I am the only female in our household. YES – even our two cats are male! I have to say, the guys are pretty good about flushing the toilet AND putting the lid down (no one wants to have a wet cat soaked in toilet water…) It’s just one of those pet-peeves – I pay attention to this all the time.
I was at a conference a few weeks ago that was hosted in a large, upscale hotel. Each (and every) time I walked in to the ladies room to use the facilities, there were at least 5 out of 10 toilets left UNFLUSHED.
Ewww – gross!”
By the third time I visited, I realized that all of the toilets were manual flush. YES…manual flush. What’s wrong with that? That’s when my curiosity kicked in.
On a break between sessions, I did what a researcher might do…
OBSERVE
I stood at the bathroom mirror a few minutes longer than usual. As I put a little more lipstick on, I observed. One by one, she goes in and out. No flushing sound. Next one…the same. Four women in a row – NO FLUSHING. I was so tempted to ask, but held back (I had to spend two days with these woman.)
So what’s my point here? This LinkedIn post has just gone to the toilet really quickly!
Automation is the norm -- we take it for granted.
You walk into your office and the lights automatically go on. Your thermostat at home is preset to turn on and off when the temperature is just right. Your DVR automatically programs your favorite show each week. Why would a public toilet be any different? It is. You’re just not paying attention. Psychologically, we are on autopilot.
Even Maribel, the cleaning woman, said to me (I had to ask someone), “These ladies don’t flush because they just sit there and text on their phones. I hear them. They think it’s automatic 24/7!” That was not the response I expected to hear.
Next time you're out and about, doing your business, think about how you can lessen the distraction, one flush at a time.
Christina (her friends call her Tina), is a Passionate. Strategic. Insights Executive looking for her "Next Big Break." Her philosophy is to lead through example through the illustration of insights from the outside...in. She also blogs and shares thought-leadership perspectives in payments and customer segments and through social media. In her spare time, Tina volunteers for the Boy Scouts of America and is training for her next road race.
Meet my Uncle Hank in "Don't Forget to Look Next to You."
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Other entertaining LinkedIn posts -- "Really? Not another #selfie!", and "What's My Next Adventure? You decide..."