Friday, May 19, 2006

Someone Tell Me I'm Not Horrible...Please

About 90% of the time, I use the handicapped stall. I would never, ever, in a million years do this in front of an actual handicapped person, but, I'm always afraid that a handicapped person is going to come in while I'm in there and have to wait. I do this mostly at work because, well, that's the only public restroom I'm usually in. There are two stalls. One is a normal stall and one is a handicapped stall. And, I swear that even if I was 110 lbs, the non-handicapped stall...is small.

I use the handicap stall whenever I can because they're bigger and, therefore, it allows me to maneuver better. I admit it. But, I feel badly. I'm in no way (knock on wood) handicapped. I'm just fat. So, it's wrong right? It's wrong that I use the handicap stall to do my business in because it's bigger and therefore I'm more comfortable? Right? What's the verdict here?

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

First of all, you're not alone in this practice and second of all, I believe that there's nothing wrong with it so long as you don't cut in front of a handicapped person and you don't dally about your business, if ya know what I mean.

Lynne said...

Yeah, there is nothing wrong with using the handicapped stall. It isnt like handicapped parking. Besides, handicapped stalls were never intended to be for the exclusive use of people with handicaps that require those kinds of stalls (which really means people in wheelchairs). Heck, where I work, there are all of two or three people in wheelchairs in the whole place and none of them are women. But 25-50% of the stalls in the bathrooms are handicapped stalls. It would be silly not to use the larger stalls.

Naturally, if someone with a wheelchair were waiting in the restroom, it would be polite to allow them to go to the head of the line to use the handicapped stall.

Anonymous said...

You need to watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm" pronto. Larry David has an episode where he deals with this.


And the verdict is, no, you are not a horrible person. 

Anonymous said...

I was talking about that with people earlier today, some of whom are very thin, and we all agreed that the handicapped stall is just more comfortable and accessible. And just for the record, even the 105 lb girl said so!

Anonymous said...

I always use the handicapped stall, but I've seen non-handicapped children and thin people use the stall as well, so I don't feel bad at all. Sometimes there's so much stuff nailed to the walls of the smaller stalls that they're impossible for me to maneuver in.

Regina Rodriguez-Martin said...

All bathroom stalls are for everyone. Some just happen to be bigger for people who want more room. If you want more room, use it.

Anonymous said...

Ditto Torren. Especially if there is a line -- then you are being a good citizen by moving the line along.

105-lb girls surveyed agree, particularly in cities where space and speed are at a premium.

Rock on.

Anonymous said...

I use the handicapped stall because otherwise I'm cramped up between the t.p. dispenser and the feminine hygeine product receptacle. One of them always digs into my thigh.

With all due respect to handicapped people, they can wait to pee just like the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

i am never a nasty person etc, but i think you should lose weight. its terrible, you cant live your life properly. you are missing out on so much in your life, and trust me i know, from having a mum and overweight sister, i can tell you that you are missing out. ive lost 55lbs(highest being 190 5'7) also and my life changed completly, i felt better about myself, slight feeling down and depressed went. i bet your whole life is ruled by your weight(well it must be slighty if u have a blog on it aswell) and imagion the feeling of not having that, going on holiday enjoying it, not having to use disabled toilets, feeling out of breath or being able to tie your shoelaces. being slim gives you alot out of life, the enjoyment of shopping etc.

im not saying do it for anyone, but yourself you might think you are happy as you are but you arent, and you are missing out on a life.

Unknown said...

Funny, I never knew that peeing in the handicap stall meant I was missing out on life. -sigh-

I wouldn't even think about it that way. The only time I'm ever concious about using the handicap stall is when I am at a place where the line is insanley large AND there happens to be a person in a wheelchair or someone on crutches.

I also think they should have to wait to pee like the rest of us as well - but if there are a bunch of stalls and only one handicap, and it opened but the handicap person was soon in line (like second or third), then I think you should let them go ahead of you since they need that particular stall. There's no reason for them to jump the line though.

I'd only say you were horrible if you cut off a little old lady in a wheelchair for the comfort of the large stall.

Anonymous said...

anonymous: 4:09 You're not nasty, you're just ignorant and preachy and you're an insult to intelligent individuals. You obviously don't know that in many cases over-eating is a side effect of complex emotional issues. You're assuming that these girls don't know that losing weight would make their lives better! Oh brother, what an assumption! On the other hand, you're also assuming that fat always equals unhapiness. Here's a surprise for you - many fat people are capable of living productive and happy lives despite their extra weight. One last thing: Your grammar is quite atrocious.

Anonymous said...

