The Middle Urinal Experiment

Going to the bathroom is a necessity in all of our lives. It's how we maintain an even homeostasis within our bodies to live healthy. Using toilets helps eliminate our waste effectively and swiftly for many reasons, including avoiding the noxious and pungent odors associated with our human excretions.

Toilets are everywhere to help with this task. They're in our homes, work, and other spaces. We create routines to complete the tasks effectively in these environments. We feel at ease in our homes with the toilet in our own space. Many find a bathroom they prefer at work, and due to the many hours spent there, there is a certain level of comfort.

Then, there are public bathrooms.

You might have just read that line thinking, "Yeah, and?" Most think little about going to the bathroom, especially public bathrooms. Many individuals go into "auto-pilot" when using a public bathroom, allowing them to go in, relieve themselves, and get out. But how did we learn to follow specific rules to create a routine for public bathrooms? And what happens if there is a roadblock to being able to follow our routine?

The Middle Urinal Experiment is based on when author Louie did just that in the men's bathroom. He broke a fundamental unspoken rule in various men's public bathrooms by using the middle urinal consistently, no matter what. During this time, Louie observed others' reactions to his actions. He created conversations with both men and women about public bathroom use to find out where the rules, expectations, and routines in public bathroom usage originated. More importantly, he displayed the social awkwardness associated with public bathrooms.

Get ready to laugh and possibly cringe while reading about Louie's public bathroom exploration through The Middle Urinal Experiment. It will make you think about your own views of public bathrooms and self-reflect on personal routines.