Toilet Etiquette

Dear Donna,

I don’t know who else to ask for advice on this embarrassing topic. My partner and I often find ourselves both going to the Male and Female toilets in movie theatres, shopping centres, etc. He always seems to finish first, then waits for me outside the door of the Female toilets. I feel that this creates a bad impression, and my friends all say the same. What is the correct etiquette in this case? Should I ask him to wait for a suitable period of time before entering the Male toilet?

Yours anonymously,
Adnohr Rialb

Dear Adnohr,

You’re not the only couple to have this problem. Unfortunately, many men are far too hasty or self-centered in their toilet-going and fail to consider the needs of their partner. You may find he doesn’t even want to talk about it. But the problem can be solved if you discuss it openly together.

Suggest to your partner that he needs to adopt a more relaxed and measured approach. Instead of heading straight for the stall and flinging open his fly, he should go to a cubicle and take his time getting into the right mood. His haste is probably due to anxiety.

Don’t expect too much at first, but, if he’s prepared to work at it, in a few months, you should both be coming out of your toilets simultaneously.

Donna

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