I recently watched a hilarious (as always) episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David uses the handicapped stall. As he walks out, a man in a wheelchair yells at him for using it and tells him that he's supposed to wait. It's described as "bathroom etiquette."
Who teaches this bathroom etiquette? Is it universal? Has anyone ever even SEEN a handicapped person using one of these stalls?
I pretty much ALWAYS use the handicapped stall. Does this make me a bad person? I do have a handicap. It's called claustrophobia and a fear of small toilets.
Feedback?
2006-10-20 20:21:33 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Hello Red,
Unless there is a handicapped person waiting to use that stall at that very moment, of course you may use that one! A larger stall does not mean nobody else may ever use it, especially if there is a line of people waiting to use the facilities. In fact, it would be downright silly to have a line of people waiting to go when there is a perfectly good stall available there empty.
I have found that the handicapped stalls are not only roomier, the toilet is higher up, the toilet paper is hanging higher on the wall, & it's generally cleaner than the other ones. When I need to change clothing, it's very convenient to be able to move around in there. Many larger people or the elderly find that space much more comfortable too. Not only that, many establishments only offer a baby diaper changing station in the larger bathroom stall. I've also seen mothers take small children in there & I see nothing wrong with that. I don't believe handicapped people would have a problem with that either. The movie you saw must have been a comedy.
Rest assured, there are no "toilet police" after you. There are no laws against doing so. This is far different from parking your car in a handicapped parking spot in a parking lot, which would be frowned upon by the police. So relax, you are not a bad person either. Use it all you want, even if the other stalls are empty.
P.S. In a perfect world, ALL of the stalls would be roomier. Now if they would just install a few of those larger stalls on airplanes!
2006-10-20 20:26:32 · answer #1 · answered by julie j 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Without reading anyone else's comments, I'm answering... sweetie, I use it all the time. I enjoy the extra space, and besides, I've rarely seen a bathroom that packed to which I had to relinquish the opportunity. Now handicapped parking is different, I don't do that, cause of laws against it, plus I can drag my lazy butt inside a store, and walk the extra distance. I'd do a double take in the bathroom line, and head straight in, with no reservations, about using that stall. Plus people with children use it all the time, multiple people having to go potty! Anyone making that big of a deal is only deflecting pity upon themselves, and besides, being handicap doesn't mean you can't have a reasonable/rational thought process about a situation.. it's not fair to assume that anyone in a wheel chair would be offended by you doing so. If you're bad, then I'm evil... lol.. ~Be well!
2006-10-21 05:33:52 · answer #2 · answered by Manatee 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Personally, I will use a handicapped stall if I need to. It's not illegal, like using a handicapped parking space.
If there is a regular stall available and it's not filthy, i will use that. If the only one available is the handicapped one, and there isnt a handcapped person who needs it(which truthfully, i have never seen a handicapped person waiting to use one), then I will use it.
2006-10-21 17:41:21 · answer #3 · answered by collarncuffsboy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there is a handicapped stall available - I use it. To me, even if someone came by to use it - I'll be done in less than 1 minute - No harm done. Yes, I've seen handicapped people using it.
It's not law, like a parking spot, that that using it will draw a fine. Its still considered a convenience. Weird that something that is necessary would be a convenience...
2006-10-21 13:49:02 · answer #4 · answered by firehorsetwo 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I also prefer to use the handicap stall because it's bigger. I have NEVER encountered a handicap person waiting for it....on the other hand, perhaps it IS bad bathroom etiquette...oh, well, what the hell!
2006-10-21 03:33:49 · answer #5 · answered by voycinwilderness 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the ideal world all stalls would be handicapped accessible.
The general rule is you can use such stalls at anytime, but you must be willing to give it up if someone else needs it more (and not because they held it longer). Everyone can benefit from the comforts of a larger stall, more privacy, etc. But when the need of another person (for accomondation) out weighs your need (especially when you can use another facility), then you must be ready to give it up. And that alone is enough reason to use such a stall as a last resort.
2006-10-21 03:32:57 · answer #6 · answered by Mark A 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I ALWAYS use the handicapped stall. The way I figure it is, they get the best parking spots; they get on airplanes first; they get to cut in front of long lines... They owe it to me to not get pissy (no pun intended) when I use the big stall.
2006-10-21 17:15:28 · answer #7 · answered by Diane Marie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol yeah i saw that episode too.
yes I will use it if no one else handicap is there, i mean us non handi cap people often wait for a stall so what is one extra minute the handicap would have to wait for :"their stall" to become available
2006-10-21 03:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by JoAnne H 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know. But i have never seen any handicapped person use it. Usually when i am in the restroom, i just use whatever stall that is open and looks clean.
2006-10-21 03:25:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
...i always use the handicaped stalls also because they seem to be the cleanest...right?..well i dont know if its wrong, but there's nothing really from stopping you to use it other than a handicapped person comes in, which happens rarely i think.
...you have needs and a phobia, so it doesnt really make you a bad person.
2006-10-21 03:32:05 · answer #10 · answered by lamiavitadolce 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