Last week we covered some really hot topics on Kidspot. It started with a debate on whether it's OK to share a toothbrush, which then led to the topic of towels and whether it's acceptable to share them or not. But now we have something so much better... and the comments are so worth the read.
"Is it OK to pee in someone else's shower"
An anonymous person has written into Slate's advice column, Ask Prudence, about a recent debate they'd had with their fiancée when staying with some friends.
"I realized during a casual conversation that my fiancée had peed in the shower," they wrote. "We had previously joked about my 'inability' to do so (I just can’t bring myself to do it, although I understand the convenience), but I didn’t expect she’d do it in someone else’s house."
They said they felt it was "rude" particularly if the couple didn't do it themselves, and although it turned out they did pee in their own shower, the person questioned what type of person would do so WITHOUT ASKING FIRST.
Apparently, the debate has come up a few times since, and they have even discussed it with the shower-owning friends.
And surprise... they sided with the fiancée.
While Dear Prudence writer, Danny M Lavery, pointed out urine is not entirely "sterile" as some would expect, the answer has more to do with being considerate of your hosts.
"It is more polite not to pee in someone else’s shower than it is to pee in someone else’s shower," wrote Lavery.
It's the online comments that had us howling, so we thought we'd share some of our favourites.
"It all goes into the same drain pipe"
One person suggested, "If you're comfortable asking the question and your host answers that yes, it is okay to pee in my shower, then go ahead. Otherwise please don't."
"I never knew people peed in showers," said another person who added, "Do they not own toilets? I can't think of any other reason not to use the toilet before you shower. Simple logic."
"Why would you get out of the shower dry off and pee in the toilet and then get back in?" quipped another. "That's just stupid and it goes in the same pipes."
"It's not like they're shitting in the shower," commented another.
One said, "Oh no! And what if they wash their bum whilst showering! Oh the horror."
And one person said it's all about knowledge: "It’s perfectly OK as long as you let your friends know about it so they can clean appropriately."
Yeah naaaaaahhh.
So is it OK?
According to a 2018 article by Body and Soul, the risks are low and the benefits are high. They concluded that, "Urine contains low levels of bacteria - and it's good for the environment. According to data from the UK's University of East Anglia, if all Brits peed during their morning shower instead of using the loo and flushing, it would save 720 million litres of water a year!"
While Healthline pointed out it's not completely free of bacteria, the levels of bacteria in the urine of a healthy person are extremely low.
Since there were mixed responses about the questionable act, we asked some Aussie parents for their take on the matter.
One mum said, "I try not to because I agree it's a bit gross but there's something automatic about the water hitting my back that triggers my bladder and I sometimes just can't help it!"
Another added, "I don't think I would ever admit to it publicly, but even if you've already gone, as soon as the warm water trickles down my body it's like something happens in my bladder and the flood gates open whether I want them to or not."
One mum said she's forever at her partner for doing it, "I do if I really need to, but I think it’s gross I get up at my partner for doing it because it stinks. I wouldn’t do it at someone’s house but definitely would if I was drunk or hungover."
And this dad had a rather interesting contribution: "I pee in every shower every time. When the water flows, my water flows."
This article was first published in KidSpot and republished on theAsianparent with permission.
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