Cells in the loo?

By Kimberly Roden March 11, 2011 Career, communication, workplace

A colleague recently stopped by my desk and said, “I have a topic for your next blog post.”   Great!  I like to know what matters to people and if there is something I can write that will get varied responses and provide insight, I’m all over it.  I was anxious to hear more…

“Why do people talk on their cell phones in the bathroom?”

Go ahead and laugh but I can validate that I’m not the only one curious about this activity.  I work in 2 offices with contrasting environments and after casually asking around, I found that it’s not gender specific and everyone I spoke with found it odd too.  Personally, the thought of bringing my phone into the restroom has never crossed my mind.  So I put on my empathy hat and thought I would take a crack at coming up with a few reasons of my own.  I admit, my reasons are weak so if you do this or know anyone who does, please give us the facts!

My thoughts on cells in the potty:

  • Cell phone usage is not permitted in your office
  • There is a restriction of personal phone calls in your office
  • You would rather not address personal issues for your office mates to hear (not that your potty mates are necessarily interested either!)
  • You work on the 300th floor of a high-rise building and would rather not take the elevator all the way to the street for a quick chat

That’s all I could muster!  Oh and if either of the above 2 reasons do apply, I do hope that you work in a high-security environment rather than an autocratic one.  If it’s the latter, let’s get that resume spruced up, shall we?

Now it’s your turn.  Turn to your office mates right now and ask them what they think!  Respond and leave your comment so that we can finally put this issue to bed once and for all.

Thank you and I look forward to reading your responses — I really do!

6 thoughts on “Cells in the loo?”

  1. Jason Seiden

    1. Congratulations to anyone who can get service in a bathroom; clearly they don’t have AT&T iPhones.

    2. I had a flash of a 21st century moral dilemma last week: as I was finishing up, a guy in a stall took a call. The question that crossed my mind was, “Should I flush?” The moment was fleeting, and I left wondering how he explained the background noise to the person at the far end of the call…

    1. Kimberly Roden

      That’s funny Jason…but I understand that fleeting dilemma! Hopefully, if an explanation of the background echoed flush was required, the guy was on a personal call vs a business call!

      Thanks for commenting Jason!

  2. HRMexplorer

    Kim you make me laugh!!
    Now this is what I think.
    1. Shows multitasking skills.
    2. The ability to work in small cells.
    3.The need for only the bare essentials.
    4. Limited office supplies .
    Seems like businesses could make a killing if they downsized office essentials to basic needs!

    cheers!! oh can you drink if you can use the phone?

  3. Ben

    People can talk on their cell in the potty all they want. I choose not to do it. I check my email instead. Whenever someone does talk on their phone I get to hear if they have anything cool to say.