Skinny Emmie Rant: Bathrooms

October 23, 2009

Bathroom Stalls

Bathroom Stalls

This might be a weird thing to rant about, but can I tell you how much I hate bathroom stalls? I mean, HATE.

Listen y’all, I’m a big girl. Thankfully not as big as I once was, but still way bigger than a lot of people. One of the most disgusting things about being big? Having to go into a bathroom stall that is about as wide as my hips. In completely random Skinny Emmie fashion, here are my gripes:

  • The too-small stall: This encompasses about 95% of my stall complaints. Some stalls are just simply too small. I can barely wedge myself in enough to shut the door to the stall, then when it’s time to squat, my outer thighs and hips come dangerously close to the sides of the stall, toilet paper holder, and/or tampon/pad dispenser. DISGUSTING. I feel like I should Purell the hell out of my upper legs when that happens.
  • The wide-but-off-centered stall: This is the most ironic stall, and it’s almost the most frustrating. You see a row of stalls, and find one that is a little wider than the others. You go to sit down (or squat if you prefer), and suddenly you realize the toilet is RIGHTupAGAINSTtheWALL (or toilet paper dispenser). It’s such a damn tease- “haha big stall but u still can’t fit” Mother trucker.
  • The bar stall: So all bar bathrooms are disgusting. Being bigger, it’s hard to squat. Being bigger, it’s hard to fit in stalls. Combine the bigger with the squatting plus the unpleasantries of the floor that could be covered with god-knows-what makes the bar stall one of the most revolting places to have to go. Could be a good reason why I avoid bars. Cause goodness knows I love alcohol. I almost considered putting the Cheapside stall in a bullet point of it’s own, but stopped since not everyone will be able to relate to that one. Lets just say 2 toilets in 1 stall. WTF?
  • The porta-potty: Ok, I know most people hate the porta-potty. But Skinny Emmie? Aw hell no. Typically, I can avoid the porta-potty by being in places I know have alternative toilets, even if they’re small stalls. I’ll even take a big off-centered stall before a porta-potty. Not only do they smell. Not only have a million people relieved themselves in there. Not only have many people missed the seat and you’re standing in god-knows-what. They are so damn small! AND! Those plastic things could tip over with the weight of a big girl trying to shimmy up her skinny leg jeans after a go at it! Last time I encountered the porta-potty a couple months ago, there was NO alternative. It was a bourbon festival and all they had were rows of porta-potties. They didn’t even have the pink ones for girls- it was all blue, baby. I had to have a friend stand guard in case the damn thing started tipping or rocking. Not like she could do anything to stop it. All I could imagine was me trying to get my damn jeans up, being a little tipsy, and getting off balance and causing a porta-potty domino that would have destroyed my life forever. Thankfully it didn’t happen, but I didn’t want to leave the comfort of my own home and toilets for a while after that.
  • The handicap mecca: As far as public stalls go, the handicap stall is like the mecca for a big person. But you’re not really supposed to use it because it’s for handicap people. Or people with babies using the diaper table. But I admit, I use the handicap stall if there isn’t anyone else in the bathroom. Or at work, because no one on the floor I work on is handicapped.
  • The airport bathroom stall: When they built airport bathroom stalls, why did they not consider that you need to get your luggage in there with you? If it’s against regulations to keep the damn bag unattended, you have no choice but to haul the damn thing in the stall with you. And if you’re big and have a big bag? Forget about it!!!
  • The airplane bathroom stall: Must I even explain this one? I flat out can’t fit. Thank goodness my favorite girl crush Ruby also pointed this point out on her show.

Someone please tell me I’m not the only crazy person who has these problems!?

  • http://singwithoutareason.blogspot.com/ Natasha

    A-men.

    That’s all.
    .-= Natasha´s last blog ..You can go your own way (go your own way) =-.

  • http://singwithoutareason.blogspot.com Natasha

    A-men.

    That’s all.
    .-= Natasha´s last blog ..You can go your own way (go your own way) =-.

