Voolavex

Let’s Pee in Public Toilets Like Adults May 13, 2016

Let’s go to the public toilet.  Right now and while you are doing your business – think about public toilets you have  used in your lifetime.  My mother used to line the seat with toilet paper.  Then seat covers.  We used the stall and locked the door, we flushed, washed outr hands and kept on going.  In school we used the stall, tried not to hit the seat while squatting on tiptoes.  Nice people flushed. Some people got caught smoking (that was then) and people said Pee-ewww (or worse) if it smelled.  Some schools had cases (seriously) and some called it the basement, the bathroom, the girl’s room but we all went and we all used it.  I don’t know much about urinals.  Actually I think it’s kind of odd to pee standing next to another person – but I have been in places where there were no doors and that took getting used to. But by and large the idea is to get in and out – relieved – as quickly as possible.  I have peed standing up in Paris pissoirs.  At the British Museum I peed and used toilet paper marked “Property of British Museum”.  It was so stiff and waxy one could imagine writing the Magna Carta on it.  Somewhere I kept a clean sheet as a souvenir.  I stole it.

My family owned a restaurant in a resort town and it had only one rest room and was called the rest room.  No one complained.  I have used the men’s room when I hadda hadda go because the women’s line was too long.  I hadda go – gender considerations were not an issue.  And now we are  in the throes of a controversy about transgender and restrooms.  What is the matter with us?  It is my assumption that transgender individuals have the same needs  as others.  They are humans and peeing and pooping are something we all do.  Some trans folks have full trans surgeries and thus it is no ones business which bathroom they use publicly nor should it be an issue. (is it?  maybe it is).  Others who are in the process  – dressing to gender identity, don’t wear signs saying – “hey I am trans and still need to pee – am I ALLOWED to do it here.  Why would they?  And every public restroom does have a stall or two.  Some people of all genders don’t like to be watched while in the toilet.  Husbands and wives included (fact). So my question is:  what’s the big deal?  If you have a penis and wear a dress, why not go to the ladies room and close the stall door.  If you have a vagina and dress as a male, why not go to the men’s room and use a stall.  I reckon peeing at a urinal without a penis is messy and silly anyway. But anyone can use a stall.  If you are a trans person and announce your genital business in the peeing or pooping process, then I would say you are probably inviting issues to arise.  But I can see no reason for the brouhaha.  I have never been asked about my gender in a rest room.  And asking a person that question strikes me as rude, nasty, looking for a fight or just plain stupid. And reveals a bigotry that is even uglier.

I applaud and support anyone who has gender confusion and moves to resolve this personal matter.  If those folks speak of it – then I am listening and I am happy they have the confidence and self-esteem to do so.  But it  is NONE of my business.  And it certainly is no one’s business what anyone uses to void when in a public toilet with a closed door.

Why are we suddenly the Piss Police?  What is the severe preoccupation with genital matters in this country.  Other countries are not where I live.  A public toilet is a public toilet.  And segregating humans who have to go by personal choices or gender issues (or color – remember Jim Crow – who hadda go too?).  And I suppose I would add – if women all sat at a troughs and peed – like men do at urinals (Ick) – it wouldn’t have lasted long anyway. Attire dictated certain customs.  Little girls practice peeing standing up, I know (I did) but it is messy and a few tries quickly ends the experimenting.

Using the rest room should not be political.  My suggestion is if you are in a place where this controversy is ongoing or you may go to toilet jail,  do it on the floor outside the restroom.  If the new arbiters of human functions don’t like it – then they should realize they need to cleanup their act or keep their legs crossed.

But here is a reminder to everyone who uses the toilet – at home or in public don’t forget to flush and  please wash your hands.