Summary

The author expresses irritation at the common practice of women talking on the phone in public washrooms and describes her immature yet humorous method of dealing with this pet peeve.

Abstract

The article "Why Do Women Talk on the Phone in Public Washrooms?" delves into the author's annoyance with the social faux pas of conversing on the phone while using a public restroom. Despite being accustomed to various odd behaviors in such spaces, the author finds the act of phone conversations during private moments particularly bothersome. She questions the necessity of these discussions, given that they are rarely urgent, and she prefers to call people back or wait until she's finished in the washroom. To cope with overhearing these conversations, the author admits to excessively flushing toilets to disrupt the callers, acknowledging the pettiness of her response. She advocates for consideration and privacy, suggesting that these conversations should be postponed. The article concludes with the author inviting readers to share their experiences and offers a link to another related story.

Opinions

The author is generally unfazed by unconventional behaviors in public washrooms but is particularly irked by phone conversations happening in the stalls.
She believes that phone calls, especially non-urgent ones, should be held outside of the public washroom to maintain privacy and courtesy.
The author's method of dealing with her pet peeve is to flush toilets repeatedly, creating a disturbance for those talking on the phone.
She does not condone her own behavior, recognizing it as immature, but sees it as a response to the inconsiderate actions of others.
The author draws a distinction between close relationships, where bathroom noises might be more acceptable during phone calls, and the general public, where such sharing is inappropriate.
She encourages readers to consider the impact of their actions on others in shared spaces and to refrain from engaging in phone conversations in public washrooms.

Why Do Women Talk on the Phone in Public Washrooms?

A pet peeve and how I handle it in a not-very-mature way.

I generally don't care what people do in public washrooms.

I've seen all manner of strange things both inside and outside public washrooms.

From nail clipping to washing themselves while standing in their underwear at the sink.

I’ve seen full-on makeout sessions and heard what I can only assume was drunken, sloppy sex happening in the stall beside me.

I’ve refreshed my makeup beside drag queens who put my attempts at womanhood to shame (not really, they were gorgeous!).

It's happened enough that I barely even register it anymore.

The public washroom has been a place of gossip and heartache, solace and reprieve. Plus, it’s a place to do your private business, away from whatever is going on outside the loo.

I've consoled more people than I can count in public bathrooms. Seems to be the place that people break down.

And I don’t mind when women do any of these things. They are away from the public, which is where they feel most comfortable.

But the one thing that really bothers me that many women seem to do in public bathrooms is talk on the phone while they're in the stalls.

Why? Why can't you call a person back while you tinkle?

It's something that's never occurred to me to do. I will always call the person back or hold it until I can get off the phone. I don't need the person on the other end to hear all my business.

But that doesn't seem to stop a lot of other people. And it's not life-threatening conversations that are happening. It's minutiae, little conversations that could — and should — easily be put on hold for bathroom breaks.

So, here's my petty thing I do whenever I hear someone talking on the phone in the public washroom: I start flushing. Not just once. Not just twice. But flushing like my life depends on it.

I know how immature and stupid it is. But it's even stupider to talk on the phone while you're in the toilet. And in a public toilet at that.

I just want the other person to know that while they're talking on the phone, the person on my end doesn't even give them the courtesy of sparing them having to hear toilets and other bodily functions.

Don’t get me wrong. My best friend has heard me pee so frequently that she may be able to tell my tinkle from someone else’s. But that is definitely a thing I only do at home. And it’s usually because I’ve been talking to her for a long time and I really have to go.

Oh, the joys of a tiny bladder.

But if I have to do any other business, like number two or other ablutions, then I’ll freaking call her back.

Nothing is so important that she needs to hear it all.

So my call to arms here is to call the person back if you’re using a public toilet. Or suffer the wrath of my insistent and somewhat disturbing flushing like a maniac trying to make sure the imaginary turd goes down.

Because as far as I’m concerned, the turd is having to hear your inane conversation while I’m trying to pee in peace.

I’m curious: does this happen in men’s washrooms, as well? Do you have to overhear conversations while you’re taking a slash? Or are you spared the vocal barrage while in the loo?

Want more toilet talk? Here’s a story about questioning everything I thought I knew about how men pee:

Everything I Thought I Knew About How Men Pee Is a Lie

Not that I was an expert before.

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