  • http://onenerveleft.blogspot.com/ Lizz B

    I couldn’t finish this. I blacked out after the visual of the portopotty dominos.

    *dies*

    (kidding, I did finish it, but still….*dies*)
    .-= Lizz B´s last blog ..Farewell to Fat Friday – Where I Almost Cried…. =-.

  • http://onenerveleft.blogspot.com Lizz B

    I couldn’t finish this. I blacked out after the visual of the portopotty dominos.

    *dies*

    (kidding, I did finish it, but still….*dies*)
    .-= Lizz B´s last blog ..Farewell to Fat Friday – Where I Almost Cried…. =-.

  • http://heatherwherever.blogspot.com/ Heather

    I haven’t been to Cheapside in ages; probably two or three years. Lived there in my mid-late twenties. When I drive past there now, I get so nostalgic, and want to stop in for one of those fabulous Pink Prozac cocktails. Now, you’ve reminded me why that isn’t as charming an idea as it seemed in my warm, fuzzy memory…

  • http://heatherwherever.blogspot.com Heather

    I haven’t been to Cheapside in ages; probably two or three years. Lived there in my mid-late twenties. When I drive past there now, I get so nostalgic, and want to stop in for one of those fabulous Pink Prozac cocktails. Now, you’ve reminded me why that isn’t as charming an idea as it seemed in my warm, fuzzy memory…

  • http://alithinks.com/totallyali Alison

    I had to laugh at your Cheapside comment. I don’t go there often, but went a couple of weeks ago and was all “Oh yeah, here are those weird stalls!” It’s like a mommy-daughter bathroom or something.
    .-= Alison´s last blog ..Technical Difficulties =-.

  • http://alithinks.com/totallyali Alison

    I had to laugh at your Cheapside comment. I don’t go there often, but went a couple of weeks ago and was all “Oh yeah, here are those weird stalls!” It’s like a mommy-daughter bathroom or something.
    .-= Alison´s last blog ..Technical Difficulties =-.

  • http://lifeshouldbestereo.wordpress.com/ Daniele

    AMEN SISTER! You are so right.
    .-= Daniele´s last blog ..Day 1 =-.

  • http://lifeshouldbestereo.wordpress.com/ Daniele

    AMEN SISTER! You are so right.
    .-= Daniele´s last blog ..Day 1 =-.

  • http://www.tudor-rosy.blogspot.com/ Tudor Rose

    Word.

    The airport bit especially cracked me up, as I have had to fly twice in the past few months and had that thought both times while at the airport.
    .-= Tudor Rose´s last blog ..don’t dream it, be it =-.

  • http://www.tudor-rosy.blogspot.com Tudor Rose

    Word.

    The airport bit especially cracked me up, as I have had to fly twice in the past few months and had that thought both times while at the airport.
    .-= Tudor Rose´s last blog ..don’t dream it, be it =-.

  • Christina Noll

    This cracked me up and is so true! Why are the stalls so small?? I almost got stuck in a stall at Rincon once because I walked in and then couldn’t turn around to sit on the toilet because there was not enough room to turn with my belly. (I was 9 months pregnant at the time) I ended up having to back out of the stall, turn around and then back myself into the stall in order to use it.

  • Christina Noll

    This cracked me up and is so true! Why are the stalls so small?? I almost got stuck in a stall at Rincon once because I walked in and then couldn’t turn around to sit on the toilet because there was not enough room to turn with my belly. (I was 9 months pregnant at the time) I ended up having to back out of the stall, turn around and then back myself into the stall in order to use it.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-18340-Lexington-Pop-Culture-Examiner Whitney

    The Cheapside Stall… It does nothing but anger me. I mean, I GET that people like to pee together when drinking. I’m guilty of it at times… but come ON! Two for one? Is it supposed to reduce waiting because if anything I just piss other people off when I’m like, “Sorry, I’m peeing alone…”

    *Sigh… It’s one of the main reasons I don’t like Cheapsides and very rarely go there.
    .-= Whitney ´s last blog ..A Short Circuit Remake? The movie gods are not going to be happy. =-.

