Rule #3

“Beware of bathrooms”

I was walking down the main hall towards the restroom this afternoon a a co-worker stepped out of his cubical in just in front of me. As we walked down the hall I pulled along side of him on the right and said, “How’s it going?” He responded with, “Good. You?” We continued walking in tandem exchanging banal pleasantries, but as we neared the hall to the right that led to the restroom, he slowed. I sensed he was headed the same place I was, but he didn’t have the same premonition. He was trying to politely let me continue on so he could make a right turn behind me instead of cutting across in front. But I slowed too and then he knew we both going to the same place.

We were headed towards the the smaller of the two Men’s Rooms near the front office. The larger one near HR has two urinals and three stalls, but this one only has one urinal and two stalls. As I was on the inside I made the turn in the lead and cried, “I’m going to get the urinal!” with child like glee because I wasn’t going to have to make a Morton’s Fork as to whether to lift a possible germ laden seat or try and maintain an accurate stream between the narrow gap at the front of said seat.

But my co-worker was unconcerned, as he replied, “I’m just heading in to wash my hands.” Fortunately he noticed the roll of paper towels was empty before he started washing, so he exited, heading back to the other restroom. I’m kind of glad, he seemed uninfected and everything, but the bathroom is where you are most vulnerable…