Nice job, GGG.

I for one am simply horrified that there would be NO doors on a stall. Let's explore this a little. First of all, aside from someone having a bomb strapped to them which would endanger the people in the surrounding area, what illicit activity could be worse than that. You're worried about people having sex in there well then make the door go all the way to the floor then parents you can tell a child almost anything about what is going on then. Use your imaginations. Are you worried about drugs well then if the door goes to the floor you have nothing again to worry about. But to have no door on a stall is simply sacriligious and should NOT be tolerated. And if the illicit activity is THAT out of hand then perhaps more police prescence is needed to get rid of these drug dealers and hookers.

I tried for hours to find pictures of the Laguna Beach so-called "courtesy doors." No luck.

Which is worse: people being able to see your full body as you poop, or people only being able to see your face as you grunt one out?

The unisex concept described in this article works basically on the principle of the porta-potty, which only one person can use at a time and which can be used by either gender and does not waste space.

I'm surprised no one thought of this before.

Pulling My Pants Down For Peace, Plop and Posterity!

Many years ago I was camping on a beach by Mulege, Baja California in Mexico and the only crapper was an open fronted outhouse with 2 holes side by side. It faced away from the beach, but directly on to the main highway. Whenever you heard truck horns blasting you knew someone was performing on the hopper.

I would rather have someone look at my bare ass then to see the ridiculous expressions I make on the pot. I stayed in a hotel once that had a mirror on the back of the door in the bathroom. I found it very disturbing. So much so that I had to take a magazine into the toilet in order to be able to take a dump.

Hmmm. If you're not going to put a door on the stall, why even bother to put siding on the stall either? Is it okay to look at somebody taking a dump from the frontal aspect but not in profile? Security is one thing and maintenance is another. Are we willing to sacrifice human dignity though?

I think that this might be like Crap Heaven's test to find out whether you're Truly Shameless and therefore worthy of admission. Yep, you and St. John will cop a squat while watching the video of your life. Conquering the Doorless Crappers of SoCal will earn your Brownie points will earn you a throne beside the Big Deuce himself.
_______
Deja Poo - Because this shit's so strange, it couldn't ever have happened before.

I caught softball for over a twenty year period, including numerous army and local teams and loved it. GGG, I'm laughing at your mentioning of the umpires. There were a few I loved, and one that drove me nuts because he was a perve. Once during a game (I think I was 14 at the time), I let a ball go by and it smacked him in the junk. My mother still talks about him calling "strike" in a falsetto of pain.

Your article makes me think of the city restrooms we had to use when Thing One played at the state tournament last summer in Kirkland. They didn't have doors on the stalls or the front of each restroom, but they solved the privacy problem by have one of those walk around walls like in WalMart restrooms, space be damned.

I don't know what I think about the solutions being offered by these penny pinchers, except that the first time someone is peeked on or the like who's daddy has money, there's going to be a ruckus.

Of all the things to scrounge over......jeez.

_______
.....hugging bunnies since 1969
www.daphneszoo.com

Hahahah! I love that a pitch nailed him.

*sigh* My favorite ump's name was Steve. When he was our umpire, I don't know how I didn't get clocked upside the mask by the batters. I probably did, and don't remember it. :) We would even hold conversations during the up; it drove the batters CrAzY. Wow, he was fine.

So, when someone needs to change their tampon, it has to be in plain sight of everyone else in the restroom?

I vote for privacy.

Oh my God! I forgot all about that, FP!

YES! When we got to be young teens, it WAS a problem! That's when the "human shield" became indispensable. We would wait until the stall farther back was free, then use that one so that no one could walk by during the operation.

It's a good friend who will lean up against the bricks and shoo people away from you while you're trying to change a tampon.

Good times. :)

It's disgusting that you had to get to that level to get some privacy.

Oh, is that hyperfeminism?

Sorry.

_______
.....hugging bunnies since 1969
www.daphneszoo.com

Awesome point FP!
I was disturbed enough about the thought of crapping in public, but having to take care of more, er, feminine matters bugs me even more.

