November 26, 2005
Bathroom Subcultures!
Inspired by hareega’s recent bathroom dilemma, and reminded by a story of my own in Al -Rai newspaper building in Amman, I decided to share something that I recently learnt about men/women bathroom subcultures!
I was at a business meeting in al Rai building few years ago when I had this strong urge to visit the ladies’, only to discover that the ladies’ do not exist…all the bathrooms were gent’s! But I really had to go and so I decided that a man got to do what a man got to do so I ventured in. My first reaction was shock at the structure of the bathroom they have these sinks that I later learnt are called urinals. My second reaction was being scandalized at how dirty men’s bathrooms are! When I was done I obviously wanted to leave but I was faced with a second dilemma, there were men in the bathroom! I waited a bit, listening with all my heart, and when I was sure that no one was there, I ventured out… however to my complete chagrin, there was ONE man there at those sinks! Imagine the situation a woman in men’s room in AMMAN! emboldened by the ridiculousness of the situation I did what a woman would do in a bathroom… I smiled, said hi and stormed out of the whole building never to come back again!
Men and women have completely different bathroom cultures…While women’s restrooms are networking lounges and counseling centers, where we can meet interesting people. Men’s bathrooms are exactly that… bathrooms! In our bathrooms, we discuss everything, people, clothing, events, our problems, our friends’ problems and gossip. While we apply make-up, we discuss application techniques and brands; we pass toilet paper under the gap, and continue our conversation across the wall even with strangers, while going about our business… it is rare but not unheard of that two women would go in the same cubicle to finish the conversation!
Men on the other hand discuss NOTHING! Absolutely nothing! They don’t talk in the bathroom, even if they were there with their best friend… they try to keep the conversation to a minimum! They certainly will not talk, while sitting on the toilet, and they will never meet another man’s gaze. What I found most interesting was that men also have a territorial ritual while in the bathroom. If there are five urinals in a row, the first man will choose the urinal furthest from the door, the second man will choose the urinal furthest from the first man, the third man will choose the one in the middle and the fourth will go in a cubicle!!!
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