Bathroom Door Etiquette

@Linkat,

You never do, unless you want millions of flies on your butt.

2 Replies

@CalamityJane,

You got that right, CJ.

0 Replies

@CalamityJane,

It's the only way to make sure the wasps go away though..

0 Replies

@Merry Andrew,

The door is closed! Knock before you enter, but if it's occupied the door will be locked. How many safeguards against embarrassment are required? This is an aesthetic issue; who wants to look into a bathroom? Our guest bathroom is located along a central pathway of our house, and during parties I'm continually closing the door. Ugh!

0 Replies

@Setanta,

Setanta wrote:

Most bathrooms and water closets built in the United States, whether new construction or renovation, after the era of the Second World War have "exhaust fans" in them, so there isn't a problem of odor. If you grow up in a house full of people, as i did, then you learn to leave the door ajar because with so much use, it is important to know if the room is occupied.

Many 70's and 80's era homes do not have exhaust fans as part of the original construction in Austin.

Building codes in Austin require either an exhaust fan or an exterior window.

The house inspector advised me that it is not an issue of odor, but rather an issue of moisture. The exhaust fan (or open window) is meant to be used during showers, so that the moisture will not have to be removed by the air conditioner.

2 Replies

@DrewDad,

And we keep the doors shut as a matter of course, as we've had small children for almost nine years now.

0 Replies

@DrewDad,

DrewDad wrote:

Setanta wrote:

Most bathrooms and water closets built in the United States, whether new construction or renovation, after the era of the Second World War have "exhaust fans" in them, so there isn't a problem of odor. If you grow up in a house full of people, as i did, then you learn to leave the door ajar because with so much use, it is important to know if the room is occupied.

Many 70's and 80's era homes do not have exhaust fans as part of the original construction in Austin.

Building codes in Austin require either an exhaust fan or an exterior window.

The house inspector advised me that it is not an issue of odor, but rather an issue of moisture. The exhaust fan (or open window) is meant to be used during showers, so that the moisture will not have to be removed by the air conditioner.

you said odor

1 Reply

@chai2,

It seemed more polite than "noxious fumes."

1 Reply

@DrewDad,

We had a friend who was forever building on to his house...in all manner of crazy ways...had a neon sign on the roof he lit at parties, but I digress.

For the longest time the bathing facilities and toilet stood completely unenclosed in the middle of the living space. Could be seen from everywhere except bedrooms! It was always gay men who lived there and they apparently didn't mind. We women used to support each other by encircling the one using the Loo, facing out. If we had dresses it was easier. I always wore long tops or skirts if I knew I might be the only woman there.

I think most of the visiting guys went in the garden.

0 Replies

@CalamityJane,

I can only think of two reasons to leave a restroom door closed at home.
One: a mental condition of the owner;
two; there is a window cracked open in the restroom for fresh air to circulate.
Otherwise, modern American and Canadian protocol is to leave the door open.

0 Replies

Bathroom Door Etiquette

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