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-18340-Lexington-Pop-Culture-Examiner Whitney

    The Cheapside Stall… It does nothing but anger me. I mean, I GET that people like to pee together when drinking. I’m guilty of it at times… but come ON! Two for one? Is it supposed to reduce waiting because if anything I just piss other people off when I’m like, “Sorry, I’m peeing alone…”

    *Sigh… It’s one of the main reasons I don’t like Cheapsides and very rarely go there.
    .-= Whitney ´s last blog ..A Short Circuit Remake? The movie gods are not going to be happy. =-.

  • http://www.bigsislilsis.com/ BigSis

    I’m SO with you about the airplane restrooms. They are beyond tiny and just yukky! I’m always amazed that women are able to change babies’ diapers in there without the baby ending up in the toilet, the sink or the on the floor!
    .-= BigSis´s last blog ..Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness =-.

  • http://www.bigsislilsis.com BigSis

    I’m SO with you about the airplane restrooms. They are beyond tiny and just yukky! I’m always amazed that women are able to change babies’ diapers in there without the baby ending up in the toilet, the sink or the on the floor!
    .-= BigSis´s last blog ..Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness =-.

  • JoyfulWun

    I don’t get the whole you’re-not-supposed-to-use-the-handicapped-stall thing? I mean handicapped folks don’t have a corner on making water. Just because one is AVAILABLE for their use doesn’t mean it’s RESERVED for their use, you know? Just use the dang thing and in the unlikely event that someone in a wheelchair shows up, give them next crack at it.

  • JoyfulWun

    I don’t get the whole you’re-not-supposed-to-use-the-handicapped-stall thing? I mean handicapped folks don’t have a corner on making water. Just because one is AVAILABLE for their use doesn’t mean it’s RESERVED for their use, you know? Just use the dang thing and in the unlikely event that someone in a wheelchair shows up, give them next crack at it.

  • http://www.mybuildingmaterials.net/ steve the plumber

    Skinny Emmie Rant: Bathrooms

    Thanks for sharing

  • http://www.mybuildingmaterials.net/ steve the plumber

    Skinny Emmie Rant: Bathrooms

    Thanks for sharing

  • http://www.mybuildingmaterials.net/ cheap bathrooms

    Skinny Emmie Rant: Bathrooms

    Function over form!

  • http://www.mybuildingmaterials.net/ cheap bathrooms

    Skinny Emmie Rant: Bathrooms

    Function over form!

  • http://www.lamidge.com/ Brittney

    OMG. You kill me LOL. I hate the off-centered. My husband and I always road trip around places and it never fails that we’ll find the one restroom that has a perfectly wide stall, but the toilet itself is completely off mark. You sit down, and while one leg has miles to stretch, the other is smashed in between the dispenser and the toilet itself.

    It makes you go, REALLY? Who DIDN’T notice this during install? lol
    .-= Brittney´s last blog ..I might have just become queen of the internet. =-.

  • http://www.lamidge.com Brittney

    OMG. You kill me LOL. I hate the off-centered. My husband and I always road trip around places and it never fails that we’ll find the one restroom that has a perfectly wide stall, but the toilet itself is completely off mark. You sit down, and while one leg has miles to stretch, the other is smashed in between the dispenser and the toilet itself.

    It makes you go, REALLY? Who DIDN’T notice this during install? lol
    .-= Brittney´s last blog ..I might have just become queen of the internet. =-.

  • Karry

    I agree on all points Emmie! The only thing I don't agree about is this: Handicapped bathroom stalls or anything else handicapped for that matter is to provide access to basic amenities for people with special needs – they aren't reserved solely for the use of people with handicaps. If the stall is empty we should all feel free to use it guilt free.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Great point Karry. I appreciate you adding perspective. In some ways, it's
    like I don't want to admit that I might be “handicapped” in any way or need
    to use “special needs” facilities. Know what I mean?

  • Pingback: Biggest Loser Audition Letdown — Skinny Emmie

Previous post:

Next post: