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Of Women and Men

Chris Farmer RSS / 14.01.2012. u 14:35

This is the trouble with crowdsourcing.

I have been asked to write about the relationship between men and women. In order to do so, I am forced to call upon my many years experience as a male and attempt to relate the relative truths and gleanings from this experience into a form which will elucidate and provide the invaluable insight which this topic requires and deserves. The effort has been extreme, but I finally believe that I might impart this wisdom - the sum total of my understanding of the relationship between women and men.

 

 

"?"

 

 

This having been said, I do know a thing or two about women in the men's room. I know, for example, that they are not supposed to be there. One day last week, however, I had occasion to visit three different men's rooms in three different public places. And each time, there was a woman there.

Hm... I hmmed to myself.

In the prudish primitive culture from which I sprang, it was generally thought of as unthinkable to have a woman in the men's room. It is an unwritten rule - no one having bothered to write it down because it would appear self-evident. If we posit the existence of separate lavatories for men and women, it is presupposed that each sex would repair to their respective doors, willingly and devoid of argument.

The women in the men's room this week were not patrons (note the gender-specific term), but they were there cleaning. One agrees with cleaning the lavatories. One does not object to their being as hygienic as possible. One does not even object too strongly to the overpowering ammoniac smell of the disinfectant. But one (i.e., this one, i.e., me) does NOT expect to see the cleaning going on while one is going about one's bathroomly business.

One expects to wait rather uncomfortably and impatiently in the corridor in front of a sign that says something like closed for maintenance or closed for cleaning or closed-due-to-the-presence-of-females- in-what-is-traditionally-a-space-reserved-for-males, the-Last-Bastion-of-sanctioned-segregation.

That would be a complicated sign however.

In all three cases last week, the women carried on regardless with their duties. Cleaning and straightening while the toilet was being trafficked by several men. I note, further, that no one except me seemed to think this was strange or somehow unusual. Not wanting to make a scene, I pretended that I was cool with this turn of events. And I admit that this was far from the first time this has captured my attention in the ten years I have been in Serbia. But it happened three times that day. When things occur in threes, it MUST mean something...

So there they were, minding their own business and probably at least a little of our business. The thought then scurried across my mind as to what would happen if it were reversed. Putting the shoe on the other foot, a man cleaning a ladies' room in the presence of women would likely result in a police action.

Let's just call this an Observation and move on, I think. See you around the urinal.

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looping looping 15:09 14.01.2012

Rules

I note, further, that no one except me seemed to think this was strange or somehow unusual. Not wanting to make a scene, I pretended that I was cool with this turn of events.

Funny.
Once you get used to, it won't be uncomfortable anymore.
Exception that proves the rule - Men's room is only for men, except for cleaning lady.
Good for you if that's the only exception you've found.



Filip2412 Filip2412 15:29 14.01.2012

...

Toronto, Ontario:
In some small clubs I often used to see a big line in front of the women's washroom and just a few guys or no one at the men's.

Then the girls would lose it and start going to the men's. I look at their faces whille trying to find my way to the urinal, and if laughing is a sign of discomfort they probably felt some, but in a group of more than 2 their laughter would become pure and healthy with no signs of restrain.

It is happening Chris, cleaning lady just pioneers the big takeover.
Chris Farmer Chris Farmer 15:54 14.01.2012

Re: ...

Filip2412
It is happening Chris, cleaning lady just pioneers the big takeover.


"Turn to face the strange changes." - David Bowie

"But zip up first." - CBF
Ivana Knežević Ivana Knežević 22:12 14.01.2012

?

A proud visitor of men's rooms.

Mind you, with a preference for single room washrooms. A room is a room is a room. As long as there is no one else inside.

Just recently I had to endure a wrath of a large male at work, who had to wait while I was visiting men's room. And he had a hunch that it could have been a female. Good for him.
It all ended with a friendly scorn and a smiling shrug. What else could I do - walk all the way back and then come again?
Who has time for that?

Get on with the times, Chris :)

But urinals are best left to men. I am yet to walk into one of those.
Chris Farmer Chris Farmer 10:01 15.01.2012

Re: ?

Getting on with the times….

As with most things, getting on with the times requires a little time to onto which to get.

I do not pass judgment on the blurring of distinction among divided powder rooms. If the signs indicating Men’s or Ladies’ are more general recommendations than prescriptions, I’m jake with that.

Unisex lavatories are progressive; they point to enlightened sensibilities. If I were to believe that humans were capable of progressive attitudes and enlightenment, then I should have nothing but praise for them.


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