Societal Norms

I had an interesting thing happen recently at the hospital. During the visit to Eric, I needed to run to the restroom.  I use the word “run” in the true sense. If you are in the fifty-year-old age range – you get the reference. If not, just know that eventually, you don’t take chances when your body tells you there is a need to relieve yourself.  When the bladder calls…you walk swiftly to the nearest restroom. Lingering could create a need for a clothing change and upholstery cleaner.

After walking swiftly to the restroom, I was faced with an open door and yellow “Caution – Wet Floor” sign.  A woman stood right outside the entrance with her hand on a utility cart.  She glanced up from her phone, and eyed me warily, daring me to step on her freshly mopped floor. I thought about explaining to her that she might have to mop a larger area if she made me wait, but I’m ultimately pretty polite and decided not to bother her with my bladder issues.

A younger woman walked up…looked at the restrooms situation and then looked at me like I was crazy.  “Use the men’s”, she said. “mmmm….Ok..will you wait outside in case a man walks up?” I replied. She shrugged and said “No problem”.  I went in, happy to not leave a puddle on the floor, and shut the door. The wary woman with the utility cart didn’t even look up.  When I came back out, my new younger friend walked in. She said, “you don’t need to wait. I don’t care who knows I’m in here.” I was impressed with her confidence and effortless acquisition of the men’s room.  I was less impressed with my willingness to potentially pee on the floor rather than do the same.

Now, afterward, I was wondering….why did I need the suggestion? What keeps me from ever wanting to shift away from my preconceived societal expectations? Is it a Baby-Boomer thing? Or just a “me” thing? I realized that I get oddly annoyed with people that break the normal “rules” of society. The best example is getting on the freeway when lanes are merging. I can actually hear myself speaking out loud – “IT’S LIKE A ZIPPER, PEOPLE…ONE FROM EACH LANE – STOP TRYING TO CUT!”

My hope is that I will react differently if faced with this situation again. Sometimes, I go overboard when I’m trying to change something so my hope is that I don’t see the “Caution – Wet Floor” sign and just charge into the Men’s room – potentially frightening some poor man relieving himself.  I do hope, however, that I use some common sense next time. If there a toilet open…and I need to pee…it doesn’t matter where it is…it’s better than the floor!