50 "2010-05-15T22:28:59Z")
> [@nashiitashii](#): > > I must admit that I have a semi-homicidal hatred for people who are afraid of sitting on the toilet seat, especially the hovering women. Have you ever seen a public mens’ room? Sure, at a nice restaurant or office building they’re fine, and kept clean. In places I tend to use them - gas stations, or my university, for instance - I’m not touching that toilet. ---
**Author:** ![IaMoDiNaRy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IaMoDiNaRy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IaMoDiNaRy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/51 "2010-05-16T02:11:05Z")
> [@IaMoDiNaRy](#): > > The whole time I was shopping, I kept looking at everyone’s shoes to see if they were the sicko that had occupied the stall next to me. > [@panache45](#): > > Oh, and \*\*\*that’s \*\*\*not sick? :D:D:D I think I was sort of afraid of her! The sounds she was making in that bathroom stall didn’t sound human! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/52 "2010-05-16T06:48:47Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Who are all you socially stunted weirdos who are willing to drop a deuce in public bathrooms? I mean, sure, if it’s an emergency, do what you need to do. But you can’t go for an eight-hour workday or go out drinking without needing to take a crap? You’re stinking up the place and making everyone else uncomfortable. And if you absolutely _must_, do what you can to find a quiet bathroom and wait until it’s empty. So, you’re chiding people for using a restroom as a restroom? You expect people to hold their bowels through an 8-hour workday so you don’t have to smell the results of using a restroom for what it was built for?? ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/53 "2010-05-16T11:27:41Z")
> [@nashiitashii](#): > > I must admit that I have a semi-homicidal hatred for people who are afraid of sitting on the toilet seat, especially the hovering women. Even if you wipe up afterward, you’re still peeing on the seat or floor more often than not, which is really inconsiderate to every other person who has to use the bathroom, especially the cleaning staff. Just sit on the fucking seat and quit being a ninny. > That said, I have a difficult time starting urine flow if there are people chatting in the same room, but it doesn’t completely prevent me from using the bathroom when others are present. I don’t, however, like to shit while someone is in the same stall-room with me; it’s awkward at best. My bathroom at work has two urinals and one stall. I very often find smudges on the toilet seat, smudges I assume are from fecal matter. My guess is someone hits the seat with soiled toilet paper while throwing it in the bowl(?). Just this week I twice found the seat covered in dried pee. I am so sick of having to spray the damn thing down with Lysol and wipe it dry, only then to put down a toilet paper barrier for my ass. So I guess I can agree with you a bit on this. ---
**Author:** ![NBYodo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9a28c/32.png) [@NBYodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NBYodo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/54 "2010-05-16T15:05:35Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I don’t really have any BR phobias, but I am a bit of a public bathroom, um, aficionado, for lack of a better term. There’s something oddly fascinating to me about comparing the layout/decor/cleanliness/upkeep of public bathrooms. For instance I always go into the bathroom of a restaurant, bar, airport or other public establishment even if I don’t have to go, just to check it out and compare to other places. I note unique or rare features like floor-to-ceiling stalls(no gap at top and bottom), interesting fixtures(the “waterfall” urinal trough), urinal heights(I’ve only encountered a single place with urinals at 3 different heights), etc. I’m seriously considering writing a book about it… I used to keep a +/- running total of if the men’s washroom was closer to the public area than the women’s. e.g. this bar’s men’s washroom is closer, then +1 to my running total. I think after a year the men’s were losing by 10 or so… ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/55 "2010-05-16T17:22:30Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > People that use cloth diapers often rinse them in the toilet to remove the semi-solid materials. They do it in the toilet so they can just flush the waste away. Ahhhhhhh, thank you! I was picturing one of those disposable ones and I just couldn’t see how that made any sense at all! ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/56 "2010-05-16T17:32:36Z")
> [@Mr Bus Guy](#): > > You know how some bars fill the urinals with ice? I’ve totally stopped grabbing a handful to replenish the ice in my drink. > > Tastes funny. [Don’t wash your hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ctK94EkHU) with them either! > [@GESancMan](#): > > > [@nashiitashii](#): > > > > I must admit that I have a semi-homicidal hatred for people who are afraid of sitting on the toilet seat, especially the hovering women. > > Have you ever seen a public mens’ room? Sure, at a nice restaurant or office building they’re fine, and kept clean. In places I tend to use them - gas stations, or my university, for instance - I’m not touching that toilet. I don’t think hovering women are much of a problem in men’s rooms. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/57 "2010-05-16T18:26:33Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I don’t think hovering women are much of a problem in men’s rooms. 😃 I didn’t think so either, but **nashiitashii** was quoting me when she wrote that… :dubious: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/58 "2010-05-17T13:48:16Z")
No real phobias here, but I had silent bathrooms. For some reason, I’d like a little background noise so I don’t have to listen to the grunts and splashes. Where I work, the office is infuriatingly noisy and distracting. Yet they manage to have a tomb-like bathroom. I swear, it’s so quiet you can hear a sphincter stretch. ---
**Author:** ![sweety220](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@sweety220](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweety220)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/59 "2016-06-24T14:51:28Z")
I dont know why, but I just try to avoid the first stalls in public bathrooms. ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476/60 "2016-06-24T15:33:22Z")
For a very long time in my life, I would resolutely refuse to use a public toilet for my bowel movements, a practice that caused me extreme distress on days the cafeteria at school served chili. After carefully examining the illogic of this stance, I can now (reluctantly) eliminate in a public restroom. BTW, my definition of “public restroom” is one which anyone can use: restaurants, gas stations, and (g-d forbid!) rest stops. The restrooms where i work, or in motels/hotels is NOT public. How’s that for illogic? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-bathroom-phobias/539476.md?page=4)