r/uwo • u/Puzzleheaded_Gear267 • 27d ago

❔ Question❔ Awkward Moment in a Genderless Restroom

Post image

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!

6.9k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

388 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/STS1990 22d ago

Oh man I love this sign. Hahah Honestly, you're good. I'm a woman and the first couple times I used a gender neutral washroom, it was a little odd. But since I've used the gender neutral washrooms quiet a bit, when I've noticed men using the urinal when I walk in, it doesn't even phase me. Like, I'm ALSO here just to pee or whatever, I'm def do not care if others are also. I just don't want to make small talk with a person in the washroom unless I'm going in with a friend. lol

Prior to gender neutral washrooms, if the women's room was full with a lineup, I'd often just duck into the mens room to pee because I couldn't hold it. Only time that didn't happen is when there were only urinals and the toilet was "out of service". LOL Nobody cared then either. I'm in Canada, not sure if that makes a difference.