I went into a public restroom today and noticed what is now undeniable empirical evidence that men have evolved a totally new language used only in restrooms. But this language consists of a reversion to primitive body signals, not words.<\/p>\n
When I walked into the restroom, a man in a stall sniffed. He sniffed louder than necessary. I realized, “he is signaling to me, ‘there’s someone here in this stall.'” I can only presume that he was doing this as a courtesy to me. Perhaps he was afraid that I might break wind at the urinal, or start singing out loud thinking I was alone, and then I might be embarrassed when I did notice someone else in the stall.<\/p>\n
I have been noticing this now for a couple of years, and I am trying to piece together the rudimentary elements of the language that is developing – an anthropologists dream: to be able to witness a new form of communication developing in its natural habitat.<\/p>\n
So here for the first time, I will share with you a typical conversation using this new language with translation. I may post further advancements in future blogs as my vocabulary grows.<\/p>\n
[I walk into the men’s room and go the urinal.]<\/p>\n
Stall 1:\u00a0Sniff.\u00a0[Translation: Heads up, sir. There is someone else in this bathroom.]<\/em><\/p>\n Me:\u00a0Cough.\u00a0[Thank you, friend. I will be careful of my behavior.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0Rattles newspaper. [Splendid. Now, no need to get too friendly.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2:\u00a0Ahem, Ahem.\u00a0[I say lads, just letting you know there’s a third one here.]<\/em><\/p>\n Me:\u00a0Sniff. [Yes, I could already tell by the odor coming strongly from that stall.]\u00a0<\/em>Sigh. [If you don’t mind gents, I need to concentrate here.]<\/em><\/p>\n [Long pause.]<\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0uncomfortable silence.\u00a0[If someone would be so kind as to turn on the tap, it might stir things up a bit, ay what? Might also deliver me from some embarrassment over the terrible splashing that is about to occur.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2:\u00a0russling loudly with pants and zipper.\u00a0[One moment old chap, I’m happy to oblige. Just let me tidy up my trousers.]<\/em><\/p>\n Me:\u00a0Heavy sigh. [I bloody wish both of you wankers would get out of here so I could bloody well concentrate.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2:\u00a0especially loud flushing.\u00a0[There you are, old man! That should help things a bit. A good rushing water sound usually helps me. Better let it go fast before the flush is over. You too, stall number 1. Go ahead, I can’t hear a thing!]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0cough.\u00a0[Sir, you are a gentleman. I hope you will let me buy you a drink.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2:\u00a0clattering door latch and squeaky hinges.\u00a0[No need to thank me, old sport. I know how it can be. We’re all in this together, right-o!]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0vigorous unrolling of approx. 15 feet of toilet paper.\u00a0[If only my ex-wife and I could communicate this well, our marriage might have lasted. As it is, she’s run off to Stratford on Avon with some bloke from the banker’s office. Bloody wretched business. But as Dr. Johnson said, “a man of genius is seldom ruined but by himself.” I have to catch the trolly at 6, so let me get you that drink. What’ll you have?]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2 man at sink:\u00a0briefest possible dispensing of soap, washing, drying hands on paper towel.\u00a0[Really, there’s no need. I trust you would do the same for me.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0quick flush.\u00a0[I insist!]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 2 man exiting:\u00a0casual, relieved exit.\u00a0[very well, sir. Gin and a dash of elderflower cordial. Shot of apple juice.]<\/em><\/p>\n Stall 1:\u00a0exit briskly without washing.\u00a0[Brilliant! Make it two!]<\/em><\/p>\n me: sigh. [Great Ceasar’s ghost, finally a chap can have a bit of peace without those two yammering on.]<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I went into a public restroom today and noticed what is now undeniable empirical evidence that men have evolved a totally new language used only […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6586,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[879,1847,27,43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-humor","category-much-ado-about-nothing","category-society","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n