Unfortanately in this world of ours, fat is a handicap. Fat is limiting - anything from achievements & acceptance in life to physical mobility, fat handicaps come in various degrees. Not being able to fit into a regular sized bathroom stall is one of those handicaps...

Anonymous said...

anonymous: 4:09 - Your syntax and grammar are horrible, maybe you should have spent your time enriching your mind instead of shrinking you thighs.

I watched a 20/20 maybe 10 years ago that really stuck with me. It was about using the handicapped stalls and there were all of these people in wheelchairs saying that sometimes when they need to go, they need to go right away or something really bad could happen to their bladder...I don't remember he details. So, I don't think they should wait like the rest of us have to.

As far as bathrooms go, use the handicap stall if there isn't a handicapped person waiting in line.

Maulleigh said...

I can't believe you're nervous about this!! Who cares?! Of course you can use the handicap stall. I use it all the time. It's just another stall and I don't think any handicapped person will look down on you because of it.

At my work, we have a handicapped room thing where people go to smoke pot. That does bother me. You don't smoke pot in there, right? Because that's not okay. ;)

Maulleigh said...

I can't believe you're nervous about this!! Who cares?! Of course you can use the handicap stall. I use it all the time. It's just another stall and I don't think any handicapped person will look down on you because of it.

At my work, we have a handicapped room thing where people go to smoke pot. That does bother me. You don't smoke pot in there, right? Because that's not okay. ;)

Anonymous said...

Why would you be a horrible person? Handicapped stalls are not there so handicapped ppl don't have to wait, they are there so they can fit and maneuver. I don't think there is anything wrong w/ using it.

Anonymous said...

The verdict is...you're not horrible :]

A bathroom stall is a bathroom stall. Nothing more, nothing less.

Anonymous said...

your not horrible but normal people will laugh at you and feel sorry for you

Anonymous said...

and i bet you smell most fat girls do, like sweat and other dirty things.

GoBetty said...

I would smoke pot in the handicapable stall, if I could get away with it. In the meantime, I just use it to go to the bathroom. Sometimes if the other stalls are taken. Sometimes not. GO FATTIES!

Shelly said...

Back home, most handicapped stalls are the ones that have the baby-changing stations in them.

I have 2 kids, and a third on the way. Now, would I rather cram all of us in a tiny stall and lay my youngest on the floor to change his diaper...or go in the handicapped stall and use the baby-changing table that's located there for just my use?

You bet your ass I'm in the handicapped stall.

Besides - like someone said, the handicapped stall *is not* there for the exclusive use of the handicapped. It's there to be sure that there's a stall (or two, or three- whatever) that will accommodate a wheelchair. But just because you're not handicapped does not mean you can't use it.

Anonymous said...

To the anonymous people who have been posting insulting comments about fat people: this is just my opinion, but maybe you should go back to the pro-ana blogs from whence you came.

Anonymous said...

arent you upset that you are now classified disabled? because you are, if you cant do things which normal thin people can.


i am not pro-ana, i am pro-healthy.

Anonymous said...

oh wow look at that! The first moron who posted had posted at 4.09AM and SUPER moron number 2 posted another dumb ass comment at the exact same time. Tis a sign. You are both idiots and SUPER moron number 2 should crawl back into the pit of shit that you came from ^_^

P/S:No it isnt bad sweetie. Just make sure you dont cut in front of a handicapped person and if you realize that a handicapped person just entered the bathroom to use to use the stall-be quick to get out so they can use it :) Tis polite. I doubt they will be angry unless they had to wait a long time.

Anonymous said...

The trolls are particularly strange today. I am extremely confused, because I have never met a fat person who couldn't tie their shoes. And are the people who complain about "all the fat people at Wal-Mart" the same ones saying fat people can't enjoy shopping? Man, I just don't get how people can think things like that.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 4:09 AM. You should be PRO-Education because you seriously lack it. You my dear anonymous troll should be focusing on getting your high school diploma - it's never too late. In case you haven't noticed, the girls who write on this blog are intelligent, why would they be paying attention to the truly idiotic things you are saying???

Anonymous said...

I just love anonymous commenters who don't have the guts to put their names to the insults they unleash. And I love the notion that using a handicapped stall automatically designates you disabled.

I say, use it if you need to. I don't know whether women's rooms are ever like this, but in some men's rooms the only toilet is dual-purpose. If I can't use that, what am I supposed to do--take a dump in a urinal?

Anonymous said...

In Germany the handicapped stalls are usually locked up and can be opened with a key available if you can prove that you are handicapped. (The same key nationwide.)
Obviously there must be good reasons to keep non-disabled people from using the handicapped stalls....

