I guess it's okay, but personally, I wouldn't do it. Most public restrooms are dirty and disgusting — hardly erotic to me. Then, too, there are too many busybodies who could hassle you (at best) or call the police (at worst) if they suspected you of having a wank. People like George Michael and Pee Wee Herman can live that kind of thing down because they're rich and famous; and frankly, entertainers aren't held to very high standards, anyway. Ordinary people will be embarrassed, fired, shunned, and maybe registered as a sex offender. I know some people are turned on by risk, but this just isn't worth it.
- age 48, Colorado
This Week's Wackiest Response:
It depends on the architecture of the facility. Classical, neo-classical, and traditional vernacular styles are highly conducive to masturbation. If the style is brutalist, modern, or post-modern, masturbation would probably add nothing to the ambience, as the design will effectively already amount to a display of masturbation on the part of the architect.
- age 47, United Kingdom
I don't understand why so many people abhor the thought of someone masturbating in a private stall in the restroom. I mean, so long as they're being discreet and not bothering anyone, what's the problem? It's personal relief, and the last time I checked, restrooms were designed for relieving yourself and freshening up. The only people I've seen to be against this idea are the same people who vocally oppose acknowledging masturbation publicly. I guess just "knowing" that someone may be masturbating in the stall next to them is unsettling for some ridiculous reason. Anyway, I trust the person next to me to not pee on my shoe while I'm in the stall. As long as he leaves me alone while he happily yanks away (and again, discreetly), it's perfectly fine by me.
- age 21, Florida
It's perfectly okay as long as one isn't obvious about it. After all, masturbation is a normal, but private, function — no "worse" than the actual elimination functions. So why shouldn't it be okay to do "number three" under the same circumstances as "number one" and "number two"? Well, one exception to that would be masturbating at a urinal; that would be "public indecency." But in closed stalls, which is what you asked about, no problem!
- age 42, Arizona
It depends. I think it's fine if you don't bother other people by making loud noises. Of course, if you're going to wank there, please don't ejaculate all over the place! Either ejaculate into some toilet paper and flush it, or ejaculate straight into the toilet. So, yes, it's fine to masturbate in a public restroom as long as you don't leave a mess and are considerate of others around you. One more thing: At a party, this could be a positive alternative to having sex afterward.
- age 14, Georgia
I go to a YMCA up the street from my place and I have seen guys masturbating there in the open shower area. I don't think that's okay. However, I don't see a problem with a guy going into the shower stall and masturbating. It is behind the stall door, many guys probably have done that and not gotten caught, so I don't see a problem.
- age 21, Canada
I went into a Sears bathroom once and was masturbating at the urinal because no one was in there, and my dad walked in to see why I was taking so long to pee. I didn't hear him come in and almost died when I saw him there. He was cool about it; he just said, "Why don't you wait until you get home to finish up. I know that when the mood hits, you have to get it out of your system, but a public place is not always the best place. We are going home right after this, so just hang in there, man, until we get home." We went home and he took my mother out for dinner so I could finish my thing. He knows what it was like, I think. I guess he has been there before.
- age 15, California
I guess that depends on exactly what you mean by "public." I have masturbated in the bathroom at work a number of times, but have always been careful about the bathroom being empty at the time. If someone were to come in as I was in the middle of wanking, I would stop and wait until they left. After all, the stall fronts have gaps, and you could be seen. I also used to masturbate in the communal bathroom at my college dorm, and at my college library's restroom. But I can't imagine doing it in say, the bathroom at McDonald's or Home Depot. I also would not want to discover someone else doing it there!
- age 42, New Jersey
I personally believe that masturbation is a private thing. Somebody could share it with people they know if they want, but those people would also have the right to accept or deny that invitation. So, even if you feel close enough to the stranger in the adjacent stall to share your masturbation (sounds) with them, they probably don't want to hear it — just as you don't want to hear the "ker-splash" coming from next door. Assuming you can keep quiet and you really feel the urge and can't wait, I think it is okay. But if you aren't quiet, you are basically sharing your masturbation with people who don't necessarily want it to know about it. So my answer is yes (if you're quiet) and no (if you are loud — like me).
