Public restrooms

It is conventional wisdom that men go into public restrooms, finish their business as fast as possible and come out without even making eye-contact with others in that place. It is women who go in and socialize and make life-long friendships with fellow restroom users.

The details that came out in the Larry Craig (republican senator from Idaho) incident shattered this image of men’s public restroom. It seems like it is a very romantic place where gay men are involved in very intricate and playful flirting. It is really shocking that gay men who are stereotypically very clean and neat-freaks would choose a dirty place like men’s room for romance.

Here is an excerpt from a NY times article about the restroom mannerisms:

... the description of Senator Craig’s behavior given by the police. First is the approach: Mr. Craig allegedly peeks into the stall. Then comes positioning: he takes the stall next to the policeman. Signaling: Senator Craig allegedly taps his foot and touches it to the officer’s shoe, which was positioned close to the divider, then slides his hand along the bottom of the stall. ..... Mr. Craig was arrested after the officer presumed he had “signaled.”