Bathroom Etiquette - The Handicapped Stall

[NoahsMommy]

I think I ponder this every time I use the restroom at work...that's A LOT!! ha ha

We have a woman's restroom on each floor for the people that work in the building. There are three stalls, two "regular" stalls and one handicapped. We have a California Diability Office in our building, so we do have people in wheel chairs here.

When the bathroom is busy, do you use the handicapped stall? I know that if there's someone that needs to use it, they of course, get priority, but what if there's no one around?

What do you think?

[luvofallhorses]

If someone that needed it that was handi-capped,I would just wait for a regular bathroom stall to be open. I am not being discriminative(is that even a word, lol) I just think if the people are handi-capped need the bathroom more and it'd be rude to use it if they were around. Just out of respect I wouldn't use it unless nobody was around or atleast I'd get permission to use it.
I hope all of that made sense.

[jenluckenbach]

Unlike handicapped ONLY parking spaces, which are reserved for the handicapped alone, I feel that the handicapped stalls are not ONLY for handicapped people. I think of them as available to all but made to suit the wheelchair bound. (I have never seen a sign that stated handicapped ONLY!)

After all, there are many people who NEED to use the bathroom ASAP who would not be considered handicapped.

Now, I would not cut in front of a handicapped person if one were there at the same time as I was, but I would not wait in a LONG line in order to keep that stall open, either. Especially in a place where there are only 2 stalls, 1 handicapped accesible and 1 regular sized.

[jazzcat]

I don't use them, I personally have a "bad mojo" feeling about that kind of thing. Plus since my brother has MS and is now handicapped and my mother was stricken to a walker and wheelchair the last year of her life I have an all new appreciation for it.

Of course I know there are special circumstances for people.

[kittycats_delight]

For me it really depends on how desperately I have to go. There are times I just can't wait. I have IBS and when I have to go, I HAVE TO GO. Thereare other people who may need to use a handicapped stall what about people with babies. You aren't exactly going to go into a little stall with a baby and sit him/her on your lap while you use. I think most people if they were alone with their baby they will take them into the handicapped stall in the stroller. There is just no way you can squish you and a baby stroller in a small stall. I think it just depends on the situation and or circumstances.

[CagneyDog]

I typically wouldn't use it but if there is a huge line up (and no handicapped person waiting for it) then I would use it.

[sandragonfly]

well...

if I wait in front of the line and there's a wheelchair waiting behind two/three people too, who would go first? once I told this wheel-person that she could go in first, she insisted me go in first! (yes, the handicapped one) - maybe because I had crayola with me. I guess I'm handicapped too..

sometimes I would go 'in and out quick' if I need to potty, it doesn't always take long. for number two..depends.

[buckner]

Likes others, I wouldn't use it if someone who seriously needed it had to go. But I've gone into bathrooms before and have the regular stalls just be totally disgusting. I'm not a sanitary freak, but YUCK. I can't stand a dirty bathroom. If cases where regular stalls are dirty, and no one needs the handicapped stall, then I'll use that one. It's either that one, or the sink.

[CagneyDog]

Originally posted by buckner
[B It's either that one, or the sink. [/B]

EW

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I almost never use public bathrooms, but if I have to bad enough than I do. If a regular stall is open then I'd use that first, but if they are all full then I don't hesitate to use the handicap stall. If there is a handicap person in there then I'd step aside for them to use it first.

[cali]

I use whatever stall is open, and if that so happens to be a handicapped one then so be it, I would not cut in front of a handicapped person to take it, but if there is no handicapped people around, and there usually isnt then I really dont care one way or the other. if there are 3 stall and 1 is handi capped and the other 2 are filled, I am not going to wait for the normal one to open.

[kuhio98]

Yep, I use them. It's not like I'm going to be in there a long time or anything. What are the odds that a handicapped person will need it in the few minutes that I'm in there? And if I did come out of the stall and a handicapped person was waiting, I would apologize.

[DJFyrewolf36]

If I see a handicapped person or someone (Like with a baby or a child...you try taking a 2 yr old with you into a normal stall lol) who needs to use the larger stall, I'll gladly keep it open for them and not take it, even if it is the only one open. If for some reason someone who needs it is kept waiting for me though, I'll apologise.

What I get mad at is people who cut in line AHEAD of handicapped people and then use the handicapped stall when others were open just because it was the closest one (I have seen this happen)

[CountryWolf07]

Originally posted by kuhio98
Yep, I use them. It's not like I'm going to be in there a long time or anything. What are the odds that a handicapped person will need it in the few minutes that I'm in there? And if I did come out of the stall and a handicapped person was waiting, I would apologize.

Ditto.

[catnapper]

Being that I tend to get panic attacks in closed spaces... I always go to the handicapped stall. I understand the desire to fill the spaces with as many stalls as possible, but please, give me breathing room! Some are so tiny, I can hardly shut the door without needing to stand on the toilet first! If you suffer from claustrophobia or have problems with crowded spaces (like I do) you KNOW what I'm talking about, and you know the relief to be in a handicapped space.

That said, I am the queen of "get in and get out". I might not even occupy a stall for a full 60 seconds. I honestly do not know what takes so many women so long in a stall! What are they doing in there? Shaving their legs? I think its only polite when using ANY bathroom stall (especially if you know there's a line waiting) to do what you need to do and get out. I was out to breakfast this morning & there were about twenty regular stalls, plus two handicapped, and a line of 5 women waiting.... I swear that people were playing games on their cell phone while seated. I heard the distinct beep-blip-beep of a game!!!