Where privacy is least respected
There are certain things in life, where privacy does not really matter all that much. Riding a train or going to the movies would feel strange, if there would not be other people around; at least when one is in a good mood. The same is true when enjoying dinner at a nice restaurant (in case that privacy matters, it is probably wise to hire a chef for rent and stay at home...). Then there are activities, where one prefers to be secretive, for example when entering the PIN into the ATM in the corner of a busy 7elven. I would also assume that many speakers do not want that their conversations are overheard.
However, there is one inevitable need of a human being, where privacy would mean a lot, yet, where privacy is not respected at all in this country: the toilet. Have you ever used a toilet in the US? For whatever reason they are built in a way that allows you to hear things you just don't want to hear. And if worst comes to worse (like in the bathroom in my office), you even see through the cracks right into the face of the person trying to relive himself (I assume the same is possible in a ladies bathroom, but I have not seen any from the inside yet...) or even better that very face is reflected in the mirror in front of the door, because the toilet is placed right behind that malicious crack that is left between the front wall and the door. Every other door would of course close tightly. Yet, this feature is not wanted for the toilet door. So every time I am washing my hands, I want to avoid eye contact with the one that is sitting right behind me. Of course, the same is true, when I am the one sitting there, desperately hoping that the man is quick and leaves me alone to mind my business.
The door's only purpose seems to be to prevent other people seeing the private parts. Other than that, there is no privacy foreseen, as the doors usually start at about 40 cm above ground (my goodness! What kind of underwear is he wearing???) and end about 1m 40 cm later (Hmm, looking at that haircut, it must be Jim who just gave enough reason to call for the biogas attack squad...). I do not want to know, what those tall basketball players can or rather have to see, when they walk by such standard US toilet booths. I really don't. But, at least at the office, these constructions have a positive side effect: they help me to burn some extra calories. Why? Because the bathroom on the third floor is considerably less used than the one on the ground floor... So my dear friends in Europe: enjoy the privacy in a place where it matters a lot. And the next time you sit there and meditate: just think of how privileged you are sitting there all by yourself and not a sole is watching... ;-)
However, there is one inevitable need of a human being, where privacy would mean a lot, yet, where privacy is not respected at all in this country: the toilet. Have you ever used a toilet in the US? For whatever reason they are built in a way that allows you to hear things you just don't want to hear. And if worst comes to worse (like in the bathroom in my office), you even see through the cracks right into the face of the person trying to relive himself (I assume the same is possible in a ladies bathroom, but I have not seen any from the inside yet...) or even better that very face is reflected in the mirror in front of the door, because the toilet is placed right behind that malicious crack that is left between the front wall and the door. Every other door would of course close tightly. Yet, this feature is not wanted for the toilet door. So every time I am washing my hands, I want to avoid eye contact with the one that is sitting right behind me. Of course, the same is true, when I am the one sitting there, desperately hoping that the man is quick and leaves me alone to mind my business.
The door's only purpose seems to be to prevent other people seeing the private parts. Other than that, there is no privacy foreseen, as the doors usually start at about 40 cm above ground (my goodness! What kind of underwear is he wearing???) and end about 1m 40 cm later (Hmm, looking at that haircut, it must be Jim who just gave enough reason to call for the biogas attack squad...). I do not want to know, what those tall basketball players can or rather have to see, when they walk by such standard US toilet booths. I really don't. But, at least at the office, these constructions have a positive side effect: they help me to burn some extra calories. Why? Because the bathroom on the third floor is considerably less used than the one on the ground floor... So my dear friends in Europe: enjoy the privacy in a place where it matters a lot. And the next time you sit there and meditate: just think of how privileged you are sitting there all by yourself and not a sole is watching... ;-)
Klodynis - 2007-02-12 01:12
