What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper?

Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by DanAndersen on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @05:35PM (#16759381)

As an American, I'm curious what the typical practice is elsewhere for determining if a stall is occupied. I know the little colored marker on the outside of the door is common, but sadly I don't imagine all of our own population being careful enough to notice it. The doors not going all the way down in the US may serve as a more visible indicator of which stalls are occupied without having to bang on the door and get the awkward "occupied!" shout. Not that it completely prevents that rudeness mind you.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by kokx on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @05:38PM (#16759414)

In Europe we mostly rely on the indicator. If you are unsure, you just try to open the door, and you will see if it is locked or not. When it is locked, it is obviously occupied or out of order. No awkward shouting or other kinds of human interaction needed, so you can shit in peace.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by laumars on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @05:44PM (#16759471)

One of my pet peeves is people who rattle the toilet door before checking the engaged indicator.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by fosk on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @07:56PM (#16760479)

That's intentional. By doing so you are interrupting the occupant's peaceful moment, make him anxious, and as a result he will get out faster.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by jdboyd on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @11:10PM (#16761478)

I thought it was so that the occupant had warning in case the lock wasn't properly engaged.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by wolco on Thursday April 05, 2018 @12:01AM (#16761656)

Or slow the person down.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by martin-adams on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:18PM (#16759793)

Usually it's not possible to close the door flush without locking it, so an open stall will have the door ajar. People only push on the door when they are all occupied.

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by bambax on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @06:05PM (#16759675)

Well, for one thing, it's not a "stall", it's a (very small) room. With a door. You can either look at the marker, or try to open the door. If the door is locked, it won't open. That's it. No need to bang or yell?

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by switch007 on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @05:54PM (#16759583)

I don't understand the tradeoff of constant decreased privacy just to avoid a few moments of "awkwardness" (if it's completely private, what's awkward? Is there a big issue with non-functioning locks?)??

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Re:What Did Ancient Romans Do Without Toilet Paper? by underwater on Wednesday April 04, 2018 @05:39PM (#16759424)

As well as the “engaged” sign, toilet doors swing open when they are not latched.

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