Читать книгу Blaikie’s Guide to Modern Manners - Thomas Blaikie - Страница 22

This one is for men only. In women’s toilets, we hear, it’s chatty and unhierarchical. Although in a comprehensive school where I once taught, the deputy head was often criticised for peeing too briskly. But in the office gents, as in all public men’s toilets, silence reigns. From time to time there is a drive to institute the ‘working piss’ but it always comes to nothing. If all those lined up at the urinal are of equal status, it’s straightforward – don’t talk. Trauma only sets in when senior management are suddenly present. ‘What’s worse,’ somebody said, ‘seeing your boss’s willy or your father’s?’ Of course some pushy types, far from being disturbed, might see a chance to push.

 Don’t start promoting yourself at the urinal.

 If, on entering, you find the boss in the toilets, get adept, like Matt, at reversing straight out again.

 Or you can go in the cubicles, but leave the door ajar to avoid suspicion.