15 Things People Do in Public Restrooms That Nobody Admits To
Public restrooms are a part of everyday life, yet what actually happens inside them is rarely discussed. Behind closed stall doors, people have all sorts of habits and quirks that they keep to themselves.
Whether it’s how people pass time or the strange things they do, there’s a lot more happening than most people admit. This article will take you through some of the most common, but rarely talked about, actions people do in public restrooms.
You probably grab your phone to check social media when you’re in a public restroom. It feels like a good way to pass the time and avoid awkward silence.
Many people spend several minutes scrolling through posts or watching videos. It’s easy to get caught up and forget how long you’ve been sitting there.
But sitting too long on the toilet while scrolling can increase your chance of getting hemorrhoids. Studies show that those who scroll on their phones during bathroom breaks are more likely to have this problem.
Also, your phone can carry germs from the restroom. Touching your phone without washing your hands first might spread bacteria later.
It’s a good idea to limit how long you stay seated. Try to use your phone before or after your bathroom visit instead.
Remember to clean your hands and your phone often. This keeps both you and your phone healthier while you enjoy those quick social media breaks.
Avoiding eye contact with others at the sinks
When you wash your hands in a public restroom, you might find yourself looking down or away from others. It’s common to avoid eye contact while standing at the sinks.
Some people feel awkward or shy in these close spaces. Looking away can help you feel less exposed.
It also gives you a little mental break from the social pressure of being around strangers. Sometimes, it’s about keeping the moment simple and quick.
If you do accidentally meet someone’s eyes, a small nod or smile is a friendly way to acknowledge them without making it too personal. This little gesture can make the shared space feel nicer while still keeping things respectful.
Holding your breath while flushing
You probably hold your breath when you flush a public toilet. It’s a common reaction to avoid breathing in germs that might get sprayed around.
Flushing can cause tiny droplets to fly into the air. These droplets may carry bacteria or viruses from the toilet bowl.
Holding your breath feels like a simple way to protect yourself. Even if it helps a little, washing your hands well after using the restroom is more important.
This removes germs better than just holding your breath for a few seconds. So, don’t forget soap and water!
Pretending to be on a phone call to avoid conversation
Sometimes, you might find yourself in a restroom where you don’t want to talk to anyone. Pretending to be on a phone call is a quick way to avoid awkward conversations.
You just hold your phone up and act like you’re busy. You might fake dialing a number or even start a fake conversation to look convincing.
Some people wait a few seconds to let the phone “ring” before speaking. This small trick helps create a barrier between you and others.
Using your phone like this can make you feel more comfortable if you want privacy or just want to be left alone. Plus, most people understand this silent signal and won’t bother you.
Using paper towels to open the door after washing hands
After you wash your hands, you might reach for a paper towel to open the bathroom door. This is a small way to keep your hands clean since door handles can be covered in germs from many people.
Using a paper towel acts as a barrier between your clean hands and the door handle. It helps stop germs from getting back on your hands right after you wash them.
You can also use the paper towel to turn off the faucet. This stops you from touching surfaces that might still have germs.
If no paper towels are available, you might use other methods like your elbow or your shirt sleeve. These options help, but a paper towel is often the easiest and most effective choice.
It’s a simple step that many people quietly do to feel safer.
Listening closely to the sounds from adjacent stalls
When you’re using a public restroom, you might catch yourself paying attention to the noises coming from the stalls next to you. It’s natural to listen, even if you don’t realize it.
Sounds like flushing, footsteps, or the rustle of paper can give clues about who is nearby. Sometimes you might try to guess what’s happening in the next stall.
You may even notice when someone finishes quickly or stays for a long time. This small act of listening helps you feel more aware of your space.
You might also catch sounds that tell you when a stall is about to become free. This lets you prepare to move or decide if you want to wait.
Doing a quick mirror check to fix your hair or makeup
You probably glance at the mirror right after washing your hands. It’s an easy way to make sure your hair isn’t messy or your makeup looks okay.
Sometimes, you just want to feel a little more put together before heading back out. A quick fix can be anything from smoothing down a stray hair to checking if your lipstick is still in place.
Many people do this to make sure they look their best in a simple, small way. Mirrors in restrooms are often your last stop for a fast self-check.
Whether you want to reapply a bit of makeup or adjust your hair, this helps you feel more confident. This little habit is normal, even if no one talks about it.
