I'm a straight guy yet I don't do something most guys do...is this normal?

Question

I'm a straight guy yet I very rarely read on the toilet (I'd say 4-5 times a year)! From what I've heard and observed, it seems that most men have to frantically search for that perfect newspaper/magazine article to read while taking a poop. As for me, though, I hardly ever do that, for three reasons:
a) I don't sit on the toilet long enough to bother.
b) I'd rather read somewhere where it doesn't stink.
c) I've heard from many sources that sitting on the toilet for extensive amounts of time causes hemorrhoids, which is not good for the health.
Having said all that, it's also said that reading on the toilet is supposed to be a "man's thing" - sort of like girls spending hours on the cell phone. So does not reading on the toilet make me "less of a man"? I know that nobody would/should ever know what I do or don't do in the bathroom, but I was just wondering if it's "normal" (in lack of a better term) for a man to not read on the john?

Answer 1

Sounds like you just have better things to do in life than sit on the crapper.

I don't think my hubby's ever read on the pot either, at least not since we've been married. I think all three of your reasons for not reading on the toilet are quite valid. There are much better ways to be a manly man, like farting and scratching yourself or watching football.

Answer 2

Well I'm a straight girl and I do what lots of guys do while I doo doo :) heh

I like reading on the toilet. It allows me to take my time and not try to rush things and get out of there. Rushing things can lead to 'rhoids. I've never heard that sitting too long can cause them, but I'll be looking into that. See source.

I don't think it is a big deal that you don't read. If you finish the process that fast then who needs reading material. However, if it smells so bad you wanna rush outta there, you may need to consider a change in diet.

P.S. I don't spend hours on the cell phone and it doesn't make me feel less girly :)

Answer 3

Gay or straight is not the issue. I know both men and women who have a magazine rack in the bathroom. I don't understand it. I go when I need to go. Go in, do the job and leave. My husband is the same way. If I want to read, I would rather lounge on the couch than on a cold, uncomfortable seat.

Answer 4

None of the men in my immediate family read on the toilet, and they are all straight. I sort of feel sorry for people who can only find sanctuary in the bathroom. I don't see you as less masculine at all.

Answer 5

To be quite honest I admire you. I too cannot for the life of me understand why you would want to spend more time in there than you have to - but I AM a female so maybe my opinion doesn't count for much.

But you see my housemate's teenage daughter does this neanderthal behaviour and has introduced it to her otherwise naive brothers - who may have grown up to be just like you if it weren't for her! So I tend to think it's an introduced behaviour - one we could well have done without - and that you are the normal one in the grand scheme of things. I think it's a winner with the girls anyway.....