Bathroom Etiquette for Women
Everyone thinks about it, but no one talks about it. We seldom discuss the subject, yet experience almost daily the unpleasant trips to the women's bathroom due to nothing more than poor bathroom etiquette. Perhaps if there were a little time devoted to thinking of the next visitor, use of public bathrooms would not be such a hostile experience. Deciding what proper in the bathroom is not as difficult as you may think.
Other People Are Reading
-
The Toilet Paper
-
If it's empty next door, pass it under. A good place to begin is one of the most important things in this oft-unpleasant space. When you enter a stall and find an empty roll, the most natural response is the let the door swing and check the next one. If there is a roll, in you go. However, the proper thing to do once you are uncomfortably squatted inside and an unsuspecting neighbor closes the door next to you---obviously having more of an "emergency" than you did---is pull some off the roll and pass it under. It's just good manners. Clearly, you didn't want to be the one staring at the cardboard at flush time. Yes, even if you use your foot, you must flush, leaving no evidence behind.
If you accidentally made a spill, use some toilet paper to clean it. Take another glance back before exiting the stall to be sure that all of the toilet paper went down. Regardless of any unpleasant behaviors or odors, there is no need for visible evidence of your actions.
Hand Washing Thoughtfulness
-
You'll be shaking hands later. Can you clean them please? Proper and complete washing of the hands is essential to keep diseases and bacteria at bay once you return to your work area or shopping trip. What you may not think about is perhaps being helpful, if not a tiny bit suggestive, by pulling down the paper towel for the next woman who exits the stall and stands next to you. It is a subtle way to remind her to wash her hands and another random act of kindness that goes a long way. According to a study conducted by the Journal of Social Behavior and personality, having an observer present made it more likely that a person would wash her hands.
If you are a messy washer and splashed the counter, take another paper towel to wipe the area. Most women put their purses on the counter during hand washing. Few things are more annoying than lifting your purse and finding the bottom soaked through.
-
Counter Actions
-
Get your hairs out of the sink. While at the bathroom counter, it is okay to primp a little. All women want to look nice for the rest of the day. Be aware though, that if you choose to brush your hair, more than likely you will leave some behind. It is impolite to leave it in the sink for the next person to battle as it clings to her hands, slacks, and sleeves during her time at the counter.
While it is okay to freshen up a bit by performing a small touch up or hair brushing, don't be a mirror hog, unless you are completely alone in the ladies room. It is grossly impolite to stand there and have someone waiting to use the sink. At least move over to an area that has no sink or stand back where you can still see the mirror without being in the way.
Talking
-
No one wants to hear your conversation. Take it outside. The restroom is not a meeting place. Though you may have come in a group, keep the conversation to a minimum. If you are on the phone or receive a call, end it or do not take it, respectively. It is rude to others in the bathroom, and because some of the people who enter the bathroom are actually answering nature's call, talking is not exactly comfortable for others--let alone the unsuspecting person you are on the phone with. Keep the chatter to a minimum. Private matters are for the conference room.
Other Basics
-
Clean your nose in private. Most of what you need to remember about bathroom etiquette, you learned in kindergarten. They apply usually to the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Here are a few simple examples.
If someone has a dress in tucked in her panties or pantyhose, inform her. Remember, this could be you. The same goes for toilet paper hanging from a skirt or stuck to a shoe.
If you have to blow your nose, use the stall. You can use the mirror to check for remnants or to be sure you got the job done, but for the most part, you should blow your nose in a stall where you perform the rest of the noisy and private behaviors.
When you are checking to see if a stall is empty, use the "peek but don't push" rule, as suggested by "Women's Health", and simply look under the door for feet. It is a lot easier than pushing on a door with a broken lock and embarrassing a co-worker or a complete stranger as well as yourself.
Go easy on the perfume and hairspray. Others may have allergies or be sensitive to the smell. This rule does not apply if you are in an attended washroom where they provide such conveniences for you.
Finally, yet importantly, please do not write the name of the guy you are mad at, or anything else, on the wall. That includes his phone number.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bathroom image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com changing rolls of toilet paper image by Lena Grönwall from Fotolia.com wash your hands image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com woman brushing hair image by forca from Fotolia.com talking image by Tomasz Wojnarowicz from Fotolia.com young woman wiping nose image by forca from Fotolia.com
