So Stupid but so horrible!

[neesy]

Does anyone else fear going into the public toilets at work (where they have a gap at the top and bottom of each cubicle) and worry that someone is going to go into the next cubicle and throw up! Every single time I go into the toilet, I worry that this is going to happen and I rush and panic when somebody does come in!


I feel so stupid when I behave like this but I cannot help it.


I have been an emet for about 30 years and I am 40!

[SimplyMe]

You'renot stupid, I think about it. But I use them anyhow because well, ya gotta pee ya gotta pee lol. Seriously tho, have you used the end one so there's a wall on one side? that's what I try to do even tho it isn't always possible. Public restrooms gross out nonemets so don't feel bad!

[crimgoddess]

I usually take the first stall- because statistically that is that people are less likely to use [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]. According to research, people are more likely to take the last stalls in the line- so being in the first one makes it more likely to not only be cleaner, but that no one will take the stall next to yours (of course, if there is a small amount of stalls, I'm assuming it won't make much of a difference).


Man, I want to know WHO is doing these studies on bathroom behaviour- stuff like this fascinates me.


Neesy- In your 30 years of being emet- have you ever heard anyone vomitting in the stall next to you at a public washroom? Even if it had happened once or twice- in all the bathroom trips in 30 years, that is a very VERY small percentage. even if it did happen- you would always be able to leave- its not like you are duct taped inside the stall. It's happened to me before when I used to work at the mall- seriously shook me up.....but I yanked my pants up and got out of there. Didn't even wash my hands- did that at work. So I say don't worry about it unless it actually happens


*amber*

[neesy]

Hi Amber


Thanks for that - I know not to worry about it unless it happens - but it is the first thing I think about as soon as someone comes into the toilets! Its all part of the phobia I suppose! There are so many silly things that I do and don't do because of this phobia and silly things I worry about. I have got better in my thoughts but unfortunately they are still there. I have learned to tell myself not to be so silly!


But you are absolutely right - it has never happened in the 30 years I have had this phobia so it isnt likely to is it!





Neesy

[suze]

I always go into the first stall too...! I've never heard anyone v* in the toilet next to me, but I have seen v* in a toilet so itdoes happen. I've also had friends who have v*d in work, but thankfully I've never seen or heard it. I'm in my 40th year (ouch, I feel and of course, look! LOL, 19!) so it isn't something that can happen often otherwise I imagine I would have witnessed something in all these years.

[crimgoddess]

<<I have seen v* in a toilet so itdoes happen>>


Seriously- WHY OH WHY would you not flush? Common courtesy people, whether it's a little tinkle or a little vomit.


<<it is the first thing I think about as soon as someone comes into the toilets! Its all part of the phobia I suppose! There are so many silly things that I do and don't do because of this phobia and silly things I worry about. I have got better in my thoughts but unfortunately they are still there. I have learned to tell myself not to be so silly! >>>


Yep- part and parcel of this phobia are irrational fears. I often find myself worrying about stupid stuff that has no grounding in reality. For instance-if I'm on public transportation and someone who looks to be under 16 sits next to me, I worry that they are going to vomit because they may not know when they are going to! Sometimes, I just want to slap myself!


*amber*

[neesy]

Eaxclty that - but isnt it always weird how we can pick out someone who looks ill out of a crowd of people! I have passed out before in the past because I was on a very packed train and the person sitting opposite me kept sighing and saying to her friend that she didnt feel great!


I panicked! I started having a panic attack inwardly (nobody would have known), got very hot and sweaty etc etc, worked myself up because I couldnt move away from the situation because it was so packed - well the girl wasnt sick she just felt hot and bothered, but by the time I got off the train, I started walking up the platform and passed out! GREAT huh! This was about 15 years ago, but I am sure it would still happen today if I couldnt get away from the situation!


I don't worry about older children eg over 10 I suppose, but young children I do not sit near on any form of public transport!

[1987porsche944]

Man, I want to know WHO is doing these studies on bathroom behaviour- stuff like this fascinates me.


*amber*

LOL. Even more disturbing than that is, I read the same study!!! [img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]And I always use the first stall as well.


Only once did I ever have someone v* next to me in a stall, and it was a co-worker who was pregnant, she even apologized to the whole bathroom firsthand and sounded so upset - it still bothered me, but I know she was totally embarassed about it, so tried to offer some help. When she said no, I tore out of there so fast, ha ha.

[tabycat]

well yeah it's happened to me on a few occasions...it's not a fun experience. I'm new here this is my first post, well yeah. Just thought tha tI would share my insights, I usually book it out as fast as possible