desh ([personal profile] desh) wrote2010-01-14 04:20 pm

I never expected my coworker to see *that*...

OK, help settle a ridiculously overanalyzed debate at work.

Assume you wish to enter a restroom you know to be a single-person restroom not restricted to any particular gender. The door is closed and you can't easily ascertain whether the light's on, and therefore whether someone's in it, or whether the door was just accidentally closed. Assuming the following additional information, do do you test the handle to see if it's locked (and open the door if it's not), or do you knock first (and then test the handle if you don't hear an answer)?

[Poll #1511654]

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
KNOCK!

SHARED FACILITIES = ALWAYS KNOCK!

Anyone who fails to knock before entering a lavatory whose occupancy wave function has not collapsed should be forced to do their business in the open air of a city street.

[identity profile] twostepsfwd.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Anyone who fails to lock the door before going to the bathroom should be forced to have every one of their coworkers watch them do their business ;-p

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Spoken like someone who's never used a toilet with a broken lock.

[identity profile] twostepsfwd.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
i generally try to avoid using toilets with broken locks, yes. i am a very modest person about my body and i wouldn't risk it except in a dire situation.

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I try, as well. But when there's only one toilet available at an event/your host's home/your workplace, the "choice" is pretty minimal. I wouldn't think taking a second or two to knock would be an onerous burden.

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-14 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Point taken. Even my initial response might seem somewhat... exuberant.

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-15 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
You sing when using a toilet with a broken lock? Is it an automatic reaction? ;)

[identity profile] marnanel.livejournal.com 2010-01-15 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
No, self-preservation. :)

[identity profile] smarriveurr.livejournal.com 2010-01-15 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Does it work when you're not aware that the lock is broken? Or do you just test locks religiously? ;)