Of course they are cleaner because they are used by way less people.
I as a non-handicapped have way more ways to cope with a gross public restroom that a handicapped person may not have. And I am not able to judge if waiting may be a possible problem for a handicapped person.
So I would never use a handicapped stall.

Anonymous said...

I use 'em too and I've never been caught by someone who needed it.

Anonymous said...

OMG I have so done that too! All of the time when possible because I hate those tiny ass stalls!

Anonymous said...

I use the handicapped stalls all the time. I'm in and out so fast, I doubt anyone would have to wait more than 60 seconds.

Of course if I saw a wheelchair bound person, I'd use another stall.

Don't feel bad.

Kate217 said...

I have a huge scar on my knee from one of those massive metal tp holder/fem product disposal units at the local cinema. I wish that I had used the handicapped stall that day!

Anonymous said...

hey i would eat and smoke pot in one of those stalls i wanted to!!

Anonymous said...

Okay, to Anonymous who states that you are now classifed as disabled. I am in the "normal" healthy weight category and workout daily. However, I prefer the handicapped stall to. That doesn't mean that we can't use the regular stall, just that we prefer not to have to use the tiny cramped ones when we don't have to. Why is that so difficult for you to understand.

Debbie said...

The handicap stalls are meant to accommodate handicapped folks, they're not reserved for them. Go ahead and use them and don't feel guilty, that's what they're there for. I, too, wouldn't make an obviously handicapped person wait for me to use it, but otherwise they're fair game to anyone. (I notice many of these stalls now have the changing stations in them, too.)

hyacinths and biscuits said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
hyacinths and biscuits said...

I've always preferred the handicap stalls. They just feel more luxurious. (as luxurious as a bathroom can feel!) Like a private suite. I wouldn't ever use it in front of a handicapped person, and you're right I'm afraid one will come in and I'll be in there. But that has never happened thus far. I don't think it's wrong, just potentially embarassing if someone gets mad or something.

holiday at sea said...

shoot, i use the men's room if there's nobody in there. :)

and i second the person who said to check out the "curb your enthusiasm" episode--i thought of that immediately!

Anonymous said...

I'm in a wheelchair and nothing infuriates me more than going into a completely empty bathroom, needing to pee, to find that the ONLY stall I can get into is occupied by someone who didn't need the extra space. This situation always leave me hoping I don't piss myself in a bathroom full of toliets I can't use.

Anonymous said...

I'm the same anonymous as the last comment. Another thing that pisses me off is when the only person in the bathroom is using the handicapped stall to take a dump. They hear someone enter, they stop what they're doing, hoping they'll leave soon and let them crap in peace. When they see a wheelchair under the door, they get scared... no longer wishing to leave while the wheelchair is there. They're embarassed and don't want to get an evil look from the aforementioned cripple. The polite thing would be to finish quickly. I'm always grateful when they do this. If they just sit there, and sit there, waiting for me to leave, I only get aggrivated.

Anonymous said...

Ok here's my view on this.

1. Usually the handicapped stall is the cleanest stall in the washroom, or the only clean stall.

That's one of the main reasons I use the handicapped stalls. If I were to run into a handicapped person, I'd probaly like to tell them "Stop being so miserable, unlike those who can walk, you know how to clean up after yourself."

Like, maybe they should tell the other non-handicapped people to clean up their own s**t so that she can use the handicapped washroom. Seriously, I go into washrooms sometimes, and it's like a bunch of little brats have been there and mommy never taught them how to wipe themselves. Ugh..

Anonymous said...

I use the handicapped stall because I'm claustrophobic. And at university, its the only one with a lock that *works*.

I don't think its a bad thing, or a thing even. They usually are cleaner and its possible to close the stall door without having to stand on the toilet.

Starchild said...

I have thoughts. And by God, I'm going to share them in this comment. 1. If there is a handicap ramp on the front of a building, am I not allowed to walk up it? 2. I wonder if the "loss of enjoyment" of life they say fat people experience is because of the fat or because of the constant abuse from society. 3. If I were the last person on earth, I would swim nude. And I'd eat as much as I wanted with no guilt whatsoever. And I'd sure as hell not even consider running on a treadmill or dieting. 4. Why does the guy in the wheelchair not roll out of the bathroom for a moment instead of making the uncomfortable person trying to crap feel nervous so that they take even longer?? 5. To the German guy: Making handicapped people get a key does not sound convenient. 6. Some skinny people have body odor too. 7. Not all fat people stink. 8. I love this blog.