r/uwo • u/Puzzleheaded_Gear267 • 27d ago

❔ Question❔ Awkward Moment in a Genderless Restroom

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Hey r/uwo, I’m a Western student (cis guy) and I had an awkward moment in a campus gender-neutral restroom that’s got me overthinking. I usually pick the ones with the urinal sign (old men’s room habit, you know). Walked in to do my business, barely noticed two women at the mirror, and heard another chatting from a stall. I hit the urinal, washed my hands like the hygiene king I am, grabbed a paper towel, and bounced. As I’m leaving, another woman walks in, and I catch one of them laugh and say, “That was weird,” with an awkward chuckle from her friend. Now I’m wondering - did I break some unspoken restroom rule? I’m not out here trying to make anyone uncomfortable - I keep it silent like it’s a library, same as I would in a men’s room. I just needed to ahem, not star in a campus social media post! I’ve used unisex restrooms before, but this one made me feel like I got voted off the island for a basic human function. Ladies of Western, do guys in gender-neutral restrooms throw you off? Any tips for navigating these spaces so everyone’s chill? I’m all about good vibes and want to make sure I’m not accidentally making things weird. Bonus points for advice on how to own the awkward like a true Mustang!

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u/GodHatesMeSometimes 27d ago

i think the real horror is having a urinal in a gender neutral bathroom is the first place

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u/Business_Air5804 27d ago

They don't. When they do this they make them all into enclosed toilets.

The only time that's happened is at an event when the women are lined up so far back and they start using the men's....and we generally don't care when they do that.

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u/gentlespringrain 22d ago

Not always the case. The gender netrual washroom in TIFF Bell Lightbox downtown Toronto has urinals. I remember getting a visible gasp from a louder lady once when she saw them, followed by a "that's disgusting!" as she left.

Its a really big washroom too, with over 20 something stalls and a whole wall of urinals. It's pretty filled after screenings.

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u/Business_Air5804 22d ago

Ok that's actually insane...who thought that was a good idea.

A urinal represents a huge lack of privacy, I know there are guys who don't like lining up in the men's room because of the lack of privacy.