public bathroom psychology
Posted on | February 3, 2004 |
Let’s say there is a public bathroom with five stalls. Which stall is the least used? I play this game everyday.
I avoid the first and last stalls. They are out automatically for obvious reasons. Now I’m left with three choices. The second stall seems to be a dangerous choice as it is most likely the second choice of those who avoid the previously mentioned first stall.
My choices are narrowed down to the 3rd and 4th. I will tell you I always choose the third. For some reason, likely related to a mild case of OCD, it fits some sort of symmetric pattern in my head while the fourth does not.
Yes. This is the stuff I think about.
Category: Random
Comments
7 Responses to “public bathroom psychology”
February 4th, 2004 @ 9:50 am
Hmm… This sounds suspiciously similar to the Urinal Test.
Your logic for eliminating the end stalls eludes me. What are these “obvious” reasons?
February 4th, 2004 @ 12:32 pm
My highly unofficial research has shown that the first and last stalls (i.e. the end stalls) are the most used. Also, the last stall tends to be the handicap stall. Mothers and children frequent this often for the space it provides.
February 4th, 2004 @ 1:22 pm
Ahhh. Different situation from the urinals, then–with urinals, you don’t really need to worry about how often they’re used.
February 5th, 2004 @ 2:00 pm
Hey, just dropping you a line from the place under the snow, South Dakota. Please send us your snow plows, snow blowers, bobcats, and even your snow shovels…we need help!
\t
February 6th, 2004 @ 12:34 pm
Doh! There are SIX stalls. I think, however, that my theory holds.
February 7th, 2004 @ 9:14 am
There actually are studies on this. They figured out which are the most used due to the concentration of bacteria they found. If I find the study I’ll send it your way.
I hate the first stall too–closest to the door..
February 8th, 2004 @ 2:03 am
When presented with a list, humans tend to choose the first, last and middle entries most often. You’re probably better off with with #2 or #4 in a 5-stall scenario.