Self image vs Chinese food

[fbhjr]

The men’s room where I work has two stalls.
Both have issues.
One the toilet is crooked and I can’t sit on it without my knees hitting the wall.
The other clogs often and a plunger needs to be used almost every time.
Over all, I prefer using the plunger to having my knees against the cold metal.

Last Friday, every time I went into the men’s room someone was in the plunger one.
I noticed this even when using the standing option in addition to the stalls.
By lunch I had looked under to see some brown boots there, just to make sure the door hadn’t somehow jammed shut.

At the end of the day I ordered the Chinese food for my wife and myself on line and then used the bathroom before taking the hour drive to the restaurant and home.

Same brown boots in the stall.

I pondered this as I grabbed my laptop and walked to the car.
Was it really likely that someone needed that stall for 4 hours?
Most of the other folks in the group had gone home by the time my last meeting ended and I headed out. What were the odds the same person with the same boots used the bathroom and just that time?

It occurred to me that maybe someone had some sort of medical emergency on the toilet.

“That’s not very likely,” I said to myself, started the car and drove away.
But, it did worry me a bit.
What if I was abandoning a coworker who needed help?
Was I the kind of person to leave someone in those straights just because I wanted to get my Chinese food and go home.
Yes. I am that kind of person.

It’s been a week now, and there have not been any stories about a body found in the men’s room.
So, I guess I picked the right choice and I just would have interrupted a coworker in a private moment for no go reason. (Or more likely interrupting someone trying to hide from work and play games on their phone…)

I am a bit disappointed in myself over this.
I like to think I’m the kind of person who would help people in need.
I have stopped to help people on the side of the road many times.
I’ve helped out other folks who’ve asked many times as well.

But, this time I chose Chinese food.

I think due to the lack of clear need. The same pair of boots 4 hours apart is not a very clear sign of needing help.
And, I hate to be disturbed when using the facilities myself, so am extra reluctant to bother others.
(Yes, my boss has sent people into the bathroom after me in the past…)

I am glad that it seems to have been a non-issue.
But, that’s luck.
I need to consider these things in the future…