Talking to yourself quietly while washing hands
You might find yourself quietly talking to your reflection as you wash your hands. It’s a common habit that many people don’t admit to, but it can help you focus or feel calmer.
Sometimes, you use this little self-talk to remind yourself about what’s next or just to check in with your thoughts. It’s a way to stay present in a busy or noisy place.
Talking to yourself softly can also make a boring moment feel less dull. If you notice others doing the same, you’re not alone.
Hovering above the toilet seat instead of sitting
You might hover over the toilet seat because you worry about germs. It feels cleaner not to touch the seat, especially in public restrooms.
But hovering can actually cause problems for your body. When you hover, you use extra muscles in your legs and pelvic area.
This can lead to strain and make it harder to fully empty your bladder. Over time, this might cause bladder issues or discomfort.
Sitting down is usually the safest and healthiest option. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can put a toilet seat cover or wipe the seat with an alcohol wipe first.
Try to remind yourself that toilet seats rarely carry harmful germs in a way that affects healthy people. The chance of catching something from sitting is low.
Avoiding the middle urinal to keep distance
When you walk into a restroom with several urinals, you might notice most people avoid the one in the middle. This is not just a random choice but a way to keep some personal space and privacy.
If you choose a side urinal, it helps create distance between you and the next person. Using the middle urinal can feel uncomfortable if others are waiting.
People usually prefer to stand farther apart to avoid awkwardness. So, by picking a urinal on the side, you make everyone feel a bit more at ease.
If the restroom is busy and only the middle urinal is available, don’t worry. Just use it calmly, and keep your focus forward.
Washing hands multiple times to feel clean
You might find yourself washing your hands more than once in a public restroom. Sometimes, it feels like one wash is just not enough to get rid of all the germs.
This can happen because you want to feel extra clean and safe. It’s normal to want your hands to feel fresh, especially after using a public bathroom.
However, washing hands too many times can dry out your skin and cause irritation. It doesn’t make your hands any cleaner than washing once with soap and water.
The key is to wash properly the first time. Use soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds, and rinse well under running water.
Standing awkwardly when there’s only one stall left
When you walk into a public restroom and see only one stall open, it often feels uncomfortable. You may find yourself standing just outside, shifting your weight or looking around, unsure of what to do next.
This awkward standing is a mix of waiting and hoping the person inside doesn’t take too long. You might try to keep busy by checking your phone or avoiding eye contact with others nearby.
Sometimes, standing close to the stall can feel a bit tense. You want privacy but also want to be ready when the stall is free.
If someone else walks in, you both might start doing the same awkward shuffle dance—hoping one of you leaves first or chooses a different restroom.
Sneaking a peek under stall doors out of curiosity
You might have found yourself glancing under a bathroom stall door just to see what’s happening. It’s a common thing, even if people don’t talk about it.
The gaps under stall doors make it easy to sneak a quick peek. Sometimes, you’re just curious or checking if the next stall is free.
Other times, you might want to know if someone is taking too long. These little gaps invite that kind of behavior more than you realize.
While it might seem harmless, peeking can make others feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Public restroom stalls are meant to offer privacy, but those wide gaps take away some of that feeling.
If you catch someone looking under your stall, you might feel awkward or want to leave fast. It’s normal to react that way since your privacy feels invaded.
Playing music or videos on headphones to drown out noise
You might put on music or videos with your headphones when using a public restroom. It helps block out awkward sounds or noises around you.
This can make the experience feel less uncomfortable. Using headphones also gives you a bit of privacy.
It lets you focus on something else instead of the sounds in the restroom. Many people pick songs, podcasts, or even funny videos to distract themselves.
This small habit can make a noisy or busy restroom much easier to handle. If the restroom is very loud, noise-canceling headphones work well.
They reduce background noise without needing to play music loudly. Playing music or videos on your headphones is a simple way to cope with the noises nobody talks about in public restrooms.
Watching for someone approaching before exiting quickly
You might find yourself glancing toward the door before you leave a public restroom. It’s a common habit to check if someone is coming in or waiting.
Sometimes, you hurry out as soon as the coast looks clear. It can feel more comfortable to avoid awkward encounters or crowded hallways.
You might also slow down your pace if you see someone nearby. It’s natural to want some privacy before stepping back into a busy space.
Watching for others before leaving is just one way many people handle public restrooms quietly. You’re not alone in this subtle, everyday action.
