Wednesday, September 18, 2013

My Thoughts on.... Bathrooms

Don't ask me why this has been a constant thing on my mind but I find myself thinking about it every time I go in a bathroom so I wanted to share:

Bathrooms are just set up so that it makes relieving yourself awkward, I think this for a couple reason, mostly having to do with noise.
1. Why are bathrooms made in a way that echoes so much? No one wants to hear what is happening in the bathroom, whether it's a public or private I feel like anyone in the near vicinity can hear what is going on in there. That's gross. And awkward for everyone involved. My bathroom at work is a fairly large, open room with a toilet in the corner and a sink in the other corner, every single noise echoes. I'm pretty sure that anyone walking down the hall can hear exactly what's going on in there. I know that padded walls would be kinda gross, tile is much more sanitary and easier to clean but it'd be nice to have something to muffle the sound.



2. Why are bathroom walls so thin? I think that bathrooms should be at least double insulated. Seriously. How many bathrooms in houses are there that are just off the kitchen so anyone in the kitchen can hear a guy peeing? I don't mind the location as much because quick access is a good thing but it'd be nice if you didn't have to hear it when you're eating dinner. Or when you're going to the bathroom after your roommate already goes to bed and you know that she can hear you because her head is right next to the bathroom wall. If you can't poop comfortably in your own apartment, where can you? (And yes, I do the "turn on the fan" trick, it helps but it's still weird.)

3. I think that all public bathrooms should be required to play some kinda soft music. Elevator music would be perfectly fine. This would seriously increase the comfort of anyone who is using the toilet. Especially if there is only one other person in the entire room. That's what elevator music is for, right? Breaking up awkward silences? Well bathrooms have the awkward silence accompanied by awkward noises... It just seems like such a simple but effective solution to this problem.