The way our office is situated in our building, we share a common wall with the men's bathroom, and I assume it's the wall with the urinals along it, since I can hear the handle spring back every time it is flushed.

Since my office shares said wall, I can often hear everything that is going on in the men's room. And let me tell you, there has been a literal cacophony of coughs, ploops, farts, conversation, and whatever else you can possibly think of.

The trouble is, if I can hear them doing their business while I am sitting at my desk, can they hear me doing my work while they are shitting on their pot? While I am in the office, on the phone, laughing, etc? What if my boss walks in there and hears me talking shit about him to someone else?

One time I was curious to see if the guys in there could hear me and so when one of them sneezed, I said "Gesundheit" as loudly as I could. No response. Again, I am left to wonder what the audibility is in that echoey, and (I imagine) ripe mens' room.

Short of breaking into the men's room (which I have no desire to do) and listening for myself, I choose instead to walk around the office, quiet and professional, in hopes that I don't get busted by my boss who happens to be listening while he's taking a piss one day.
-- Latrina [1]