Urinal etiquette explained
A Protected Single Position Beside a Local Hygiene Exclusion
QUESTION 19/20
The best remaining position may be bordered by two different conditions without inheriting the disadvantages of both. Here a partition provides protection whilst a neighbouring puddle remains a separate exclusion.
The situation
The Pub · Entrance: Middle right.
| Position | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | Available |
| 2 | Large visitor |
| 3 | Available |
| 4 | Wet floor · unavailable |
| 5 | Available |
| 6 | Ordinary visitor |
Protective partition: 2–3.
Recommended position: 3
Three usable candidates
Position four is wet. Positions one, three and five are dry and available. One immediately adjoins the substantial visitor at two without a partition. Five immediately adjoins the ordinary visitor at six, also without protection. Three adjoins the substantial visitor across the partition between two and three.
A precisely limited boundary
Position three is not physically isolated. It is the protected choice where all dry candidates entail adjacency. The puddle at four does not make three wet, and the screen does not make the visitor at two disappear. Both facts must be retained in the same analysis.
Conclusion
Position three is recommended. This compact arrangement rewards the ability to distinguish one’s own difficulties from those properly allocated to the fixture next door.
In plain language
Take three. The screen protects you from the big bloke, and the puddle belongs to four. You do not have to stand in it out of neighbourly solidarity.