- age 17, Arizona
I wouldn't blame someone who masturbates in a public restroom, but I would find it too uncomfortable, both physically and psychologically, to do it in such a place myself. For the same reason, I wouldn't like to do it at a peep show in a sex shop, even in a distant city where no one would know me. One day, I wasn't actually masturbating, but I was in a restroom and having a quick look at a porn magazine I had just bought. Unfortunately, a page wasn't attached with the rest, and it fell and slipped under the door of a stall where someone was sitting! It was rather embarrassing. I should add that it was in the toilets of the Ashmoleum Museum in Oxford. Can you imagine, in such a respectable institution, what the person must have thought if he saw this porn sheet coming under the door of his closed stall?
- age 40, Belgium
I think it's fine as long as you keep it to yourself. Whenever I do it, which actually is quite often, I am super-quiet. I don't solicit others to join me, and basically do all I can to make sure whoever else is in there has no idea I'm masturbating. It almost always works. And, as I said, I never initiate anything mutual with anyone in there, but on more than one occasion, the guy in the stall next to me has gotten things going — which is always fun!
- age 23, Wisconsin
What's more disgusting: taking a big, stinky dump or masturbating? I think taking a big, stinky dump is more disgusting (especially to other people in the restroom at the same time) and ought to be banned from public restrooms. The stalls should be used strictly for masturbation and should be renamed "wanking stations."
- age 42, California
I think it's perfectly okay, though that may be because I've done it a great many times. As long as you don't make a lot of noise or leave a mess behind, what's the harm? When traveling with your family, sometimes the only chance you get to masturbate is in a public restroom! Besides, there's something about masturbating when people are walking about all around you just a few feet away that's a real turn-on.
- age 18, North Carolina
It's not an uncommon practice, but for several reasons, I think it should not be done out of respect for others. Hygienically, semen or vaginal lubrication on a toilet seat is not clean; in fact, it's downright gross to the next person who uses the stall. Also, if you're trying to do your thing and someone else is grunting and groaning in the stall next to you, it may seem arousing for them (in public) but can be freaky and weird to another person. So I guess it's okay to do it in an "emergency situation," if you are quiet and clean up after yourself.
- age 29, California (female)
Tough call — I wouldn't want to get caught. That would be embarrassing as well as potentially illegal (although a court of law would have to determine when it stops being a "shake" at the urinal). On the other hand (ahem), I've done it several times myself. I've also found others masturbating in public restrooms, when I was on duty and I had to make sure that the gentleman in the last stall was all right. (He was more than all right; he was having a wonderful time!) Actually, I found myself getting aroused by this and had to find a, shall we say, discreet location of my own. Anyway, it doesn't bother me at all, but in general, it probably isn't an appropriate place.
- age 31, Washington
From experience, I personally think it is okay, as long as the bathroom is fairly clean. This past summer I was at a police camp for a week and there were tons of activities going on throughout the day. With a dozen other boys in the same "company" and in the same dorm as I, there was no privacy at all. After about the 5th day I couldn't hold it any longer, went into one of the stalls, and masturbated before I went to bed. The thing is — we had to clean the stalls and showers every morning. I'm not sure if I would masturbate in a dirty bathroom; that's a little unsanitary.
- age 14, Pennsylvania
No. It's socially unacceptable, deviant, creepy behavior. Come on now — who is *so* weak-willed and self-indulgent that they can't wait until they get home or back to their hotel? I also think it's rude to others that may have to use the restroom; they shouldn't have to hear someone masturbating. It's disrespectful. Would you like your 10-year-old kid to walk into the public restroom at a restaurant or airport and hear someone doing it in a stall? I wouldn't!
- age 34, California
No, because what if the next person in that stall bumps into your semen if it's on a wall, or sits on it on the toilet seat? But still, I do it because it's exciting and some people watch you through the little crack in the door.
- age 15, New York
I don't see a problem as long as they clean up. Any diseases they may be carrying would die in a few seconds after making contact with the air, so that isn't an issue. It'd just be really gross to walk into a bathroom and see a big blob of semen on the floor or whatever, so definitely wipe up.
