The Daily O’Collegian

Every day, an unheralded dilemma arises in the mind of every person on campus.

When the time for depository relief comes and “bathroom traffic” is congested enough to cause concern, it is common to consider, at some length, which stall or urinal is the ideal destination. Although this decision is not widely debated, nor is it a serious psychological factor for some, general restroom guidelines certainly exist.

A popular game traversing the Internet deals with this topic: “The Urinal Game” is more of a helpful instructional aide than it is a game.  “The Urinal Game” is quite simple.

It establishes multiple situations in the men’s bathroom where some urinals are occupied and others are not, and from there the player is asked to choose which urinal is appropriate to use given the circumstances. Also, exiting the restroom facilities is another option whose application is frequently necessary.

“The Urinal Game” brings up some interesting questions regarding how one mentally prepares (and executes) their “game plan” for entering the lavatory.

Essentially, two scenarios might take place: either the bathroom is familiar and frequently used, or it is not. When it comes to the former, Nokosee Fields, a vocal music education and performance freshman, said, “I have my own stall and urinal.”

He said he picks the same one every time.

This is common for women as well — some agree having a stall of choice establishes a regular comfort zone for bathroom use.

According to the International Center of Bathroom Etiquette at http://www.icbe.org, an “ideal situation” exists for men.

“This situation is, of course, the presence of one urinal,” according to the Web site. Otherwise, many rules may apply.

“It is NOT considered proper etiquette to enquire to a peeing person if he is almost done,” according to the site.

Many guys will agree that this and any other level of communication in the restroom is unwanted.

“If that social norm was broken, then maybe we would talk,” Fields said.

The thought process when choosing a stall of preference is a noted procedure. According to http//:www.psychologytoday.com, most people tend to choose stalls toward the middle.

“The center of something is often safer than the extremes,” according to the Web site, “in reaching for a can of tomato paste from an end row we might accidentally grab the jar of sauce sitting next to it. So by mindlessly picking the middle item, we save our brainpower for more important concerns.”

This theory, however, tends to disagree with popular opinion.

“I choose the [stalls] on the end, just not the first one,” said Sarah Moyer, a vocal performance junior. “I want the one with the most toilet paper.”

People seem to have a more difficult time in the restroom when they are not acquainted with the area.

“I try to put as much space as possible between myself and someone else,” said Grant Ritter, a marketing junior.

When it comes to stalls, Ritter said he does not contemplate which he would like to use. Most gentlemen will agree that having some “buffer space” at the urinal wall is a desired thing, but the main goal when entering the restroom is to get in and get the job done; details are often of secondary importance.

Although women do not have urinal issues to worry about, they tend to recognize the potential for confrontational disaster when entering the “alleviation station.”

“Girls go in and make as little noise as possible,” said Molly Hendricks, a music education sophomore.

Kristin Tapscott, an instrumental and vocal education junior, said she would hardly hesitate to “get up and change stalls” if a person at an adjacent toilet were to create undesired noises.

For men, this problem does not seem to be as much of a priority — security takes priority instead.

“[The stall] has to have a working lock,” said John Fifield, a music education freshman.

Another issue in the bathroom is the use of cell phones.

“I do it all the time,” Fields said. He added that his cell phone usage should not be limited no matter where he is.

On the contrary, Moyer said of people in nearby stalls talking on the phone, “I don’t want their conversation hearing me pee.”

No matter the situation, it is generally easy for anyone to have second thoughts after choosing to do anything in the bathroom, for actions and their consequences seem to be amplified in these quarters.

Frustration aside, it might be best to remember one of ICBE’s important guidelines: Everyone is equal in the eyes of the bathroom.