I have gotten locked in a stall before and had to crawl out through the space underneath. Not ideal but its doable
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Don't people in the US feel anxious about bathroom locks
- Thread starter Notaskwid
- Start date
Coming from Europe (France) originally, I am more annoyed by the massive gaps in stall doors/ panels.
I mean, top/ bottom is annoying and weird enough, but I understand it helps cleaning/ checking if someone is already in (shoes visible)/ and access if someone passes out/ has a problem...
But the 1 inch+ gap at the doors ?
Straight weird. With facing stalls, you just pray you don't get to make eye contact.
I mean, top/ bottom is annoying and weird enough, but I understand it helps cleaning/ checking if someone is already in (shoes visible)/ and access if someone passes out/ has a problem...
But the 1 inch+ gap at the doors ?
Straight weird. With facing stalls, you just pray you don't get to make eye contact.
Locked doors that unlock automatically when opened from the inside.
The locking mechanism prevents the outside doorknob from turning. That's the "lock". It doesn't matter if the door is open or closed for it to work.
Push the lock in with the door open and test the outside doorknob.
Also, those doorknob locks pretty much always work. The cheap twist-bolt doors in like 95% of public restroom stalls are much much less reliable.
Most of those locks are pretty weak. I used to kick in the door for some of these at an old job to fuck with people just because they're not structurally sound.
There's an incredible diversity of bathroom lock types in the US so I don't get why this is framed as some kind of national issue.
The button locks can be a bit anxiety inducing due the person on the other side being a persistent bastard and won't wait for a few mins. Not as easy to get a visual conformation compared to other kinds of bathroom locks.
RE: Some reasons for the gaps:
RE: Some reasons for the gaps:
- The stalls are usually cheap and mass produced.
- Keep people from banging or doing drugs.
- Easier to clean
Yes OP. Especially in cities where a lot of businesses are older and have older locks. That's why before committing to the lock I lock it without shutting the door and check the door from the outside. I can't even remember how many times I've walked in on someone on the toilet publicly or been walked in on because they didn't push the door in all the way or the lock was old and easy to trip from the outside without noticing or much pressure.
I especially don't like it when the bathrooms are exceptionally large so it's not like I couldn't put my arm out to keep the door shut if it's a bad lock. I do appreciate when businesses put those latch locks on the door as well as having a button push lock. Better safe than have to say sorry to someone after walking in on them pushing out a growler.
I especially don't like it when the bathrooms are exceptionally large so it's not like I couldn't put my arm out to keep the door shut if it's a bad lock. I do appreciate when businesses put those latch locks on the door as well as having a button push lock. Better safe than have to say sorry to someone after walking in on them pushing out a growler.
I've literally never thouht about this before. If I'm sitting, it's not like they'd get the door open very far anyway.
I honestly don't think about it. I lock the door and just assume it works.
But as others have said, test it while the door is open if it makes you that anxious.
But as others have said, test it while the door is open if it makes you that anxious.
Damn I think I got a new Shark Tank idea. Some kind of portable stall lock you can bring with you
The only thing that made me anxious about US toilets were the gigantic gaps in the stall and tiny doors. Gimme some damn privacy.
Was there an unprecedented number of Americans getting trapped in regular bathroom stalls or something? Those button locks sound cruel.
If we aren't at peace whilst shitting then what hope do we even have?
If we aren't at peace whilst shitting then what hope do we even have?
OP, I've lived in America my entire life and it's never even once crossed my mind that the lock on the door might not work. I think the only reason this is an issue for you is because you've never seen this kind of a lock before.
Also I can't speak for the other Americans who have no idea what you're talking about. For single person restrooms, button locks are very common. You'll also see a little twisty lock sometimes. People should know what these are, but only the single person restrooms are like this.
Also I can't speak for the other Americans who have no idea what you're talking about. For single person restrooms, button locks are very common. You'll also see a little twisty lock sometimes. People should know what these are, but only the single person restrooms are like this.
