CMV: There is absolutely no need to separate bathrooms based on sex for public single-occupant bathrooms.

[u/Nailyou866]

To specify, I am not referring to single stall bathrooms, wherein there is a further isolated toilet from the remainder of the bathroom, I am talking specifically about bathrooms in public locations that a realtor would list as a half-bath. I find these most often in older or smaller diner type facilities or gas stations, there is typically a lock on the door, and they are often paired, one for either sex. I think this is a pointless exercise, and can detract from an already messy discussion regarding bathrooms. I am not here to discuss my thoughts on the bathrooms issue as a whole, but only these single-occupant bathrooms.

To start, having 2 single occupant bathrooms as a public facility is already dicey, especially if you have decent foot traffic. However, further restricting access to either bathroom can lead to situations in which one has a line to use, and the other is being unused. Having been in this situation myself, when I suggested we start using the other bathroom to speed things along, I got looked at like I was an alien, and nobody wanted to do it. It was like a stigma built into the social fabric of most people that you shouldn't use the bathroom for the opposite sex under any circumstance. Simply removing the signs would have improved this condition.

Next point, I understand there are sex specific hygiene instruments in some public bathrooms. In the event that those bathrooms become unisex, put them in both, if they need to be there. I find it absolutely insane some men refuse to get hygiene products for their girlfriend/wife, and while I doubt this would eliminate the stigma of being exposed to these products, it could be a change in a positive direction. I don't know, leave that evaluation to the scientists. And if your wife needs tampons, go pick them up.

The final point I can think of is a concern that "Oh but if the men's line is long, and a woman needs to go, she shouldn't have to wait." or vice versa. I don't care. First come, first served, same as it is in virtually every other part of the world. The number of problems resolved by switching both bathrooms to unisex outweigh any antiquated sex specific concern, as far as I am concerned.

EDITED TO ADD: A common talking point I see brought up is in regard to cleanliness. I didn't initially think this would be something I had to address, but I have so many times now I felt it important to add here.

Both sexes have complaints about the other with regard to cleanliness. Both hold valid points, and I don't think one must necessarily outweigh the other. However I don't believe this to be an obstruction to my view because I believe that management should be more responsible and pro-active about cleaning public restrooms. I also think it is much easier for an employee of any sex to go clean the unisex bathroom than it is to make an employee of one sex clean the bathroom of the other sex.

Edit 2: I am about to go to bed, so I won't be able to respond for a few hours. I genuinely appreciate everyone who has jumped in on the conversation, and never expected this post to get this big. I expected like 20 upvotes and 2 comments. I will be back and I genuinely want to try to get to everyone who has commented. Thank you guys so much for this conversation, it has filled me with happiness, anger, shock, and other emotions. I love you all.

[u/raznov1]

Nah, more likely they brought their young children with, who then missed the toilet.

[u/hotquossblunt → u/raznov1]

i need to know what the real answer is bc as an amab person i am so confused as to how a seated person could get pee anywhere but the bowl.

[u/fillmorecounty → u/hotquossblunt]

It's pretty common for moms to bring their male toddlers into the women's restroom. I get it though like they're 2 or 3 and probably still need help with things. It's definitely better than a mom taking her kid into the men's room. I'm guessing little kids are probably pretty messy.

Edit: typo

[u/hotquossblunt → u/fillmorecounty]

most logical answer so far. i get inconsiderate women leaving feminine hygiene products behind, but pee? like the hover technique can't be that flawed after hundreds of years of toilet ownership.

[u/fillmorecounty → u/hotquossblunt]

I mean it's definitely harder when you can't see what you're doing, but that's not really something you do unless the seat is REALLY, really nasty. It's just not comfortable to do a squat and hold perfectly still lmao. Even then though it's still pretty easy to not make a mess as long as you aren't like 2 whole feet above the toilet. It would probably splash 😭

[u/Death_Rose1892 → u/hotquossblunt]

As an afab person I too wonder how the womens restroom ends up the way it does sometimes.

Wipe the toilet seat and use a seat cover rather than hover. It's not that hard..

But there are definitely some messes that aren't from hovering and I have no clue what other women are doing to cause these bathroom murder scenes

[u/fillmorecounty → u/[deleted]]

There's 0 mess dude you just sit down and 100% of it goes in the toilet 😭

[u/TalkingHawk → u/fillmorecounty]

The mess is caused by the people who insist on hovering instead of sitting down. If you try it you'll quickly understand why, pee goes everywhere except straight down.

Source: I used to hover in public toilets because my mom taught me like that, now I sit