Brits feel the pressure using the toilet in public
New research has revealed more than a quarter of respondents wait until people leave the cubicles before using the toilet while one in four wait until anyone who entered with them leaves until they will emerge.
The Great Loo Taboo Survey of 3,000 British adults commissioned by Lepicol, a three in one combination of gentle fibres, probiotic cultures and natural prebiotics, today revealed the toilet tactics of the nation with 26% of British adults flushing the toilet to hide the sound of their activity and nearly one in three using toilet paper to reduce the noise.
Although people prefer to be alone in the toilet, many use the time to stay in touch with the outside world. An alarming 31% of respondents admitted to using their mobile phones to text, surf the net, update their Facebook and check their emails whilst on the loo.
Furthermore, the research showed that the UK population go to extraordinary lengths to avoid public toilets. 16% of people were unwilling to eat while they are out to ensure they do not have to use public facilities, with men admitting to this more than women. This is further echoed by the fact that over a quarter of respondents won’t eat food shortly before leaving the house.
When people do leave the house, 15% researched facilities before accepting event invitations in order to know what they are like and have the option to refuse. And once at the event, one in five plans a bathroom route in case of an urgent need to use the toilet.
Peter Cartwright, a microbiologist and expert on digestive disorders says “Bowel movements are a natural process for us all, however there is a common stigma attached to it. Research suggests forty five per cent of the UK population have experienced IBS or ongoing digestive health issues at some point in their lives, so it appears that as a nation we have to become more comfortable with discussing digestive health which could help reduce the fear of going in public places”.
“For people with ongoing digestive health issues, try using a natural probiotic, which helps maintain a healthy bowel”.
Dr Nick Read, Chair of The IBS Network says, “We have always known that people are embarrassed by their bowel function but perhaps until now we had not realised the extent of this. In other cultures and in previous times, having knowledge about one’s defaecatory habit meant one had control over them. However it seems modern British beliefs may be harder to shift”.
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