Snjezana | February 7, 2025 | Vrijeme čitanja: 2 min.

Doors and Locks

DOORS & LOCKS – written in 2024, published in February 2025.

If you ask me what is the most nerve-racking about the toilets for me, I will not know what comes up first. Is it a door that one cannot lock, is it a not enough room for a person to get in and out of the toilet without having to twist and turn? Is it not having a suspender, that one cannot hang a coat or a bag. Is it the water all over the floor, so when I put trousers down, they get soaked in the water, which I’m not sure is it only the water!

So, I should write one by one.

Doors and locks, o mama! I grew up in Zagreb, Croatia. Throughout my high school and university years I spent many hours in the Donjogradska pivnica, a bar where bunch of friends would almost every night sit and drink beer. Back in the day pocket money was enough for beer only, not cocktails, not expensive drinks. As much as I remember drinking beers, I also remember going to the loo every night in the same toilet. From night to night was very annoying that the door could not lock. And I hated that!!! There were 2 toilets, it was written man-woman, but as I remember most of the people would try whichever is empty and go inside.

Photo: 29.07.2018. Grožnjan, Croatia. I have no idea how to lock that door.

Photo: 05.05.2018. Lucca, Italy. No comment

Photo: 30.07.2021. Viareggio, Italy. The keyhole was filled with a paper.

Come on people! You should try at least!

Photos: 29.07.2021. Bologna, Italy- they did their best, don’t you think?!

I was told and brought up by my mother not to sit onto the toilet seat in a public toilet. I should always just crouch above the toilet bowl and pee. At the same time, while crouching on the toilet, I would hold my skirt up with my left hand and hold the door with my right hand. Not comfortable situation at all! There were moments when somebody would try to get in, the door would start to open, and I would panic inside trying to keep the door closed.

But what happens if a door is not in the reach of my hand from where I am crouching over the toilet?

I just very politely say- Sorry it’s occupied, looking straight in the eyes of the intruder!

While I am on this subject, I might as well post photos on doors with locks!

You might get an idea for your toilet; in case you need ????????