- age 19, New Jersey
I live in a dorm and the only restrooms are public. I prefer to masturbate in one of the shower stalls. It gets very steamy in there. I keep the curtain closed, and I can hear other guys masturbating at the same time, which increases the intensity of my orgasm. I can be loud if I want! In my bed, I feel too restricted. Now, I get very aroused when I go to other public restrooms and need to masturbate there, too.
- age 22, North Carolina
I don't think there is anything wrong with masturbating in a public toilet. I have masturbated in public toilets before. If it is in a toilet that isn't busy, I masturbate standing up and ejaculate into the urinal. I do this when I get the chance because the idea of getting caught makes me ejaculate faster. The orgasm at the end of the masturbation session is also good.
- age 15, Australia
I don't think that there's anything wrong with it, as long as you're not being disruptive or leaving a mess. When I was in college, I would do it in the bathrooms while studying to relieve tension and stress. I'd just make sure I was quiet and cleaned up. If somebody else walked into the bathroom, I wouldn't stop, I might slow down, but I wouldn't stop. The thought that as I was masturbating, there was a person next to me that didn't know what I was doing was really erotic.
- age 30, Iowa
Why not?
- age 23, Norway
It is wrong to masturbate in a public restroom. Sex and masturbation are very personal and private matters. I don't want to be taking a dump and have the guy standing 3 feet away from me ejaculating all over the stall. Public bathrooms are dirty enough; we shouldn't have to worry about coming in contact with other peoples' sexual fluids, and potential STDs. Please, keep masturbation in your own domain.
- age 16, New York
I have seen this many times, even though the stall door is closed and locked. Depending on the restroom, the lighting shines down, and a silhouette of the person appears as a shadow. The vigorous back and forth movement can be seen on the floor if you stand up. When sitting down, it can be fairly obvious by movement of the feet, calves and perhaps shorts around your ankles. I have noticed that in most every case, it seems to be foreign and military guys who opt for this venue. But whatever the case, if you need to do it and it's the only place, I say go after it.
- age 24, Mississippi
Not really. My reason is simple enough for this one. Public bathrooms are usually pretty darn nasty and frequently used by innocent people that need some relief. I mean, public bathrooms, such as at a Burger King, is where people (often families) go to eat, and possibly use the restroom. It is not a place to get your thing going and use up space. Do it in your car if you are that desperate, or an adult-bookstore bathroom where it is not so public or out of the ordinary. I masturbate often, but I would never do it in a public restroom.
- age 23, West Virginia
It's dangerous. I had an employee do that once. An undercover police officer looked over the door, caught him, and arrested him.
- age 61, Oregon
It's just like having sex. Do you think it's okay for people to have sex in a public restroom behind a closed stall door? I think you should do that at home.
- age 16, Belgium
It's pretty sad, really — I mean, how comfortable can it be? The only time I did that was when I used to share a bedroom at college and there was less opportunity to masturbate in privacy. I'd go to one particular cubicle on campus and would often wank — but I'd stop if anyone came into the restroom. It often left me feeling even more frustrated. The next year I got a room of my own and I much preferred being totally nude and would take more time, make more noise and generally feel more relaxed.
- age 36, United Kingdom
I did it in a public stall at Wal-Mart once and it was a bad thing. I was alone in there and this guy came in as I was getting ready to climax. I think he heard me, and I saw him peek through the crack in the stall, and I freaked out. I put my junk up in my pants right away and ejaculated in my underwear because I was so close when he started peeking. I was scared that he would tell someone. When I left the bathroom, he was showing me his erect penis at the urinal. I went out to find my mom and tried to get her to leave quickly. When we left, I saw him in the parking lot. He squeezed his crotch through his jeans, and I almost passed out. No one ever knew about that, but it freaked me out badly!
- age 16, Georgia
It's hard to say — aside from some very real concerns about disease prevention and cleanliness (imagine going to flush the toilet and putting your hands into some stranger's body fluids), the voluntary or involuntary noises a person makes while masturbating would make quite a few other people in the restroom feel uncomfortable. However, I'd be lying if I said I never masturbated in the restroom at work, or on a plane. Sometimes, you just need to "take care of business" when you don't have access to a completely private space. I'd also be lying if I said I didn't think it was a massive turn-on to be masturbating so close to people who have no idea what I'm doing.
