Is it just me, or is this rude, sexist, and condescending?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

I am a male nurse on an inpatient unit in a hospital who began a couple months ago. Recently I used the bathroom in the staff lounge, and after I left to sit down at the nurses station, an older female nurse came up to me grinning and whispering,

"Hi, I followed you after you used the bathroom, and used it next. I want you to know, the ladies here will be annoyed with you if you leave the toilet seat up after you use the toilet. We had a previous male nurse who the ladies became angry at because he didn't put the seat back down. I would put the seat back down if I were you."

I interpreted this to mean that really, she, rather than anyone else, wanted me to put the seat back down.

Is it really this person's job to be a toilet police? At least I actually put the damn seat up I can't count how many times I've found urine sprayed all over a toilet seat in the down position after a woman used it because she "hovered." I have to say, I found the comment sexist and condescending and am thinking of reporting it. What do you think?

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I would put the seat down. Quite frankly Im shocked that you left it up and thought it okay. The men in my family know to put the seat down after use as it is only courteous and good manners. I would expect the same in the work place.

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Just pee all over the seat and assert your dominance next time.

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I would put the seat down. Quite frankly Im shocked that you left it up and thought it okay. The men in my family know to put the seat down after use as it is only courteous and good manners. I would expect the same in the work place.

Why? Why don't you leave the seat up as a courtesy to the men in your family?

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I pray that the men (well an 11 and 14 year old boys) would leave the seat up! Nothing worse than sitting on a toilet seat after children who cannot aim properly.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

That's awful. How rude and embarrassing.Couldn't she just have put it down and kept her mouth shut.

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Maybe the women can explain this to me. Why is it such a problem to put the seat down? How is it even possible to sit on a toilet and not notice the rim is up?

Before I poop I inspect that seat with a microscope for any stray hairs, droplets, paper bits, etc. Maybe it is the years of having to deal with disgusting men's public bathrooms but my butt doesn't touch a toilet without an intense interrogation.

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Why? Why don't you leave the seat up as a courtesy to the men in your family?

Very impressive reply '

There should be a standing toilet for man ,if there is not ,fight with the setup dpt not ladies . For that woman ,her rudeness ,you just need to ignore and do it better next time . If you don't agree ,talk to her or fight with her directly ,don't bring rudeness to her into your heart .

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If the issue is so upsetting for you and you cant understand how the women you work with can be so rude to you then I would suggest you ask for your own "mens" bathroom. Then you can leave the toilet seat how ever you want.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Since many employee restrooms have a motion sensor on a timer for the lights, and they often don't function, it is common courtesy to leave the toilet seat down. If you want to aggravate your colleagues and create hostility, then don't.

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How do women know how to run a business, administer life saving medications with small margins for error but don't know how to operate a toilet seat?

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

We have one male nurse on our floor. He is very sweet. I cannot imagine embarrassing him by bringing up the toilet seat issue. Does this woman not know how to put it down?

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