office toilet

Most of us have our routines ready before we leave for work. We watch the early morning news while eating breakfast, then sleepwalk to the bathroom, take a marathon bath, and do our little business to keep the plumbing free and easy.

Some days, for a variety of reasons, we are unsuccessful in our sittings on the throne. So we arrive at the office, a bit anxious, and in the course of the day we feel the urge. In my case, I'm pregnant, so I have a little bit more difficulty than the average person.

I used to work in a school. Oh, the misery of it all. You check out the ladies' room in all floors, hoping for one that is not crowded, hoping that the flushes work, and (dear God) that there is water supply. Even then, you cannot concentrate on the business at hand when a crowd of students would come giggling, bang the cubicle doors open and shut, and comment on what's taking the occupant so long. You cannot lock the whole toilet for a few peaceful minutes, because then the students would wonder, and call the Facilities Office for someone to open the door.

In the office, the toilets are generally more pleasant. There is very light traffic the whole day, and no one would wonder aloud why you are inside the cubicle for half an hour. You can even strain and groan in relative privacy. If you're lucky, the office toilet has plenty of toilet paper, and the bowl automatically dispenses a spray of something that smells like disinfectant when you've unloaded something unpleasant. So the scent doesn't linger. If you're very lucky, the sinks have liquid soap and a hand dryer.

My daughter has this queer habit of checking out toilets. The moment we step inside the mall, or sit down at a fastfood or restaurant, she would tell me she needs to go to the bathroom. When I ask if it could wait, of course she reaaally has to go. So we go. More often than not, she'd give just a little tinkle, then announce the verdict. Stinky toilet, no water, locks don't work, no hook for placing Mama's bag. I have become a fan of eating places on the basis of which one has the most pleasant toilet according to my daughter. My daughter even insists that we write it down on the little survey forms they give you at the end of the meal.

Needless to say, the toilet in my current office received good points from my daughter, because there were plants on the sink, thick paper towels to dry your hands on, and liquid soap that smells like bananas.