_______
It's YOUR cat, YOU get his poop out of my sink!

Good report GGG!

I think one of the reasons many public facilities had designed restrooms with minimal privacy is they want to cut down on the potential for these places being used for clandestine behaviour be it drugging, drinking or sex.

A new park in town here has facilities which are private but the ones downtown are very open, I think a great deal of the decision making is based on the type of individuals likely to visit that particular area.

Bunga Din (986) -- 03.22.2007 ... I think a great deal of the decision making is based on the type of individuals likely to visit that particular area.
Bunga, that's a good point. We've discussed this before; where there are going to be a lot of children, you don't want there to be a lot of secret corners.. if you know what I mean.

Also, some cities have the homeless population to consider. San Clemente, being a beach city with a year-round nice climate, has more than it's fair share of indigents.

I think the bathroom problem has to do less with the "usual" users and more with the "unusual" uses that may occur.

I'm new to my city, beginning a career in bank marketing, and in a job where there's a lot of stress. Since I don't know that many people yet, I'm alone when I go riding my bike and on my walking treks. I should probably be more "disciplined" in waiting to go out until I've used the bathroom first (Mom--you tried your best, but I guess I failed!) but sometimes I have no choice but to poop in the public park potties.

You don't need a college degree to know that holding in a shit while on the trails riding your bike would be...well, it would be too graphic to print!
I use the public park potties at least three times a week. Like with GottaGoGirl's posting, they are open stalls. The park closest to my apartment is hundreds of acres and the largest in the city. There are three stalls in the better of the restrooms I use.

This location is nearer the better neighborhoods, competitive athletic fields, and is, at least by public restroom cleanliness standards, one of those places you would allow your own child to use.
Initally, I selected the first of the three open stalls. I compromised my privacy for the fact that the seat was clean, the bowl was empty and there were two full rolls of toilet paper.

Just as I was finishing my activity, two grade school-age girls came in, moved my bike which was parked in the doorway so far that the kickstand gave way, and each took one of the two remaining stalls. Three older girls, probably middle school-age, came in just as I was finishing wiping and stood right in front of my stall as I was finishing up. I couldn't believe they were so forward as to actually stand so close to the stalls that they could actually see someone doing what is typically considered a private thing.

My first response--out of shock--was to tell them I was almost done (which unfortunately they could SEE since I was wiping)and then I was more firm in saying I should be allowed to have some space of my own. To that one of them laughed and the other said she had to "pee really bad."

How they decided which one would get the stool first I don't know. I was so pissed that I left without even stopping at the sink. As I continued my ride, I also got to thinking about what I could've, should've said about touching someone else's property an moving it. Next time I guess I should get off the trail and find a gas station bathroom. Last time I used one, they still had a privacy door!

Like Loree, I'm a young, urban female professional that is not shocked by the violation the girls showed of her "space". Standing in front of her stall and watching her go and wipe is totally inexcusable. Back off! There's only one entrance to the facility so what is to be gained by standing right in front of the person on the stool. Secondly, she was probably sending a message by leaving her bike in the doorway. Most people would have stayed out until she came out. I would have asked them to step back and if they didn't, I would have pulled out my cell phone and threatened to take their pictures mmomentarily when they are in such a compromising situation. I mentioned this to my boyfriend who is a psychology student but he said the attention would just "enable their narcissism". There's only one constant I can think of here: although open stalls are becoming more plentiful, the little privacy you hope for is likely going to be invaded.

I have made some basically serious comments on the thread by Peter, begun in 2002 - Am I Done Or Not?

http://www.poopreport.com/Ask/Content/doneornot.html

'Anal about Poop' - a female - said she found a mirror facing a hotel toilet 'disturbing'. She seems to suggest that she saw herself scowling as she made the effort! Not a very wise place to put a mirror, even if it was unbreakable, unless there was a doorstop to prevent it hitting the wall! I had two experiences when I was only 8 years old, of toilets with mirrors facing them (though not on doors). In neither case, was I scowling. In fact, I found it difficult not to laugh.

