Just Because You Can…

So on Sunday I was in my weekend working habitat, Panera Bread.  (The freak in the corner? Me.)  All was well, I was getting a lot of writing done, and then I popped into the bathroom (making sure to grab a raisin bread sample on my way — calorie-free when it's a sample).

Both stalls were full, with riotous laughter coming from one of them.  My mind reeled with all the zany hijinks that could occur when one is alone in a bathroom stall, but soon the laughter was followed by a string of giddy conversation, then more wild laughter.

I had to know.  I peeked through the space.

No, I didn't actually press my face to the slit between swinging door and dividing wall, but you know how it is.  It's an unwritten rule that we're all too polite to do it, but it's really not hard to see what's going on inside one of the stalls.  We usually do it when we're not positive if someone's really inside… or in this case, if we simply must know if someone is really chatting on their cell phone while taking a dump.

Someone was.

Believe me, I didn't let my eyes linger — I just looked long enough to confirm that indeed, the woman was copping a squat while holding a shiny red cell phone to her ear, chatting and laughing as if she were in a coffee shop.  Which, okay, she was, technically, but no matter how many meetings I've had at Panera, never once have I chosen to move the venue to the Ladies' Room, especially when I knew I'd be having a… shall we say… sound-effect heavy experience.

Which this woman was.

From the eye rolling and stares of the women ahead of me in line, I could tell the Potty-Talker had been at it for a very long time.  And from the tone of the conversation that echoed off the walls of the bathroom, she had clearly settled in for the long haul.

Really?  Really?

I mean, I know communication is so portable that we can talk from anywhere, but does that really mean we should?  Wouldn't this woman's conversational partner have been happier holding off on the conversation until after her intestinal distress was over?  Did her bowels really need to weigh in on every amusing anecdote to bring each story to life?

Really, I'm not a prude.  There's even one instance in which I'll bring the phone into the bathroom with me.  I did it once with my sister, and now it's a running joke between us.  But even then, it's not something I'd do in a public restroom!  I'm going to go out on a limb and say the only time it's acceptable to have a conversation while on any form of communal toilet is if you're at Club 33 in Disneyland, and need to share the thrill of that particularly impressive throne.  Otherwise, do your business and get out, then make your call.  Is that really so much to ask?

Here's my question for you — what behaviors have you seen in public that struck you as completely inappropriate?  Soooo looking forward to your answers on this one.

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day!

xo,

E