Writing Prompt from Don Charisma

I know I should, but I don’t do the Daily Writing Prompt. I forget about it in writing my own internal writing prompt. But I liked this prompt from a blog I follow that is truly interesting: http://doncharisma.org Don Charisma. The prompt was: Write about the first thing you think about and publish it.

Those of you who have been following my blog know that sometimes, I’m just a bit cattywhompus at times. Cattywhompus is Southern for not quite straight, off kilter, hanging funny, a bit twisted.

The first thing that popped in my head was: Why do women talk so much in public restrooms?

Yes, really. Those of you out there who are women may relate to this. Those of you who are men will, be befuddled at this phenomenon. I am not a man yet, I am befuddled.

Here is the daily scenario: I go into the restroom at work. Usually, there are at least six women in there. They greet each other, they greet me. Okay, I’m cool so far. But then….then I go into the stall, close and lock the door. Before I can get my slacks down, waves of conversation roll over the door: Haven’t seen you in ages Kanzen, you been busy? How’s your mom, Kanzen? Have they interviewed for the admin position yet in your area? I love the way you have your hair today Kanzen. Kanzen, that turquoise blouse with your white hair is gooooorgeous. I hope you told that bitch off, Kanzen when she was so hateful to you….on and on and on. And to each other!! Comments, questions! Geez freakin’ louise. and no, I was nice and answered, but I didn’t like it. It was just….weird. And I answered tersely.

Another daily scenario: I walk in and am the only person in there (thank you, Jesus). But then, just as I go in my own little stall and close and lock the door, I hear someone come in. Does she go to empty stall two away from me? Does she go to the empty one at the end of the row? NOOOOOO, she goes in the one right beside me and: That you Kanzen? I thought I recognized those little feet. How’s it goin’? How did that meatloaf turn out? Blahdeblahdeblahblahblah.

Lord have mercy on me. She just saw me in the mailroom. Why didn’t she ask then? Why did she have to go in right beside me? There were empty spaces!!! Why is she still talking to me?

Men on the other hand: maybe a: ‘sup? They skip a urinal between themselves and the other guy if at all possible. They look straight ahead. Simple. They shake off, zip up, wash their hands, leave. maybe straighten a tie or make sure no toilet paper is stuck to a shoe.

Women: You hear all this shuffling, adjusting, zipping….then they come out. They futz around with their hair, put on MORE lipstick, turn around and look their backside in the mirror, adjust some more, reach inside their blouse and heaven help me, adjust there. And while washing their hands: I hate this soap they have in here now. That towel dispenser never works. Those are cute earrings! Are we still on for lunch? If my man did that to me, he’d be missing something, know what I mean? and other things neither you (nor I) want to hear. I wash my hands, grab a paper towel, dry my hands, and RUN!

So…this is what popped into my head, thanks to Don’s writing prompt. Women in restrooms and why do they talk all the time and why when there are empty stalls, they have to go into the one right beside you. I’m a woman and I don’t understand.

But today is Thursday. I call it Friday Eve, like Christmas Eve, New Years Eve.   I think that sounds more festive than “little Friday”, don’t you?  Happy Friday Eve!!!