Don’t worry, this is not about how disgusting toilets can be by the end of a light. I just came from India where clean public toilets are a rarity. CX is good about keeping it’s planes clean, though. This story is about mid-flight behavior.
People amaze me sometimes. On airplanes, when the lavatory is in use, the occupant will, 99.9 % of the time, lock the door. When this happens, the lights go on in the little vestibule, and on the outside of the door a sign switches from “Vacant” to “Occupied.” Amazingly, this doesn’t stop people from trying to break-in.
On the inside it’s obvious the door is locked and the lights on. Should be obvious on the outside, too. But this won’t stop people from grabbing the handle, rattling it numerous times, and attempting to enter. Are they sending a message, “Hurry-up, you’re taking too long. What are you doing, writing a book?”
“Hey, I just got in here!”
… or is this a hold-up? Are you attempting to hijack the toilet? “Land now or I’ll flush!”
Trying to be compassionate, maybe we’re dealing with people who don’t read English and never travel. Therefore, they have no idea how Airborne Bathrooms work. Occasionally, and this is another wonder of the world, you’ll find the “Vacant/Occupied” sign in French. (Wishful thinking perhaps that this will be the next universal language?) I can just imagine the Airbus salespeople meeting with the CX buyers…
Airbus: now, on zee battroom, zee standard zignage ezz in francais, mais oui, vee can change zat to anglais for a small prass.
CX: (whispering to each other: we can’t afford that level of customisation, this plane is already costing us 2 billion.) To Airbus: no that’s okay. We’ll take the standard signage, mm-goy!
Airbus: no problem, you’re zee cuztomer.
Back to rattling the chains of airplane bathroom occupants. This behavior is similar to Hong Kong, where people will push the elevator call button, even though already lit, in hopes the elevator will arrive faster.
I don’t think so. Now leave me alone – I have another blog to write before I’m finished in here.
Reader interactions
5 Replies to “Airplane toilets”
One would think that a lit light is understandable in any language!! But, Ohhhh Nooooo! (lol) Though it really isn’t fenny when YOU are the one in the Bathroom!
Here from the lovely Michele tonight and happy to be here, I might add!
It never fails, when I fly if I happen to venture to the lavatory, someone will come back and jingle that handle….it just blows my mind! Makes my bad side want to delay my stay in there just a tad bit longer! But then my good side says, what if they are in dire need, so I try to hurry. LOL
Very funny post….glad I popped in!
Very funny!
I am wondering – do you and Tess try to teach the kids any French??
I am slowly working with my kids. My 6 yob loves for me to tuck him in at night by pressing the sheets against his upper chest and bouncing him up and down! He always lets me know he is ready by counting down in the wee bit of french I have taught him! LOL
I check you and Tess’ blogs daily, they are some of my favs!
well, if you happen to be on Philippine airlines……..it will be likely there will be so tissue or paper supplies………as they like to take extra to take home.
Thanks for stopping by.
I know exactly what you mean about the bathrooms, it isn’t limited to airplanes as well. I have had someone stand outside the door and start yelling at me to hurry up. Uh, yeah, that’s nice.