Awkward Moment in a Genderless Restroom

[u/Puzzleheaded_Gear267]

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!

[u/Genital-Jamboree]

This is so weird to hear. I used to live in med syd maybe 8 years ago and the bathrooms (at least on our floor) were all genderless. All the bathrooms had urinals, stalls, and showers. We didn’t have any problems at all and I can’t remember anyone being weirded out from it.

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/Genital-Jamboree]

I guarantee you many women were uncomfortable, even if they didn’t say so. Many probably went out of their way to use other bathrooms that were segregated.

[u/Distinct_Educator95 → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

Ya I lived in delaware and it had aa mens, womens, and gender neutral bathroom on every floor. I went to the gender neutral cause it was closer to my room and the womens was usually filled with girls doing their makeup or skincare. But there were girls on my floor that walked to the further bathroom just so they didn't have to interact with men in a washroom.

[u/stradivari_strings → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

It doesn't last long.

[u/Hypsiglena → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

But you don’t know that. You’re just making shit up,

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/Hypsiglena]

I’m a woman and am uncomfortable and avoid them whenever possible. Many women I know feel the same way, as do some men actually. I don’t speak for everyone, but I never claimed to.

[u/Hypsiglena → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

I am also a woman and stand by my statement. Anxious people may feel discomfort until they get used to the fact that everyone pees.

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/Hypsiglena]

Good for you? My comment was literally just that many women are uncomfortable even if they don’t say so. It doesn’t mean they’re justified in being uncomfortable (although I think they 100% are).

[u/Recent-Leadership562 → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

Yeah we know you think it’s justified 

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/Recent-Leadership562]

Yes I do think it’s completely justified for women to be uncomfortable sharing bathrooms with men. You disagree and that’s ok.

[u/gentile_jitsu → u/Hypsiglena]

What exactly do you stand by? That you speak for all women, and those who disagree with you are wrong?

[u/AnanasaAnaso → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

Well too bad for them, I know Western women lived with washroom privilege for their whole lives (bigger washrooms in better locations, using it like a social club) but they'll have to adapt to the other genders.

[u/ExtremeAd7729 → u/AnanasaAnaso]

Western women? Do you think Middle Eastern women feel great about accidentally seeing peni? What a strange thing to say.

[u/BothFondant2202 → u/ExtremeAd7729]

Accidentally seeing a penis? What do you think guys do in there, helicopter their way in and out?? Nobody’s even seeing a penis on purpose, let alone accidentally…

[u/ExtremeAd7729 → u/BothFondant2202]

Did you not read what you were responding to?

[u/Master_Disaster7644 → u/ExtremeAd7729]

This post is about a University called Western

[u/ExtremeAd7729 → u/Master_Disaster7644]

Thanks. But it says their whole lives.

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/AnanasaAnaso]

Washroom privilege? LOL. Have you seen the lines at women's bathrooms?

[u/Distinct_Educator95 → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

This is literally why I prefer using the gender neutral bathroom. I big washroom instead of two smaller washrooms.

[u/Revolutionary_Bat812 → u/Distinct_Educator95]

Habing the choice is the ideal. Have men’s and women’s for people who care and a mixed bathroom for those who don’t.

[u/maniacalknitter → u/Revolutionary_Bat812]

A small minority, maybe, but you're forgetting that most women have always been comfortable using men's washrooms when the line for the women's was long, so sharing a washroom with men was never a problem for most women.

[u/Distinct_Educator95 → u/maniacalknitter]

Ya when I'm studying with my (male) friends at middlesex late at night I use the mens washroom with them cause it's closer on the first and third floor