Gender Public Bathrooms

[countrygirl12]

I had lunch at a restaurant last Sunday with my family. Just as our food was being delivered, I realized that I hadn't washed my hands (after recently touching a lot of handrails and other germy surfaces) so I got up to go to the bathroom to do that. I also needed to use the facilities anyway. I forgot that this restaurant's bathrooms were single seaters, and the men's room door was locked when I got there. So I waited. Another guy walked over while I was waiting, and then a third! Meanwhile a woman came over and went into the ladies room while we had a line waiting to get into the men's room!

After a few more minutes we heard the electric hand dryer in the men's room blowing and the guy behind me shot me a glance and an eye roll as if to say "Finally!" We were all a little bit shocked when the door opened and two adult women walked out of the men's room to see us standing there waiting in a line. They both started laughing and one of them remarked that it had a shorter line than the ladies room when they went in. I wasn't all that amused. My food was getting cold and there was a line behind me, so I decided to just wash the paws and give up the room to the next guy in line.
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[/size]So my question is this: Was it a fair/opportunistic move or their part to take advantage of the empty facility even though they were not men? Or was it foul to tie up the men's room when none of us knew it was women using the men's room while we all passed on the opportunity to use an empty women's room because it is specifically meant for girls and not for guys?[/color]
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[/color][/size]I understand just from the plumbing and process that facility breaks generally take longer for the fairer gender and I know that for the most part I don't have to suffer through bathroom lines as long as the ladies sometimes do. For that I am thankful. To be honest, if it wasn't for them thinking it was so funny when they came out laughing about it without offering any apology, I probably wouldn't have minded much.[/font]
[/size][/color]Before I get jumped on by anyone, I'm not trying to whine (although I realize it may come across that way) - I'm just trying to get other perspectives on the scenario.

No they should not have used the men's room.  They would have pitched a fit if you had came out of the ladies' room.  I don't think it matters that you knew if it were men or women in the restroom.  The fact that you did not use the women's restroom because it is for women just shows you have morals, values, and respect.

I think you are right.  They should have used the women's restroom.  Not the men's.  They are idiots.  Nothing else you can say.

[countrygirl12]

They were probably laughing because they were nervous about what had happened.  I don't think it's a crime to use the opposite bathroom when the other has been occupied for some time. But having two in there at once seems a bit excessive since one could have gone in and the other could have waited until she came out. That way she could have used the women's if it became available.

As to the formatting, preview your comment before you post it and you'll see where those irritating formatting tags are and you can get rid of them. They are not impossible to delete. Just check before you post.

They were laughing because they were B***ches who thought what they done was funny.  Doubt very seriously they were nervous.

[countrygirl12]

I think it was wrong, the women should use the women's and the men the men's. bathrooms. It is not fair to either sex to keep the other  ones from going.  Although I was just a little  upset here about 3 months ago when I went into the women's, a single   and  when I went in there was a man in there  zipping up thank God.  He had not even locked the door.  I guess I had a shocked look on my face, He just laughed  and said if I didn't like  tough.
gave me the finger and left. How rude.

He didn't forget to lock the door.  He done it on purpose.  He is a jack wagon. 

[dwiley11]

ask the restraunt to take the lock off and it will never happen again

[adriarobi]

I still prefer gender specific.  There are always folks who will abuse the use of the other gender's bathroom to violate privacy.

With four grand-daughters and a little great-grandson, I am very cautious about this.

They are giving rights to the very few, while abusing the many's right to privacy, trying to force this on us.

If they are going to do this to us, have three....one men only, one women, and the third who want an option.

One of our most private places should not be scary or a challenge.

 

[UGetPaid]

As far as laughing, I can't tell you how many times I have stood in line for the women's restroom while the men filed in and out of theirs.  Many times the men would look at some of us in line and smile, laugh or snicker.   

I guess the difference there is that the laughing men weren't the ones who caused the inconvenience to you.

[killers2]

I would just wait it out to go in the gender bathroom I am.  Unless the women's bathroom was trashed or something, I think they are in the wrong.

[rghvac69]

Men should use men's restrooms and women should use women's restrooms.

[cathy37]

There have been several times when I had to use the bathroom and the ladies room was occupied and the men's room was available.  I would never tie up the men's room.  I think that is wrong.

[countrygirl12]

I would just wait it out to go in the gender bathroom I am.  Unless the women's bathroom was trashed or something, I think they are in the wrong.

They are in the wrong either way.  It is for MEN.

[candyterrius]

You should have checked the exact time you spent standing in line. Sometimes a few minutes may seem like eternity. Maybe they both needed to do number two? I would not feel comfortable to use the men’s room. It’s just proper etiquette to use the ladies’ room even if there’s a long line. I don’t agree with these women laughing to cover up their embarrassment. Sorry to hear you have to put up with that. If one of them were to come out of there by herself, she wouldn’t have the guts to think it was funny.

[pectacon]

I've never used the other restroom and would only do so in a dire emergency. That said, I'd rather not see a man using the ladies' room, but if it seems to be legit and they're not bothering anybody I'm not going to make a big deal.

[Jayce2013]

I'm smiling because this is something I happened to see quite often when I was living in Italy. It's not a common thing but it can happen that women use men's toilets.

I always saw that in clubs especially, which makes sense somehow: there is always a very long line in women's bathrooms while men's bathrooms are most often empty...

Though I understand that as a man you would/could be quite annoyed about that.

To be honest if I saw a man coming out of the women's toilet, I am sure I would be quite irritated... so... it's hard to say if that is fair or not.

I hope they will put more mixed-gender bathrooms in public places, so that there won't be any problems or discussions anymore as those bathrooms will be open to female and male.

[dogsleash]

i find that those women were rude if they just neede da quick pee or hand wash fine but come on blow drying hair. that is bs.