September
16
I have always been a little pee shy when it comes to using public restrooms. It took me many years to finally start using them during my work day instead of just waiting ALL DAY until I went home.
I do not know why but I am so nervous for people in the restroom to hear me pee. I KNOW. It is so silly and it is not like someone is listening for me to pee so they can point and laugh at me. I just have a weird thing about public restrooms.
Today I used the restroom and then headed to sink to wash my hands as another guy walked in. He looked pretty shocked to see me in there and I thought he must have a bathroom phobia as well.
As I was washing my hands, I was thinking about how it is silly to be afraid to have people hear you pee because that is why you are using the restroom in the first place. I was hoping my hand washing was not making him nervous and I quickly dried them off to leave.
As I started to leave, I giggled to myself because I could hear him peeing and then in a scary little kid voice thought, “I CAN HEAR YOU PEEING!!”
The guy at the urinal quickly turned around and was looking at me in horror. I realized at this exact moment, as my words were echoing through the empty bathroom, that I hadn’t said, “I CAN HEAR YOU PEEING!!” in my head BUT I had actually used my creepy kid voice and said it out loud!
I ran as fast as I could to get out of there and the building. I couldn’t believe I had just freaked a poor guy out in the bathroom by saying, “I CAN HEAR YOU PEEING!!” in a creepy voice. If the guy did have a phobia, I can guarantee he will never use a public restroom again.
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Bishop
on 16 Sep 2008 at 7:38 am #
Michael – you probably traumatized the poor guy.
I understand how you feel about public restrooms – its just not a moment I particularly care to share.
I usually wait until the restroom is empty or I find a small one-person-only restroom.
Becky
on 16 Sep 2008 at 7:39 am #
I already told you that this story made my day yesterday and I shared it with several others. Thank-you for the laughter!
Michael
on 16 Sep 2008 at 7:44 am #
Bishop,
I know this poor guy will never use the restroom again! He will develop bladder problems and curse the day when the boy said to him, ” I CAN HEAR YOU PEEING!!”
Becky,
I am glad it is still making you laugh!
Brad
on 16 Sep 2008 at 8:04 am #
Michael-
I will never forget when I was at a gay PRIDE event where there was a long line to use the restroom and this poor guy had explosive diarrhea. It echoed and everyone in line burst out laughing. I did my best to keep it in so I wouldn’t pee on my shoes.
I then realized he might have some health related issues. I can only assume he *might* be HIV+ since I know some of the toxic drugs positive people take for their HIV cause diarrhea.
My heart went out to him, I am sure he was embarrassed, but hey if you have to go you have to go! I am sure he only wished it would have been a more private situation.
It just amazed me that the people who were standing there laughing it could just as well be them.
This has stuck with me for almost 10 years, it still makes me feel bad for wanting to laugh when I first heard it.
I somehow feel ashamed at my behavior at laughing at this poor guy.
Michael
on 16 Sep 2008 at 8:08 am #
Brad,
It is more important that you are self reflecting about it now and realizing how it could have made he feel.
Sometimes laughter is meant to be cruel. Sometimes we laugh because we feel awkward and do not know what else to do. It eases the tension.
I am glad that you thought about how this person might have felt and that experience I am sure has made you a better person.
Harold
on 16 Sep 2008 at 3:35 pm #
Wow…. I’m not the only one! I’m OK with the urinal, but peeing in a water filled toilet is hard, even when I aim for the side of the bowl. BUT… my greatest horror was going into a men’s room at the beach and finding that we all were expected to haul it out and pee in an old bath tub with running water and a drain. I had a hard time peeing, but got view a few nice…. O my, I can’t say the word here.
Michael
on 16 Sep 2008 at 3:38 pm #
Harold,
I couldn’t use that type of restroom. There would be no one. If there was just a tub there with water. I would just have to hold it and cry.
Pheng
on 16 Sep 2008 at 9:12 pm #
haha.. that’s funny Michael.
Brad
on 17 Sep 2008 at 1:01 pm #
If I was at the beach, I would go into the lake/ocean and pee. LOL