Urinal etiquette explained
Why a Screen Is Not a Substitute for Physical Clearance
QUESTION 8/20
A protective partition may be overvalued when its visible solidity is mistaken for additional space. The distinction matters in a room where an unscreened but genuinely separated position is available.
The situation
The Pub · Entrance: Lower right.
| Position | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | Large visitor |
| 2 | Available |
| 3 | Available |
| 4 | Available |
| 5 | Ordinary visitor |
Protective partition: 1–2.
Recommended position: 3
The attractive boundary
The substantial visitor occupies one, with a partition between one and two. This screen improves privacy at two. It does not move the visitor farther away, enlarge the fixture spacing or eliminate the physical adjacency of the two positions.
The actual reserve
Position three leaves an unused fixture before the substantial visitor on the left and before the ordinary visitor at five on the right. Position four forfeits the latter gap. Three therefore supplies bilateral clearance rather than relying on a single screen to compensate for avoidable proximity.
Conclusion
Position three is recommended. A wall can obstruct a view; it cannot be credited with moving a gentleman whose shoes remain in precisely the same place.
In plain language
The screen at two is tempting. Three is better: an actual gap on both sides beats hiding right beside the big bloke.