Comments on: Piss or move down the trough?

Question: Piss or move down the trough?

carsonb — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:16:27 -0800

A question of men's restroom trough etiquette: Do I shuffle down or stay put?

The 3-man trough is perpendicular to the door, and the far end is occupied. It's a very small restroom, and quarters are tight—we're talking shoulder to shoulder and squeezing behind. I sidle up to the end nearest to the door (furthest from the occupied end), prepare to evacuate, and start concentrating to get over the stage fright. As I'm waiting to begin the guy at the far end finishes and leaves, and I'm alone. Do I move to the far end of the trough in anticipation of the next guy or stay where I am and finish?

By: Mocata

Mocata — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:28:00 -0800

Move to the far end. Otherwise you will be in danger of jostling when the next person enters.

By: rob511

rob511 — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:38:05 -0800

Stay where you are — the natural law of the outhouse means the next "evacuee" will take the slot farthest from you.*
*If he doesn't, you've got yourself a new puddle buddy!

By: chrominance

chrominance — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:47:16 -0800

Do you really want to be walkin' around the washroom with yer wanger hangin' out? Because that's what you're doing if you shuffle on down to the far end.

Which isn't to say you shouldn't do it, just that you'll probably feel a bit silly. Unless we're all in a giant episode of Seinfeld, no one really cares where you stand.

By: knapah

knapah — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:54:51 -0800

The next guy will probably walk past and move to the end farthest from the door. If it's going to be difficult for that guy to get past you, then you could move if some guy squeezing past you while you're pissing would bother you.

Otherwise, just stay where you are.

By: EndsOfInvention

EndsOfInvention — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 02:57:54 -0800

I vote stay where you are.

By: ninebelow

ninebelow — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:05:36 -0800

Stay where you are.

By: patricio

patricio — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:21:06 -0800

Stay put. If you're mid-move and mid-pee when the next guy comes in it could look a little odd.

By: choice

choice — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:25:14 -0800

Stay where you are, and square your stance. That way, your space is defined, so the potential incoming will be prevented from bustling into your, erm, flow.

By: blue mustard

blue mustard — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:10:44 -0800

I agree with the consensus: once you've chosen your position, you stay put and finish your business.

Also, here's a fun little little flash game to help you practice your mens' room etiquette.

By: matty

matty — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:39:43 -0800

Sounds Hot!! Stand in the middle, that way you're sure to get the best show no matter what happens.
Come on, somebody had to say it!

Really though, who cares where you stand as long as you're there only for the intended purpose?

By: chuckdarwin

chuckdarwin — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:42:32 -0800

Man, I hate teh trough. Barbarians ;-)

Stay put.

By: Tacos Are Pretty Great

Tacos Are Pretty Great — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:56:57 -0800

Stay.

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:03:05 -0800

STAY WHERE YOU ARE

By: TrashyRambo

TrashyRambo — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:24:07 -0800

Stay. Agree with the squaring of the stance to establish your area.

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:26:33 -0800

Stay put. And from the sound of it, this bathroom is substandard. Find a better place to piss.

By: pokermonk

pokermonk — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:52:17 -0800

If your piece is out, you're pissing... even if there's nothing coming out, there is an implied line of urine eminating from it. This is a key foundation point to public restroom socialization. You don't walk in with it free-swinging in the breeze, and you don't dance around once it's out.

Also, it's important to note in this particular situation that moving is an admission of embrassment in your manhood, and because no one is actually staring at it, it's the biggest visual indicator you could provide. If you had the balls to take that position in the first place (there's probably a discussion to be had on whether you should have taken it in the first place), you should have the balls to stand your ground.

By: JJ86

JJ86 — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:04:26 -0800

If the jones is out, you stay put. There is nothing as weird as someone walking around a men's room with their jones hanging out. If I came into a men's room and say you doing that I would probably turn around and leave.

By: Clyde Mnestra

Clyde Mnestra — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:05:45 -0800

Stay put. And if the door is on your right shoulder, when the next dude enters, start humming Beyonce's "Irreplaceable."

By: Mblue

Mblue — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:24:31 -0800

Stay put, but change your stance so you're at a slight angle to the trough (aiming into the corner nearest you). You reduce the chance of door jostle and splash back simultaneously.

