What really happens in the women’s bathroom.

When I decided to be a computer science major in college, I knew I was embarking onto a path that would lead me into a male dominated industry.  But I can honestly say I had no idea what that would really mean in the day to day goings on of the office.

I’ve been disappointed that during my time in the industry I haven’t seen more women joining the ranks of engineers.  There are more and more designers and artists in game development but I work with very few female engineers.  Of course there are exceptions, just by being there I’m one myself, and the others I’ve met have all been interesting and sometimes inspiring people to work with.

But that’s something you can think about any time.  The bathroom is another story.  There are usually screaming kids, makeup, someone crying, sometimes someone sick and people comforting them, someone is always out of toilet paper and trying to ask around for it etc.

Now take a peek into a women’s bathroom near the engineering team.  It’s like a graveyard which leads to a whole new social situation that no other women’s bathroom has preparred me for.

Assume you know the bathroom is a quiet place that there is rarely anyone else in, so if you need to have a quick phone conversation you duck in there.  Now assume you’re a person in the stall doing your business while this new person comes in to make a call.  Is it ok to flush or more polite to wait until they are done with their conversation?  A flush is going to be an unmistakable giveaway of where they are and who knows who they’re talking to.

We also have these nifty motion sensing lights in our office.  I’m happy to know we’re saving electricity, but when you’re sitting there for a few minutes and suddenly the lights go off what is a girl supposd to do?   It’s not like I can jump up and wave my arms around since I’m somewhat busy.  And if someone does happen to come in and realize you’ve been sitting there in the dark it is just a tad embarassing.

My favorite is what I call the “zombie  bodyslam”.  If you know you’re going to be the only one in the bathroom, and the stall doors always swing shut after you, the normal thing to do is walk into the bathroom and walk right into the first stall.  The problem is if someone just happens to be in that stall and you, in your zombie state, slam right into the stall door.  I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened and I still have a hard time not laughing out loud.  But I can’t for the life of me figure out when I was supposed to pick up the social etiquette for this one.

In the end it just gives me a lot more respect for all the women who had to brave a new path for the first time because I’m definitely not the first to do my job, but there are so many things I just wasn’t prepared for.

AFK BIO.

- Jen