It is very difficult to say this, but...

After using the restroom,

there are quite a few people who forget to flush!!! (Mega voice)

Of course, this applies regardless of gender.

It's hard to say this in real life, so I said it in a loud voice (lol).

That's right.

That is what today's story is about.

If this is not your cup of tea, please turn back now.

Due to the nature of my work, I think my encounter rate with such situations is higher than others, but...

I also encounter this a lot when I'm out in private.

Is it just me, or has it increased significantly in the last two or three years?

The fact that Western-style toilets with lids have become mainstream.

The fact that toilets with automatic flushing functions have become widespread.

I think there are various factors, but the biggest one is probably...
as part of COVID-19 infection prevention,

the announcement,

'Please close the toilet lid before flushing,'
has started being made in various places, hasn't it?

Before COVID-19,

'Flushing while the lid is closed makes it splash on the lid, which makes cleaning a pain, and it feels like it might touch my back when I sit down!'

I'm Itsuki, and I never had the habit of closing the lid and flushing.

I don't know how other people handle their toilets, but I imagine many others were the same, right?

But then, suddenly, closing the lid became etiquette in public spaces.

When people do things they aren't used to, they are bound to forget something.

Thankfully, some researcher out there has even

given us their stamp of approval, saying that the human brain can process two tasks simultaneously, but tackling three or more tasks exceeds its capacity.

So, I've been validated.

I've regained my confidence, thank you.

See the sign and close the lid.

Check that my skirt isn't tucked into my underwear.

Check that I haven't left anything behind.

That makes three things.

Of course I'm going to forget to pull the lever.

It's not your fault, and it's not mine. (Probably)

If there happens to be someone with enough peace of mind to open the lid they just closed
to check if it actually flushed.

That person must be a god in human form.

Just kidding.

That is the kind of thing I have been analyzing to myself lately, thinking that maybe that is what is happening on the ground (lol).

Maybe.

Regarding the 'large' and 'small' flush levers on the toilet,

“'Large' when you have done a 'large' one”

“'Small' when you have done a 'small' one”

I sometimes wonder if there are people who think that.

The correct answer is,

“'Large' when there is paper or solid matter”

“'Small' when it is only liquid”

that is the correct answer.

If you use toilet paper, 'large' is the only choice.

Like Itsuki at the beginning,

『So-and-so, you didn't flush!!』

I think people with the courage to tell someone that are probably a very small minority here in Japan, where people have a shy national character.

『So-and-so, you tend to forget to flush, don't you?』

Just saying.

If you were to be labeled with such a dishonorable tag,
in the unlikely event that you were,

Itsuki would feel very uncomfortable.

Even for someone like Itsuki who does this kind of work,
when I encounter such a scene unexpectedly without being mentally prepared,

"Whoa!"

I let out an unglamorous scream,

and out of a sense of duty, I just turn the lever to flush while looking at the ceiling.

Then I dash into the next stall.

That is just how it is.

I've heard that at some cleaning companies that work in hotels and hospitals, employees are trained to walk out of a room backwards while checking the interior until the very end to ensure nothing was left behind, no items were forgotten, and that doors were closed properly.

Ever since I heard that, I have tried to do the same in my daily work and in my private life.

Though I forget as soon as I let my guard down (lol)

It is not good to do anything unconsciously.

A restroom is a place where you are even more likely to let your guard down.

Leave no trace behind.

Let's be careful with each other
so that we don't unconsciously inflict mental damage on others!

#ThingsIMakeAHabit

#Essay

#Itsuki

#note