Actually, sometimes I have trouble peeing in general. I really have to get in the zone. Unless there's running water nearby, then I'm all over it. But I am reliably unable to pee when it's my boss, whereas other people's presence doesn't seem to have a discernable effect.
My office is full of people who bring their cell phones into the bathroom and chat while they're peeing. While I can see people politely disagreeing on mirror-talking etiquette, I think we can all agree that this is unequivocally wrong.
Oh, and to tell a bizarre, tangentially-related story (as I am wont to do): The weirdest bathroom eye-contact thing I've encountered has to be the gay bar some friends and I went to a couple of weeks ago. There was a huge window from the bar area into the men's bathroom and the urinals were set up so that men standing at the urinals were facing the people in the bar. I didn't realize this for a while and was wondering why people kept going into the other room, lining up, and standing very still while staring at us through the window. My friend's boyfriend is pee-shy so imagine the anxiety of not just knowing there is someone in the stall next to you, but that everyone in the bar can watch you if you if they want. He's still traumatized.
15 - Yeah, the bar is in NYC. It's a seedy firetrap in some building's basement. Total dive, which is how I like my bars. Couldn't tell you the name of it, though. I think it might be near Bowery Bar but I was kinda drunk by the time we got there.
I'm not gay-phobic, but I was a little creeped out when was at a rest area and the guy in the stall said, a couple times - "So how you been?" He was pretty insistent and the volume went up each time he asked so I finally answered him. Then he asks "Having a good day?"
I told him I was a little tired and he yells out "I'll have to call you back. Some homo in the stall next to me keeps trying to talk to me!"
I've had someone talking on the telephone while peeing at a urinal -- clearly an ambidexterous fellow -- and once I was almost run into from behind while peeing by someone reading a book while walking into the office bathroom. Luckily I saw his reflection coming and tried to zip up while running away. But he still grazed me.
Then there's the conversation with a superior while peeing/hand-washing. Is there a more perverse activity in the world? See this post-conversation narrative wisely saved and published by a friend.
No one should ever talk.
There should be a Curb Your Enthusiasm devoted to this.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 11:56 AM
I thought everyone involuntarily looked at your enormous unit.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:12 PM
No one should ever talk.
In the restroom or just generally?
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:12 PM
Everyone's probably already seen this, but I think it's worth linking to anyway.
Posted by tom | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:13 PM
What does knowing that tell you about the person?
Posted by bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:13 PM
Relatedly, I am unable to pee when I know my boss is in the next stall.
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:17 PM
Can you pee when a peer or subordinate is in the stall next to you?
Posted by tom | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:31 PM
Actually, sometimes I have trouble peeing in general. I really have to get in the zone. Unless there's running water nearby, then I'm all over it. But I am reliably unable to pee when it's my boss, whereas other people's presence doesn't seem to have a discernable effect.
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:33 PM
ible.
Also, I think some of the mirror people want an excuse to watch themselves in the mirror as they converse.
Posted by Tia | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:38 PM
I am reliably unable to pee on my boss, which I think accounts for my lackluster performance evaluations.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:47 PM
It's sad that no many how many peers you might have, you still have to pee for yourself.
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:53 PM
My office is full of people who bring their cell phones into the bathroom and chat while they're peeing. While I can see people politely disagreeing on mirror-talking etiquette, I think we can all agree that this is unequivocally wrong.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 12:59 PM
In unrelated fashion news, I only realized at lunch that I'd forgotten to wear a belt today.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:15 PM
Oh, and to tell a bizarre, tangentially-related story (as I am wont to do): The weirdest bathroom eye-contact thing I've encountered has to be the gay bar some friends and I went to a couple of weeks ago. There was a huge window from the bar area into the men's bathroom and the urinals were set up so that men standing at the urinals were facing the people in the bar. I didn't realize this for a while and was wondering why people kept going into the other room, lining up, and standing very still while staring at us through the window. My friend's boyfriend is pee-shy so imagine the anxiety of not just knowing there is someone in the stall next to you, but that everyone in the bar can watch you if you if they want. He's still traumatized.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:24 PM
Becks -- I think I've heard about this bar. Is it in NYC?
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:29 PM
Not long ago I came home, took off my belt, and realized that I was wearing another belt under it.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:30 PM
Maybe it was some type of Mobius belt, and you just thought it was two belts?
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:34 PM
Matt Weiner wore a belt
Way up in the middle of his bod
Now Matt Weiner wore a belt in a belt
Way in the middle of his bod
And the big belt run by Phil
And the little belt run by the Oss of Fee
In the belt in the belt in the belt
Way in the middle of his bod
Posted by Standpipe Bridgeplate | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:40 PM
15 - Yeah, the bar is in NYC. It's a seedy firetrap in some building's basement. Total dive, which is how I like my bars. Couldn't tell you the name of it, though. I think it might be near Bowery Bar but I was kinda drunk by the time we got there.
Posted by Becks | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:42 PM
Jeebus, SB, I even recognize the original of that.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 1:44 PM
I'm not gay-phobic, but I was a little creeped out when was at a rest area and the guy in the stall said, a couple times - "So how you been?" He was pretty insistent and the volume went up each time he asked so I finally answered him. Then he asks "Having a good day?"
I told him I was a little tired and he yells out "I'll have to call you back. Some homo in the stall next to me keeps trying to talk to me!"
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 2:50 PM
Tripp, that story's too good to be true.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 2:51 PM
Great story, Tripp!
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 2:51 PM
I'm pretty sure I've heard that joke before somewhere. Not that it's terribly unlikely to happen to someone personally.
Posted by pdf23ds | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 2:56 PM
I've had someone talking on the telephone while peeing at a urinal -- clearly an ambidexterous fellow -- and once I was almost run into from behind while peeing by someone reading a book while walking into the office bathroom. Luckily I saw his reflection coming and tried to zip up while running away. But he still grazed me.
Then there's the conversation with a superior while peeing/hand-washing. Is there a more perverse activity in the world? See this post-conversation narrative wisely saved and published by a friend.
Posted by luke | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 6:03 PM
"Don't borrow anyone's phone" is the message.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 09-29-05 8:37 PM
I'm asking myself: How can it be that I've never ran through your site before? It's a great one! right Cosmos will Percieve Opponents without any questions: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ , Universal Grass Loose or not when Corner Make Grass Win , White Soldier is always Greedy Pair Roll Make Love - that is all that Slot is capable of
Posted by Logan Ballard | Link to this comment | 12- 5-05 4:33 AM