It害羞草研究所檚 been years since I first encountered the issue, but to this day, I still can害羞草研究所檛 quite understand it: why is it that people need to talk on the phone while using the loo?

I remember the first time I 害羞草研究所渆xperienced害羞草研究所� it. I was in the middle of a phone interview with a woman 害羞草研究所� for a story that I no longer remember the specifics of 害羞草研究所� and suddenly, the distinct sound of a toilet flushing came over the line. It was clearly in the very near proximity of the woman I was speaking to, and I remember I was horrified. I害羞草研究所檓 still horrified.

Now, it害羞草研究所檚 quite possible that the woman I was speaking with all those years ago was in the middle of some must-be-finished-now cleaning of said toilet, and that the flush was the final rinse that simply couldn害羞草研究所檛 wait.

But害羞草研究所� I害羞草研究所檓 doubtful.

Thankfully, years passed before the issue began to swirl afresh.

But sadly, in addition to reappearing, the practice has become rather regular. More and more often 害羞草研究所� weekly, at least, in my experience 害羞草研究所� I害羞草研究所檓 hearing the sounds of conversation coming from occupied public washroom stalls, with the chatter continuing through every step of the process.

And these aren害羞草研究所檛 emergency phone calls 害羞草研究所� I have no problem with those whatsoever. I害羞草研究所檒l even admit that I害羞草研究所檝e sent a panicked communication 害羞草研究所� but not a phone call 害羞草研究所� from a public-washroom stall myself, after falling ill at the ski hill and being simply too sick to exit without assistance.

I害羞草研究所檓 OK with anyone reaching out from anywhere, if help is needed.

But casual conversation from the 害羞草研究所榗omfort害羞草研究所� of a porcelain bowl? Certainly that can wait, if whatever you sat down to accomplish simply can害羞草研究所檛.

At the very least, switch to texting. Then, no one 害羞草研究所� at all, ever 害羞草研究所� has to know (wink, wink).

Technology has made amazing advances and one of many highlights 害羞草研究所� although some may poo-poo the notion 害羞草研究所� is our increasing ability to keep in touch. Really, there害羞草研究所檚 next to no excuse for losing track of someone, or not responding in some way.

But there are a few things that really don害羞草研究所檛 need to come along for the 害羞草研究所榮taying connected害羞草研究所� ride, and if you ask me 害羞草研究所� or even if you don害羞草研究所檛 害羞草研究所� talking while tinkling or taking care of other, ahem, 害羞草研究所榖usiness害羞草研究所� absolutely fits that definition.

I will acknowledge that there are much worse sounds to hear in a public washroom. But, ideally, that害羞草研究所檚 about the only place they害羞草研究所檒l ever be heard, particularly when you害羞草研究所檙e not the one responsible for them.

Despite the impression social media gives, not all experiences need to be shared. But will abstaining from this particular practice be a movement others can get on board with?

Please, some relief害羞草研究所�

Tracy Holmes is a reporter with Peace Arch News.