[Franki D. Williams]

Franki D. Williams  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
My boyfriend and I were wondering why it is so much more difficult and time consuming for a man to go number two (poop) then a woman.

I am in and out of the bathroom in a minute, while he, like my father and brothers, sits on the pot for sometimes nearly an hour.

Thanks.

Franki D. Williams

What do you think?

[LeeE]

I don't think it's so much a question of difficulty but more a case of making the most of a 'moment' where one is unlikely to be interrupted (or nagged).

[doppler1]

I agree that there is no difference in difficulty....just a case of enjoyin the undisturbed time in isolation with a magazine or newspaper.
I, on the other hand, also being a man, feel like I am wasting time if I am on the loo for more than 2 or 3 minutes so I guess it is about personal preference and/or time constraints. Although it must be said that because I have 2 young kids, any doors left closed for more than a few minutes are bound to be opened and investigated by the little punks which means any slow pokes are destined to have an audience and well...lets face it...having a number 2 is no spectator sport.

[Geezer]

I can think of many possible replys, but I don't think any of them would be appropriate  []

Why do humans find bathroom humor so funny?

[doppler1]

I guess people find it funny because when engaged in the act, we are performing, what society has taught us is, a very private act and are quite vulnerable. I went through our military national service and things were quite different there because, when we were in the bush, you pretty much sit on a fly infested longdrop and chat to the dude next to you with no walls or anything....you can imagine where those conversations went .....I guess the act itself should not be taken seriously though and we should always be able to laugh at ourselves.

[greenslime]

They are probably reading the newspaper.

[LeeE]

I guess people find it funny because when engaged in the act, we are performing, what society has taught us is, a very private act...

Actually, the privacy angle is relatively recent, the Romans would certainly sit together and have a chat while they shat, and open i.e. not in a closet, urinals are still the norm.  There are actually some unwalled 'open' urinals in Hyde Park (three urinals, iirc, are arranged in a triangle, all facing inward, so unless you peek around the corner you can't see other people  while you're using it and unless you turn around no one can see your hampton)

[Geezer]

Hampton Court
Hampton, Lionel
Hampton Inn
??

[doppler1]

Thanks LeeE, I guess that once you get used to crouching and chatting to the person next to you kind of removes any shyness and helps make you more social....what better way to get your point across to someone when they can not exactly run away or move around too much

[LeeE]

Hampton Court
Hampton, Lionel
Hampton Inn
??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Wick

[Geezer]

Hampton Court
Hampton, Lionel
Hampton Inn
??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Wick

Ah! Thanks.

[emilykiles]

They are probably reading the newspaper.

Correct. My husband won't go into a toilet without newspaper or magazine.

[imatfaal]

  There are actually some unwalled 'open' urinals in Hyde Park (three urinals, iirc, are arranged in a triangle, all facing inward, so unless you peek around the corner you can't see other people  while you're using it and unless you turn around no one can see your hampton)

There are 'pissoir' in the west-end of london that only come out during the night! they are the the three fold arrangement described by Lee - but they rise up from being hidden in the pavement about the time the pubs start closing.  They appear as an extra-large manhole cover during the day.  Took me a while to realise this, and I went through a period of great uncertainty cos I was certain that I had taken a leak at the bottom of villiers street and the next day there was no sign of any wc.  there is one at the front of the theatre at cambridge circus too.
r. mutt

[tangoblue]

I get the point in those street urinal things but at the same time, they are a bit...wrong. think about it, you are walking home, you get to the end of the street and theres a guy taking a leak in the middle of the street...weird.