PlatKat.com: Checking for Feet

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Checking for Feet

When you're in a public bathroom stall and not sure if you're the only one in the entire bathroom, do you check for feet?

I may end up cross-posting this question because I'm really curious (at least from the girls' perspective) as to whether or not it is a common practice. Checking for feet is simply lowering one's head just below the level of the side of the stall but far enough over the sometimes skanky floor, just to see who else might be in there. I want to find out how many other people do this so I can determine whether or not I should stop before I awkwardly meet eyes with another feet-checker someday.

I am a periodic feet-checker, meaning I don't check for feet every time I go to a public bathroom. I'd say maybe one in ten visits involve a feet-checking of some type.

Times when I would check for feet include, but are not limited to the following:
-I hear a noise, and am not sure if it came from within the bathroom or not
-I'm about to make a noise, and want to see if I have an audience
-Someone in the bathroom definitely made a noise, and I want to see if I know the performer

I'm not sure what feet-checking frequencies and justifications say about a person. I would venture to guess that a chronic feet-checker is very insecure, or, if they would behave the same way no matter what they found when they checked for feet, perhaps simply very curious. Someone who doesn't check for feet at all may be at ease with their bodily functions, but could also be censoring themselves before they know whether they are alone or not.

Is checking for feet a good idea? It is for me, but you shouldn't do it. I'd prefer to maintain my own feet-checking practices without worrying about the possibility of yours ruining them. OK? OK.

posted by platkat @ 2:58 PM