Sloppy Joe’s Leftovers
The weather is getting much cooler, so after a long walk from my home to campus, I found myself in urgent need of the restroom. Luckily, there is a restroom just across from our graduate workspace. I rushed in, but was utterly horrified at the site staring up at me: urine.
It wasn’t just a drop here or there, but pools of it all around the toilet seat.
I looked down at my feet, hoping I hadn’t stepped in anything either–I was only inches away from a puddle that could have been water or urine, but the tile is discolored and makes it hard to tell.
I proceeded to clean it up with wads of toilet paper standing as far away from the toilet as possible, all the while thinking of who the culprit could be. I had to assume it was a man because, honestly, if I thought it was a woman I might have cried.
But this brings me to an interesting topic about bathroom etiquette in Islam. You will rarely find the home of a Muslim with any hint of urine. I’ll concentrate on why by focusing only on the men for now. Muslim men are strongly advised to use the restroom while sitting. The reason being that standing during urination can cause spatter, thus allowing impurities to touch the body and clothes, which will later invalidate any prayers made. Standing during urination is allowed only if the person can guarantee that no impurities will touch the body or clothes. The action of sitting, however, can reduce the likelihood of this happening. Islam also requires its followers to clean themselves with water (you may have noticed a cup or some type of water receptacle in the bathrooms of your Muslim friends, and this is why). This is equivalent to the idea of a “bidet.”
I’ve been used to finding restrooms with urine on or around toilets, but never have I witnessed anything quite like this. Whoever is responsible apparently does not care about the next person who will use the restroom, was completely ignorant of what had just happened, and probably had a large number of impurities on his clothes. I’m not even sure he washed his hands. *Shudder*
Feel free to share your unpleasant experiences with Sloppy Joes.
You would think that people would be a little more considerate of the fact that others are using the same toilets day-in and day-out.
i just don’t like the idea of one public toilet commonly used by both men and women.these should always be separate.
Congratulations! You made a gross topic funny & educational
I love this post. It was my understanding that only men’s restrooms were filthy and disgusting. I remember going over a year at Attucks without ever once using the bathroom at school. I would wait until the last possible minute at home, then onto the bus stop, abstain from any excess liquids for 7 hours and rush home to use the bathroom again. I can’t begin to imagine the horrors of the A.M.S. facilities.
I remember keeping away from the restrooms in middle school and high school. I finally lost this battle sometime during 11th grade. I expect better in a university setting.
Sitting down to pee is also healthier on your bladder and prostrate(this one is for all you men out there) BY sitting down you disengage more muscles in the lower portion of your body thereby allowing a more relaxed flow(ahem) Also when you sit down the upward push on your bladder allows a more complete evacuation(ahem) of your bladder…..
Now you know I want to know who that was!
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Great lesson, though. Very interesting. I know of a few other cultures that practice the same level of cleanliness as well.
America is catching on with the idea–people can now purchase premoistened adult wipes. We have been using them on babies for a long time, so I’m glad adults are joining in.
I shall have my eye out for all bathroom culprits! Justice!
Good job on this one! I am glad for 2 things: 1.) I didn’t have to witness such a restroom and 2.) I wasn’t out in the public reading this because I would appear to be a laughing maniac.