Posted by Rick on October 21, 2002, at 15:27:41
More often than I wish, I’ll enter the stall in the restroom at my office or elsewhere,
and find that that the previous user did not flush away the solids (or even attempt to). I’ve never understood this. Obviously, flushing takes essentially zero effort. Is there some kind of psychology involved here?Does it somehow connote flushing away a part of one’s soul to some people? Is there some relation to doubts about self-worth or longevity or personal substance to the point that the person just can’t bear to “flush part of themselves away”? Or perhaps they feel they’re leaving a symbol of how they feel about themselves? Are some people embarrassed by the flushing noise? Or perhaps just the opposite…it’s an indication of how “everything about me is too good to flush away…and others need to know”? Or perhaps a way of passively (I GUESS it’s passive) expressing anger and frustration by creating an unpleasant experience for others without fear of repercussion? A way to thumb your nose (and make others hold theirs), and get away with it?
I just, just don’t get it. It can’t often be a matter of just forgetting. And it’s obviously not just kids (e.g., there are rarely kids in my office building).
If there is anyone out there who does this (and I’d find it hard to believe there isn’t), can you explain why you won’t flush?
This isn’t an off-topic rant. I really have long wondered what the psychology is here.
Finally, I’m curious as to the extent that women have to deal with this situation. I’d say it happens at least once every 7-10 times I walk into a restroom stall. As you might guess, it just happened a few minutes ago.
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:1358
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020829/msgs/1358.html