Urinal-Alysis: Scope and Ground

Here is an excerpt from my most recent Social Psychology paper: "The Zone of Urinal Proxemics and Discourse"



Societal norms may be defined as specific and unspoken behaviors exercised among cultures which help dictate how people act or do not act towards one another in society. These norms usually concern the disposition of the individual. Ideally, in the broader social context, large groups of individuals exhibit like dispositions so none are uncomfortable or obtrusive; in short, norms help create a sort of social consonance. The negative connotation generally associated with the concept of norms points to mass conformity. Such conformity is implicit and thought to be mostly undermining to the individual--however, in most cases, it establishes important guidelines which maintain a social order salient to its related culture.

Often times, social norms extend to specific groups within a culture (i.e., race, gender, sex, religion, etc.). For the purpose of this study, I have chosen a social norm that applies largely to men. Drawing on years of my own personal experience, coupled with the many tales I have heard from friends and acquaintances, I have chosen to breech the public bathroom etiquette that is understood by all men. Said etiquette typically involves two principles. First, the individual is to choose a urinal based solely on the criteria of proximity--that is, one chooses the urinal farthest away from one in use. Provided there are no urinals that meet this condition, one is to choose a stall unit, rather than “bridge the gap”. These are only to be filled during high-traffic times when no other option is available. Second, bathroom conversation is generally frowned upon. According to the International Center for Bathroom Etiquette, “Conversation may occur directly prior to urinal use, or directly after it, but while engaged at the urinal, verbal communication should be [nonexistent]. Furthermore, actual conversation may only occur between two individuals who entered the washroom together. Under no circumstances should you start a conversation with someone whom you simply discovered to be in the bathroom when you arrive. A simple grunt or monosyllabic word is acceptable to acknowledge the other's existence, but that is all” (ICBE Online).

With these norms extensively described, the method by which to violate them was quite apparent: choosing the closest urinal in spacial relationship to an occupied one and attempt a conversation extending beyond the realm of mere pleasantries. Two notable variables to this study: I chose a restroom with five urinals and none with partitioning walls (or privacy dividers). These are critical factors because the greater number of available units coupled with the absence of dividers greatly compounds the awkwardness of the norm violation.


The primary reaction from each subject involved was visible signs of discomfort and awkwardness. This was evidenced by continual eye-shifting and situational stance-changing; these were followed, in most instances, by audible noises (e.g., false coughing, throat clearing, etc.). The proximal factor alone caused, in every case, a great deal of unease and distress, but the added conversational attempts provoked further and more deliberate reaction. I tried to create the most open-ended conversation possible, so to elicit a more subject-involved response. I began each time with a formality and as natural as was possible (given the circumstances), such as, “How are you doing, man?” Every response I received was a short and cold one, such as “fine” or “okay”. In two out of six occasions, the individual terminated his urinal use after this first exchange alone. To the remaining four, I added, “Are you from around here?” Two responded in a low, unconfident voice; one made a close-mouthed gruntal laugh and remained silent, and the other zipped up and left without another word uttered. To the remaining two, I attempted to interject some personal information, as not to make the situation any more awkward. In both cases, the men attempted some form of reply, though did so very briefly, and both left with a “take it easy”. In all six occasions, the individuals exited the bathroom quickly without looking in the mirror, without washing their hands.