Day 339/365: Toilet use instructions

[nanila]

One of the things that amuses me about my new workplace building is the laminated notice posted in each of the cubicles of the ladies' toilets. This notice provides detailed instructions for proper use of the facilities. When I queried this with my colleagues, the response was, "You should have seen the state of the toilets before those notices went up." o.O

A transcription of the photo is below. Transcription does not include the carefully chosen clip-art illustrations, emojis, and photos. Transcription does include EMPHATIC CAPITALISATION.

To ensure that the toilets remain clean for YOU and OTHER PEOPLE:

• DO please sit on the toilet appropriately to avoid mess;
  
  
• DO ensure that used toilet roll is placed in the toilet and flushed away;
  
  
• DO check to ensure that the toilet has flushed properly and is clean for the next person to use;
  
  
• DO put all SANITARY WASTE (sanitary towels and tampons) in the provided sanitary bins, next to the toilet;
  
  
• DO NOT leave SANITARY WASTE on the floor;
  
  
• DO NOT put used toilet roll or tissues on the floor - flush them away!

To prevent the spread of germs, please WASH your hands.

Thank you for your cooperation

Comments

[pbristow]

We could do with those at our place. Along with "DO NOT dispose of non-liquid waste, including chewing gum, or other half-masticated foodstuffs, in the urinals."

=:o\

[telegramsam]

Some people missed a few classes of "potty training 101" as toddlers I suppose...

[emelbe]

The toilets nearest the lab used to just be accessible to the two groups that co-own the building and the leasees and their customers had to use a different set. Then they opened them up (so they wouldn't have to go as far?) The customers tend toward angry and frustrated. The signage the building management puts in is getting increasingly specific and alarming.

[cesy]

Well, some cultures would squat over the toilet instead of sitting on it - we had toilet seats broken at work from people doing that. Some cultures would throw the toilet paper in the bin instead of the toilet, to avoid blocking pipes, and if you can't find the bin, using the floor is better than blocking the toilet. If you're used to that kind of thing, some of those guidelines make sense as being needed.

[bryangb]

The toilet paper thing isn't just cultural - as you say, in some places the plumbing isn't up to handling even loo roll. I once managed to block the loos in an Estonian dorm when I absent-mindedly dropped the paper down the pan & flushed. 😖

[fred_mouse]

I've worked in two buildings with that kind of instruction set. At least yours doesn't have the twee rhyme "If you sprinkle where you tinkle, be a sweetie, wipe the seat", which drove me up the wall because the *rhyme was wrong*.

[telegramsam]

I've always seen the version "if you sprinkle when you tinkle, please *be sweet* and wipe the seat"

I mean.... how do you mess THAT up.

But it is sort of Dolores Umbridge style passive-aggressive twee, yes...

[fred_mouse]

Yes! Or the way that River Song says sweetie.

[marymac]

I had to make far, far too specific signage back in my office manager days for exactly the same reasons. All the female staff had at least a Master's if not a PhD each, the prime suspect's being in epidemiology, no less.

Also had a hilarious conversation between the staff member from a chronically drought stricken region and the cleaner which culminated in "Love, never in the history of Ireland have we been so stuck for water you couldn't flush loo".

[perennialanna]

I used to type for the Food Safety team (well, for them and the rest of Environmental Health). The state of their mugs was something to behold, not to mention their habit of storing their sandwiches in the fridge also used for suspect samples awaiting analysis.

[silveradept]

The signage is very useful. And also, very emphatic.