These two stories are within contexts, so they are quite long. I had an older brother, and he had, as friends, two brothers quite close to his own age, who lived about 15 miles away. I had been to their house many times for the day, and my brother had stayed overnight quite a lot. They had stayed at our house a few times, the younger one always sleeping in my room - we had always got on very well together. He had said several times that I should go and sleep at their house overnight on my own.

My parents, sensibly, said it should be my decision (I had been allowed to decide for him to sleep in my bedroom). Once they came to stay for a few days at the beginning of school summer holidays, when our church choir went into virtual abeyance until September, and a 'plot' was hatched that the visiting boys would casually ask me if I would like to go back with them on the Saturday, go with them to their church on the Sunday morning, and then come back with my parents who were going over on the Sunday for a meal anyway. I agreed, and had a super time.

As their parents weren't churchgoers and stayed in bed reading the Sunday paper, the boys got me a cooked breakfast, while I went for my shower. After breakfast before church, we all had to use the bathroom for teeth cleaning and the other daily activity which boys do. All three of us knew each other well enough to know that this was the time of day when we all 'dropped trou', and they sent me in first, as I was their guest.

This was the first time I had ever stayed overnight on my own in a different house without parents or brother, and thus the first time I sat on the toilet away from home without them being around (apart from very occasionally at school). This is a landmark in a young boy's life. Not so much for girls, who sit on the toilet on every occasion.

I had been in that bathroom many times for urination, and now I was to use the toilet for a different purpose - the first of many occasions over the years. So in I went, and while pulling my trousers down, I realised something which I hadn't noticed before - there was a mirror directly facing me. I had never seen myself on the toilet before anywhere. It was quite funny to see myself sitting in this comical position, the expressions on my face, and wiping my bottom. I told the boys that it had made me laugh, but they said that mirror was very useful. It meant they were able to look at themselves when they pulled their trousers up, tuck their shirts in, and make themselves respectable without adult help, even as very small boys. When they combed their hair, and later reached shaving age, that mirror was very useful. Initially, when their parents bought the house, that was the only bathroom and was used by everybody. That mirror was already there, and it was several years before they could afford to make alterations in the house. The parents now had a bathroom attached to their bedroom, and there was a 'cloakroom' downstairs for visitors. This original bathroom was designated for their boys. The boys didn't want the mirror removed, because when shaving at the mirror by the window, they were facing the light, whereas on the big mirror, the light was at the back of them. The boys have now moved out, one married with two super kids, and the other in a relationship, and I visit them all regularly. Their parents like me to go over for a meal two or three times a year when I am staying with my own parents - 15 miles away - and stay over night, so that we can have some wine with a meal. (I don't drink and drive). In fact only a fortnight ago, I sat in the morning facing that mirror.

But I had an even funnier experience that same year as an eight year old. During a school October holiday, my Mum took me with her to help clear out a samll bungalow, which was reverting to my father after an old lady had had the use of it for over 20 years. It was old fashioned by my standards, no shower, but a bath which had been adapted for her, and a higher toilet, to make it easier for her to sit on. And a mirror on the door. I was by then nearly tall enough to sit on normal toilets with my feet nearly touching the floor, but this was a different matter. I didn't want to trip over my dropped trousers as I sprang up onto the seat, so I unzipped my jeans and undid my belt, and managed to spring up onto the seat, and then push my trousers and underpants right down. I looked a funny sight with my belt dangling below my jeans. When the time came to wipe, I realised that I couldn't reach the paper, so I had to get down for it, and then get back up again. For the remaining mornings, I put the roll in a more handy position. Only since reading PoopReport, have I known that some people stand to wipe. (I have tried it in the last day or two, but remaining sitting is still better for me.)