- age 32, New York
It is wrong to masturbate in a public restroom — period. While masturbation is a beautiful way to explore your sexuality, the restroom is simply not the place to experience orgasms. While you may clean up your semen and not spill any on the floor or toilet, it is still very gross to think that when I sit down on the toilet and my penis and scrotum flop onto the seat that someone may have ejaculated onto it recently. I have no qualms with you masturbating in your bathroom at home. Therefore, if you *must* masturbate in a restroom, do it in your personal bathroom.
- age 18, Pennsylvania
Sure it is okay! Sometimes it's the only way to masturbate. This summer I was in a hostel sharing the room with my mate. We couldn't masturbate in front of each other, so we each masturbated in the shower behind the door. Each knew what the other was doing and it was okay!
- age 23, Italy
I think it's great. Being in public enhances the chance of being discovered masturbating (even behind the doors, because as we all know, there's plenty of space to see through), and it really increases the pleasure, in my opinion. I do it occasionally and always get chills when someone walks by my stall. It feels great, and I enjoy it more, although I've never dared to ejaculate in a public bathroom.
- age 13, North Carolina
If the person is discreet, tidy, alone, and no one is waiting for the stall, I can think of no reason not to masturbate if they need to. The operative words here are "closed stall," which should be sufficiently private for such activities. I have done so on a few occasions, usually in a locker room bathroom stall. I'm hardly the only one that has done so, judging by some of the evidence I've found from people who are less tidy than I am.
- age 62, Michigan
I think it is okay. I've done it before, and the feeling of possibly getting "caught" makes the feeling a lot better. What's even nicer is when you hear the same noises coming from the stall next to you; you have a feeling that you're sharing a bond with someone.
- age 17, New Jersey
I'm not sure whether it's okay, but if it isn't, I have some serious repenting to do. Then again, why shouldn't it be okay? I think there should be a masturbation section in all public restrooms, because truthfully, I am getting tired of trying to keep quiet when I'm in there.
- age 23, Pennsylvania
I wouldn't masturbate in a public restroom for the fear of getting an STD from the toilet.
- age 18, Ohio
I'd say its fine as long as they are discreet about sounds and messes. If I can't tell they're doing it, then there is nothing wrong with it. However I wouldn't want to take my child into a restroom to hear pleasured moans coming from the next stall, or into a men's room with semen all over the door or wall. I personally would not masturbate in a public restroom simply because it is quite unsanitary. However, as for fitting rooms, that's another story . . . .
- age 23, Massachusetts (female)
I don't see why not. What people usually do in there is less sanitary than masturbation, anyway. I'd rather hear a rhythmic beating in the next stall than what I've heard in the past.
- age 19, Canada
As long as the door is closed, why not have a wank? It is perfectly natural to masturbate, and at least this person is not doing it in public. I have masturbated in public bathrooms before, mainly at summer camp. If someone came in, I would stop and wait until they left — mainly because I make a lot of noise! But I have walked into bathrooms and heard the slapping sound, and I just ignored it. It is better than hearing someone making really gross noises on the toilet!
- age 15, Canada
It's not okay if I'm waiting in line while you wank!
- age 22, Washington
It is fine to masturbate in a private stall. First, everyone knows that masturbation is natural, and in the unlikely event that someone noticed you were masturbating, it is unlikely that they would be offended. If they were to take offense, it wouldn't bother me. I don't care what a narrow-minded person thinks of me. I have masturbated in the stalls of my university toilet on several occasions, and just today, I masturbated in the shower at a music festival. The showers were on the back of a truck and shared a communal change area, with rows of tiny showers separated by curtains that didn't cover all the gaps. I didn't care if someone noticed, but I was quick and quiet about what I was doing.
- age 21, Australia
Morally I think it is okay and who cares where you masturbate, but as far as the law is concerned, you are masturbating in a public place, and if you were caught, you could get into trouble!
- age 61, Colorado
If they are not flashing, being noisy, or obvious about it, I would think that a bathroom stall with a closed door is considered a private place, even in John Ashcroft's America.
- age 42, Florida