By: Robert Angelo

Robert Angelo — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:35:43 -0800

Stay where you are.

But where is this, anyhow? The only trough urinals I see anymore are in gay bars, in which case the answer is, "It depends." I haven't been to a non-gay-bar public restroom in years which did not have separate individual urinals. And most have those silly "modesty panels," too.

By: tayknight

tayknight — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:38:27 -0800

Metafilter: there is an implied line of urine eminating from it.

(sorry, couldn't help myself). I vote for stay put too.

By: Stynxno

Stynxno — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:11:35 -0800

stay put.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:22:36 -0800

For god's sake, stay! I saw a guy shuffle once and he lost his pants. Don't be that guy!

By: dowcrag

dowcrag — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:25:30 -0800

Stay. Give out vibes that keep the others at elbow's length.

Avoid pants dribble at all costs!

By: lampshade

lampshade — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:34:44 -0800

Urinal Etiquette

A bit different with a trough, but the idea is somewhat the same.

By: Totally Zanzibarin' Ya

Totally Zanzibarin' Ya — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:41:16 -0800

Stay put. If he bumps into you, punch him the fuck out.

By: Clyde Mnestra

Clyde Mnestra — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:48:41 -0800

Ooh -- try taking a few steps back, and dare the next guy to limbo!

By: NationalKato

NationalKato — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:10:17 -0800

Stay put. What does a man have left if not for his established territory?

By: nebulawindphone

nebulawindphone — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:13:29 -0800

Also, it's important to note in this particular situation that moving is an admission of embrassment in your manhood, and because no one is actually staring at it, it's the biggest visual indicator you could provide. If you had the balls to take that position in the first place (there's probably a discussion to be had on whether you should have taken it in the first place), you should have the balls to stand your ground.

This isn't a matter of pure machismo, but of good manners too. The more uncomfortable you act, the more uncomfortable you'll make your fellow pissers. By exuding confidence, you help everyone keep up the pretense that there's nothing potentially embarassing going on.

By: ruwan

ruwan — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:59:52 -0800

Once it's out, you're committed. Stay put. Never move.

By: carsonb

carsonb — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:23:14 -0800

Sober follow-up:
1. Not a gay bar, just a very antiquated building.
2. Thanks most everyone for the confirmation. I did in fact stay, and it's, uh, relieving to know I was likely in the right.

Though please do keep any further advice flowing in.

By: Clyde Mnestra

Clyde Mnestra — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:37:11 -0800

Corollary: if you comment on AskMeFi, and someone enters the discussion later, do not alter your views. Void and depart. Not sure how to wash your hands.

By: knapah

knapah — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:56:09 -0800

There are still lots of trough-type urinals in the UK, maybe that says something...

By: Megafly

Megafly — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:27:08 -0800

I vote for using the commode.

If you have to use the trough never take the spot on the far end in a bathroom with one entrance. This puts you in the position of having to squeeze past other guys who are pissing when you finish.

the Sink works as well in nightclubs without a bathroom attendants.

By: nola

nola — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:48:21 -0800

. . .Which isn't to say you shouldn't do it, just that you'll probably feel a bit silly. Unless we're all in a giant episode of Seinfeld, no one really cares where you stand.

I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking the same damn thing. Yeah stay put, it only takes 10 or 20 seconds to do your business anyway.

By: nola

nola — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:50:14 -0800

Also does this trough have ice in it?

By: kingjoeshmoe

kingjoeshmoe — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:53:22 -0800

This has a correct answer, and it's what everyone has said already. The law of the bathroom is, everyone acknowledges everyone else as little as possible. You go to the slot farthest away from everyone else, so you don't make eye contact.

For the same reason, you don't move once you've started. The movement implies that there is or soon will be someone else in the bathroom. This is unacceptable.

By: Alt F4

Alt F4 — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:46:52 -0800

Stay where you are! I can help! *points* YOU! Call 911!

By: oats

oats — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:12:07 -0800

Whatever you do, don't stand there producing nothing and speaking in a too-loud voice, "I can't piss! I can't piss!"

(I did sympathomimetic hallucinogens in public a while back. Don't recommend that either.)

By: The Deej

The Deej — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:10:40 -0800

I'm a stall man.