Finer points of etiquette

[legalmoose]

Unlike the rules on elevators, or public transit conveyances, the rules on who has priority, those entering or those exiting, are evidently not as clear when it comes to multi-user public restrooms (single user restrooms are the same as elevators and public transit - the person exiting has priority of use of the door(s) and should be allowed to exit before the other person enters).

If the restroom is large enough to permit it, the person exiting should hold the door and allow the person entering to do so. Presumably the person exiting has completed his or her appointed task and should feel relieved rather than pressed, while the person entering may feel a greater sense of urgency for the facilities. So, if you find yourself exiting a multi-user public restroom, please allow the other person to enter, preferably while graciously holding the door open. They will appreciate the gesture, or at least not snarl at you as block their need to take care of potentially urgent physical needs.

Comments

[gnumoose.livejournal.com]

Id assume you're talking about common courtesy and decency. Which alas seems to be missing from alot of people's lives these days.

[deejayqueue.livejournal.com]

well my take on it is more of a sanitation aspect than a courtesy side. The person entering is going to get thier hands dirty anyway (presumably)while the person exiting has just washed thiers (again, presumably). Were it me and i just washed my hands i wouldn't want to touch the grimy door of a bathroom if i didn't have to.
...then again it frustrates me that most bathroom doors open into the room rather than out of it so that you have to grab a handle to leave instead of leaning on the door.

[spudpuppy.livejournal.com]

So, who got in your way, when you were trying to enter?