male bathroom etiquette

I made the mistake of writing the words "Urinal Cake" on this site and not following it up. Since I've been called on it, I've been sitting here trying to figure out the most delicate way of addressing the subject.

I've come to the conclusion that there is no subtle way.
So with that conclusion fairly easily drawn, it pretty much leaves me free reign.

Then I moved on to trying to figure out how to make it all coherent.
That was a little tougher.
I gave up altogether on trying to be tactful about it all.

Not one to slack on my research, I found this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnOaMC8KHA4
The words "critical mass" are clearly defined.

"Speech is your enemy; never, ever under any circumstance say a single word in a men's room...not even to Jesus himself" is a motto that is essential for all parties involved to adhere to otherwise it could lead to dire consequences.

...and forget everything you may have ever read about spotting sociopaths. It is defined for you, definitively, in that video.

I was unaware that a pyramid breakdown was part of the critical thinking involved in the male etiquette restroom scenario - I stand educated.

On to Urinal Cakes, which was the main focus, I just got side-tracked.

I ran across this:

Talking urinal cakes warn against drunk driving. Apparently the State of New Mexico is trying out a new program to try to stop drunk driving. They have purchased 500 urinal cakes ($21 apiece) and placed them in the restrooms of various bars.

According to SiliconValley.com the cakes say things like "Hey, big guy. Having a few drinks? Think you had one too many? Then it's time to call a cab or call a sober friend for a ride home."

The females among us are probably going, "What is this mystifying item called the urinal cake?"

It appears, that urinal cakes (sometimes referred to as Urinal Mints for some bizarre reason) are small disinfectant blocks found in male bathrooms. The purpose of these blocks is to disinfect and deodorize washroom urinals.


They are air-activated and slowly evaporate when in contact with the air. Water does not dissolve them. It is rumored that some of them are designed to look like bulls-eyes.

In my quest for the Holy Grail of the Men's room, I ran across this little gem:
The Interactive Urinal Communicator

...to once again reassure us that advertising agencies have no shame and are willing to corner you when you least expect it.

and just so you know, Grant is still watching the video from above and saying things like, "that's just so true"...

There.
Now everyone is on the same page.

Additional Information as of 6:18pm - the urinals that go to the floor? They're for KIDS. As ridiculous as it is, Grant and I just had this conversation because I thought it may have been counterproductive to have to pee a good 3-4' straight down and how in fuck do you keep it from splashing all over your shoes that way. KIDS. I have no idea why that never occurred to me. Kids. Of course. Kids. Sheesh. And then I got the added bonus of a mental picture of how many times Grant has seen dad's holding their kids up to the mid-wall level ones. And then all I could do was laugh. So, there's your update.