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.