Why Don’t They Flush?

As per Nil’s recommendation, I shall keep this post short, so as to avoid it becoming overly weird. So, let’s get to it:

In public restrooms, why do so many people not flush? It takes a mere second to do; it doesn’t cause you any pain to do it. And, it’s polite – no one wants to come in to a restroom to see someone else’s.. well, whatever. Furthermore, I would hope such an act would be deeply ingrained in most people – use the restroom, flush when done. But it would seem that’s not the case. In all my visits to the university restrooms over the past few years, I think I’ve seen two or three “all flushed” restrooms.

I initially thought it might just be an American thing, but Nils confirmed that it goes on in his region of Europe, too. Maybe it’s just a guy thing, then. Would any of the ladies reading like to chime in? Are your restrooms typically nice and clean, or do some women routinely refuse to flush, too?

Hmm… nope. Didn’t work. I kept it short, and that was still pretty peculiar.

Comments 10

  1. Oli wrote:

    Pubs, clubs and bars here (in England) are the worst for this and related offences.

    Not flushing is one thing… Missing the target is another. I’ve been to places — fairly nice places — where the toilets could be easily be likened to swamps. Tip-toeing around puddles (and/or piles) of various bodily excrement, trying my hardest to avoid looking at mysterious smears on walls, just trying to get a few seconds of sweet relief.

    I’ll admit, I’m sometimes tempted to unzip in the door and run in, spinning. Some of these places would have benefited from the rinse-down. The main thing holding me back in the fear I’ll get dizzy, fall over and end up contracting some super-bug that drinks disinfectant for bets.

    And toilet paper. Everywhere. Why?! If you pull out too much, there’s a bowl right underneath you that will accomodate it… But nooo. How silly am I? Of course all over the floor is a much better place. I’m sure that won’t get stuck on anybody’s shoes.

    Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 9:27 am
  2. Nils Geylen wrote:

    I tried adding to this, but failed… Every possible comment had layer upon layer of innuendo all over it.

    You’re right, it’s just… peculiar.

    Oh, okay, just the one then: glad you got this out of your system…

    Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 12:19 pm
  3. Joshua J. Slone wrote:

    I suppose there are some germophobes who would prefer not to touch the handle, but if their solution is leaving excrement for the next person they’re not exactly being part of the solution.

    Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 12:29 pm
  4. Fig wrote:

    I’m not a “post person” but it is ingrained in me to flush. No matter where I am….

    I must say, though, that most females seem to flush. It’s not often that I come into a public restroom and find an unflushed treasure waiting for me in the throne. The worst restrooms seem to be those in night clubs, from what I’ve seen. Perhaps we Canadians are just more polite all around.

    My biggest pet peeve about public restrooms has to be the thin toilet paper that rips after one square. I say, what is up with that???

    Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 5:55 pm
  5. Fig wrote:

    And, I must quote

    “Furthermore, I would hope such an act would be deeply ingrained in post people – use the restroom, flush when done.”

    Because eventually my post person statement will look out of place.

    You’re welcome.

    Posted 24 Nov 2008 at 5:57 pm
  6. Josh wrote:

    Oli: Yeah, I don’t really get the toilet paper thing. I’ve seen it in some peculiar places, like heaps of it piled in the corner. Odd.

    Nils: Yes indeed – out of my system. :) No pun intended, of course, considering the topic at hand.

    Slone: I’m still betting on sheer laziness.

    Fig: While I see both, unflushed urinals seem to be more common than unflushed toilets. Apparently many males seem to think that the next guy wants to inspect his “golden treasure” – or they’re just slobs. :)

    Yes, the ultra useless toilet paper found in most public restrooms sucks.

    And thanks for quoting my mistake – when I first read your remark regarding “post person,” I had no idea what you were talking about.

    Posted 25 Nov 2008 at 9:03 am
  7. Zeitlos wrote:

    You should try to take a look at the ladies restroom. You’ll see things you haven’t seen in your worst nightmare. Even in the departement where I work there are female colleagues who don’t bother to aim at the toilet bowl…

    Posted 27 Nov 2008 at 3:57 pm
  8. Josh wrote:

    Zeitlos: How do you *not* aim at the toilet bowl when you’re sitting on it? o.O

    Posted 04 Dec 2008 at 9:00 am
  9. Zeitlos wrote:

    How? Simple answer: By not sitting on it.

    Posted 05 Dec 2008 at 1:39 pm
  10. Josh wrote:

    Okay, perhaps I didn’t want to know that.

    Posted 05 Dec 2008 at 10:09 pm

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