The only other occasion I have encountered a mirror in the aforesaid position was one morning earlier this year, when I had to leave early in the morning before I was ready for 'Number 2', and stopped at a garage for some petrol when I felt the urge, as it were. I asked if there was a toilet before I got my petrol, and they said 'Of a sorts'. I had to ask for some toilet paper, and there was a cracked mirror on the door. No soap and towel, but fortunately I had my toilet bag in my car, and wiped my hands with my flannel, and dried them on some of the paper I had taken out of the garage toilet for the purpose.

I, too, am a bike rider and trail user, and while, I don't look forward to it, I often have to stop to use the facilities in the park. From Loree's report, I'm surprised that the girls simply didn't give her space to finish up. If she's wiping, it's obvious, they should just stand back on wait momentarily. The two girls hurried to put their claim on the other two stalls (it would have been more courteous for them to wait since she was finishing and obviously embarrassed by the open stalls and at least one of them would have gotten a cleaner stall)and then with the older girls coming in, the smaller bathroom got full rather fast. I've been in that situation before when a MOTHER has tried to hurry me along with one of those "she's gotta pee bad" comments. I'm certainly not going to immediately jump up and yield under such circumstances. The close proximity of the girls to Loree, and later the other two, who were on the stools, is troubling to me. They should have waited more toward the entryway to the restroom building. Creepy eyes are one thing, but when I'm on a public toilet and some common sense would make it avoidable, I'm going to shout "GIVE ME MY SPACE!!!!" That's why I'll use a gas station bathroom ten times for every time I use one of those open-stall public park toilets.

As a 23-year-old female who jogs, walks and rides a bike on trails going to several public parks, I do have to stop two or three mornings a week and have my stool. The best of the public facilities have stalls but no doors; the worst have two toilets just set off the the side of the room but without stalls or doors. My intent is to relieve my bowels as expeditiously and effectively as I can and that is to wait until I have to go, then I release it and I'm usually up, off the stool and wiped within two minutes. My morning coffee goes right through me and my peeing is done with similar ease, although after I initially make contact with the seat, it might be a minute or two until I get my flow going. Only once have I had a woman come in and need to use the toilet next to mine. And that was ackward because she was older--probably in her early '50s--and she apologized profusely; not only for invading my privacy but for her small dog that. As I was working to get the largest piece of my crap out, her dog was sniffing my knees and the front of the toilet bowl and was also licking the right side of my thigh. Of course, I'll take the doors when they have them but convenience and sheer necessity will often win out for me.

Physically Fit, a good idea might be to strap a stall door to your back when jogging. Not only will you have it when needed, but the extra weight will improve your cardio workout. If you need a good stall door, you might want to check out my collection. It is located in an annex off my ass gasket display room.

I walk my dog or jog 7 mornings a week. Since I need to be at my office by 7:30 a.m., that means I reach the park just as the sun comes up. Like with the other posters, the exercise activates my bowels. There must be close to a hundred of us out at about the same time most mornings and hence the problem: our parks & recreation department has only one two-stall doorless bathroom hut for ladies. There's no privacy! Yesterday, I was on the stool just getting my bowels ready to move when a mother and her son, probably about 5 or 6, came in. The boy wasted no time pulling down his shorts and getting himself up on the stool next to mine. His aggressive movement intitially aggrevated my Maggie, who I had tied to my toilet paper holder. Then the mother directs her attention from her son and into my stall. It creeped me out. "How long you gonna be?", she barked. "Well, I allocated 30 minutes for this morning's crap and from my timer I see I've used 3:35, therefore giving me the likelihood of using my entire 26:25 time remaining", I wanted to say since I so thoroughly enjoy crapping under such circumstances! Although I'm only 24, I find a growing number of people are insensitive about space and privacy. As it turned out, the boy got done in about two minutes because the mother hurried him along and then she relieved herself with one very vicious pee. As I was wiping and trying to calm Maggie, I got to thinking the boy was probably old enough to use the mens room about 12 feet way. Privacy! Why is it such an elusive concept?