Yeah, those locks exactly. I've seen them here in several public places and assumed it was like that everywhere. Still havent seen these large gaps stalls everyone thinks I'm writing about.I assume OP is talking about these type of locks.
If so, just check the outside knob before closing the door. Crisis averted.
Gap stalls are in the public restrooms that have multiple toilets. You will see them. Like if you ever had to go to the bathroom in the airport you would have had to have seen them.
Asking in earnest: is this a US specific issue?
Also no, it's never really been an issue for me. Like 98% of the time I can test the lock somehow. The other 2%, well if someone wants to see my bare ass that's their fault for not knockin'.
Also no, it's never really been an issue for me. Like 98% of the time I can test the lock somehow. The other 2%, well if someone wants to see my bare ass that's their fault for not knockin'.
I don't understand why bathrooms suck so bad.
Shitty locks.
No privacy.
No indication from outside if busy or unoccupied.
Shitty locks.
No privacy.
No indication from outside if busy or unoccupied.
Ah, but consider: if you give them the chance, they'll use the privacy to do something Wrong and Evil, like having a wank, or discussing their salary with a coworker.
Therefore, panopticon via giant fucking gaps and minimalist stalls and dodgy locks, to stop them from forming a union. A gay union, possibly.
I'm in disbelief that OP seemingly doesn't know you can just lock it without shutting the door and testing if it works.
Even so, just leave it unlocked if you're terrified the entire time you're in there. Unless you're dropping an explosive load of diarrhea or snorting a line of coke off the sink, no one cares if you're in there.
Even so, just leave it unlocked if you're terrified the entire time you're in there. Unless you're dropping an explosive load of diarrhea or snorting a line of coke off the sink, no one cares if you're in there.
You don't have to worry about me, OP. I always give a little peek and wave through the stall gaps before I try the door.
But what if a little girl sees a guy's dick and decides she wants one? America has not thought this through.
Now this is true fear
When I was in America this weirded me the hell out, also I'm 6"5 and the tops of stall doors are WAAAAY too low down. I had to basically face the other way to not accidentally look at some guy taking a shit.
Then a good guy with a gun shoots him.
Nah, they've got it all figured out. There's already a good guy with a gun from the first part.
Never visited the US until last year. Couldn't believe the gaps round the cubicles in public toilets. It's like they try to encourage weirdos to look in whilst I'm shitting
I'm surprised he didn't see you through the stall gap or even your feet under the stall. You would think he knows there might be people in there before he entered.
I was at an airport stall in Colorado; changing my clothes for next leg of trip. Some guy comes to my stall and tries to open it repeatedly (idk why this is a thing with public restrooms). He somehow ends up jamming my lock, I tried from inside but the shit was jammed. I had to crawl under the stall door on nasty ass floor. I got PTSD from that shit, especially when people notice you crawling out since it's a damn airport.
I have other things to worry about:
1) is the TP dispenser to close? My knees hit almost all of them to where I have to sit crooked, to say nothing of when I have to wipe.
2) can we all just agree, as penis users, to lift the goddamned motherfrakking toilet seat when we only pee standing up? I'm not here to wipe your urine off of the seat before I have to go, especially in an emergency.
3) kids that don't get boundaries
4) people not washing their hands
5) the gap in doors and shit where someone can peer in if they really wanted to
The lock is important, yeah, but often you can check if it fits or works before committing to the thing. If it's the only one then make it known it's occupied or try to hold it shut.
1) is the TP dispenser to close? My knees hit almost all of them to where I have to sit crooked, to say nothing of when I have to wipe.
2) can we all just agree, as penis users, to lift the goddamned motherfrakking toilet seat when we only pee standing up? I'm not here to wipe your urine off of the seat before I have to go, especially in an emergency.
3) kids that don't get boundaries
4) people not washing their hands
5) the gap in doors and shit where someone can peer in if they really wanted to
The lock is important, yeah, but often you can check if it fits or works before committing to the thing. If it's the only one then make it known it's occupied or try to hold it shut.