Hello Alan Jones and George Michael if you just Googled those words and dropped in to this site by mistake. 

I have never been a fan of public toilets.  In fact, to date I have tried to avoid them wherever possible.  It’s not publictoiletphobia as such, just a dislike.  I have tried to pinpoint why – it could stem back to being a small child and being berated by my mother, “You should have gone before we left!”  It could have been that time as a teen at the movies when the person at the urinal next to be was masturbating (I don’t think he was a radio broadcaster).  But I think it is more a case of simple personal hygiene.

I will be honest here and say that I have not always washed my hands after urinating, especially in public toilets.  Not only have I just been touching what should be the cleanest and most sacred part of my body, strangers have been using the wash basins.  I understand that I get to wash my hands after turning on the tap, but then I have to turn it off again!

Having MS has to change your attitude towards public toilets.  I now quite like them!  And I do wash my hands!!  I do, however, try to exit by pushing on a less-used part of the swing door, and hope that not every person exiting has that same thought.  Most MS sufferers know where every public toilet in town is.  It may not be because of ‘urgency’ of need, but it does give a sense of security when out and about.

Supermarkets have them, restaurants and bars have them, shopping malls have them, libraries have them and so do fast food outlets (and they always keep them pretty clean!).  If you need to use one at Maccas and get told that the toilets are for diners only, just tell them that the last time you bought a burger you didn’t have a pee, so it all worked out just fine on balance. 

And, if travelling overseas, find out the local custom for public toilets.  In some countries you have to pay for the privilege.

Footnote:  I once found myself at a urinal next to Reverend Fred Nile and I will own up to wanting to take a ‘peek’.  I didn’t of course, side-glancing at urinals just isn’t right, but I was curious as to whether it was more a baby’s arm or a peanut in a bird’s nest.  Just a feeling that it had to be ‘extreme’.

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