Understanding Public Restroom Etiquette

When we think of etiquette we don't often think of public toilets. But one of the most common and most overlooked places is the public restroom.

Think of how many times you walk into a public restroom each day. Have you ever thought about things you can do to make the next persons experience on the public toilet a little more pleasant?

More than likely not, although when you walk in you expect it to be smooth sailing. Here are a list of things that can help you make it easier for the next person coming into the stall:

Remember to flush the toilet- though this is something that would be considered common sense it is one of the most overlooked steps in a public restroom. Flushing the public toilet is one of the simplest things to do. But it will also save the next person disgust, and inconvenience.

Remember to wipe the toilet seat- If you dribbled on the toilet seat shouldn't you be the one to wipe it off? Remembering you wouldn't want to sit in someone else's urine or feces don't expect them to want to either.

Remember to close the lid before you flush the toilet- This one will help keep water from off the floor and keep bacteria from spreading. Bacteria can spread a distance of 20 ft from the place of the initial flush. That is pretty far when your standing right next to the toilet.

Make sure you check the stall before you leave- This won't take long, a quick once over will really go a long way. Making sure there is no toilet paper on the floor or water, seeing that the toilet seat is dry and looks clean. These things go a long way in the next persons experience.

No one likes to have to use a public toilet but they should be able to have a great experience doing it. Changing a few simple things could improve your day considerably.

Understanding how taking a few extra minutes to check the stall saves the next person inconveniences and headaches. Using public restrooms and sitting on public toilets is no ones idea of a great experience but with the proper etiquette you can ensure that their experience will hopefully be better than they expected.

You never know when a simple gesture will be the highlight of someones day or become the straw that broke the camels back. Learning simple ways to help your experience become a better one and practicing public restroom etiquette will give you a bit more to smile about.