Flushing the toilet before you use it?

[zoidberg]

I have been wondering about this for a while, but I keep forgetting to ask.

There are several ladies at work who always flush the toilet before they use it. What is up with this? Is this something people do and I've just never noticed? What is the point?

[Jalapeñomel]

Maybe there is still shit in the toilet?

[EmilieMadison]

Are they trying to use the flush noise to cover up the sound of peeing?? Is there something IN the toilet that they're flushing first?

[papie]

The only times I do is if the asshole before me didn't flush properly. And somehow at work, it happens a lot.

[zoidberg]

They definitely flush before peeing, they walk in and flush immediately.

I don't think that it's because of remnants, because I have been working there for almost a year and A) they do it every time i'm in the bathroom and B) I have never encountered lax flushing. I mean, it could happen but it seems too frequent.

[livinitup]

They are nasty water wasters!

[Kit]

We have that too, but the flushers are automatic so idk if it is the people flushing it manually, or if they are automatically going off randomly.

[zoidberg]

May 2, 2013 10:55:21 GMT -5 livinitup said:

They are nasty water wasters!

And we live in the desert! For shame!

[Deleted]

courtesy flush: the act of flushing a toilet several times before or after defecation to reduce smells or the risk of clogs

[zoidberg]

May 2, 2013 10:56:39 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

courtesy flush: the act of flushing a toilet several times before or after defecation to reduce smells or the risk of clogs

But it's before they even sit!

[zoidberg]

I am mystified by this. It's the same 3 ladies, I have not noticed anyone else do this.

[bex1973]

They want a fresh bowl. Clearly they watched too much Ally McBeal.

[Deleted]

May 2, 2013 10:57:57 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

May 2, 2013 10:56:39 GMT -5 @fucksticklegit said:

courtesy flush: the act of flushing a toilet several times before or after defecation to reduce smells or the risk of clogs

But it's before they even sit!

Then either there's something left in the bowl, they are trying to cover up farts, or they are just plain weird.

[Kore]

May 2, 2013 10:52:10 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

I do this at my job in one specific bathroom because sometimes there is no water pressure. I want to know in advance if it won't flush.

If your toilets flush properly I can't think of anything.

Same here.

[starlily]

Someone in my office always does this too. She also washes her hands extensively immediately upon entering the restroom, rolls up her pants so they don't touch the floor, uses paper towels to touch anything, and washes her hands forever after using the restroom.

I vote weird.

[chickadee77]

I will show my age here - anyone remember Ally McBeal and her boss that always needed a "fresh bowl?" lol, he had a remote control flusher!

I do it if there's anything left, even at home, to avoid, uhm, splashback. H flushes mid-pee, which drives me nuts, and when I asked, he doesn't realize he does it. Also, being on septic, it can be a good idea to double-flush to avoid clogs. At work, though? No clue.

[JayhawkGirl]

Add me to the list of people who immediately thought of Ally McBeal

[ECB]

I've known people who do this and honestly- I think to them, it's some kind of cleanliness issue. I guess the "fresh bowl" thing. They are flushing whatever "might" be left, even if there is no obvious evidence that there is anything!

I just see it as a waste of water.

[snickers]

May 2, 2013 11:06:12 GMT -5 toledo said:

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one: these people are freaks.

My thoughts exactly.

[elleblue]

May 2, 2013 10:52:04 GMT -5 EmilieMadison said:

Are they trying to use the flush noise to cover up the sound of peeing?? Is there something IN the toilet that they're flushing first?

These are the only two explanations I can imagine for that maneuver.

[bluetopaz]

If I go into a stall and find a, um, gift of some sort in the bowl, I always flush. Not for a fresh bowl or whathaveyou, but I'm always afraid the person before me did flush and it clogged or just didn't work, and I will add to it and overflow a public toilet.

[flamingeaux]

They're probably wiping the seat off with toilet paper before they sit down. Why they flush that first I don't know, but I wipe the seat even if I don't see anything, just in case.