Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'

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Power outlets in bathroom stalls
For use when you're in there for the long haul
  (+8, -25)(+8, -25)(+8, -25)
(+8, -25)
  [vote for,
against]


Sometimes....you just gotta go. And it may take a while to get it all squeezed out. Spending 10-15 minutes in the stall is not uncommon, especially in office buildings when employees frequently use the bathroom as an escape from work. I like to play games or surf the web on my cell phone while I'm in there, but both drain the battery life quite quickly.

Others like to bring their laptops in. Why not have power outlets in there so you can plug your device in and charge while you use it?

Edit: comes with spring-loaded outlet covers to protect the socket from getting peed on.


21 Quest, Dec 27 2006


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       While we're on the subject, I'd also like to see GSM repeaters and HotSpots in public bathrooms.

21 Quest, Dec 27 2006
  

       <aghast amazment> people bring their laptops in whilst on the toilet? </aa>   

       Anything which encourages such behaviour, such as power outlets in the stall, is just not on. -

jonthegeologist, Dec 27 2006
  

       I'd say you narrowly avoid a fishbone for "all squeezed out".   

       Seriously, you go to the loo for 15 minutes at work and spend the time playing games on your laptop or PC?   

       Dude, this is _wrong_. Really, really wrong. I think my brain is going to explode; just don't tell me where you were when you posted this... [-]

david_scothern, Dec 28 2006
  

       Take your Blackberry, fer gawd's sake!

DrCurry, Dec 28 2006
  

       Why not make good use of that bio-fuel you're producing?   

       Let's have a small burner in each cubicle for generating a bit of electricity - the more you manage to crimp off into it, the longer you get to play/surf. Nose clip recommended.

boysparks, Dec 28 2006
  

       There is a reason that paperback books fit into a pocket.   

       If you want to look like you just stopped off while working, carry a clipboard into the stall with you. Fill the clipboard with printouts of online books, and put on a cover sheet of something official.

baconbrain, Dec 28 2006
  

       I' sure internet porn addicts everywhere are applauding your noble idea.   

       As for the rest of us...

ye_river_xiv, Dec 28 2006
  

       No way, even internet Porn addicts need to eat at some point.....

jhomrighaus, Dec 28 2006
  

       I can see problems with either people who have bad aim or young people who think it's fun to pee in the outlets.

acurafan07, Dec 28 2006
  

       Do you have people that young in your workplace, acura?

21 Quest, Dec 29 2006
  

       No, not really. But still this would only really work for a work place where there are no children (ie: no hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, retail stores, shopping malls, movie theaters, doctors offices, etc.) Don't get me wrong I like the concept and if some kind of cover could be added to the outlets, I'd change my [neutral] vote to a [+] for sure.

acurafan07, Dec 29 2006
  

       I never said an outlet cover couldn't be added. They have spring-loaded outlet covers in any hardware store, commonly used to weather-proof exterior outlets.   

       I'll add it to the post, though, it's a good idea given the environment. :-)

21 Quest, Dec 29 2006
  

       [+]

acurafan07, Dec 29 2006
  

       I am not so sure that I want to lift a cover that has been peed on. I wont even touch a peed-on toilet seat.   

       Besides, most laptop batteries will give you at least 15 minutes of life. If you gotta "download" longer than that, I am sure that surfing the net isn't one of your bigger concerns.

Jscotty, Dec 29 2006
  

       [jscotty], I suppose the outlet could be on the door or doorframe; you'd need to be pretty special to score a hit on it then.

david_scothern, Dec 30 2006
  

       What if the power outlet was mounted behind and above the toilet? A kid would have to go pretty far out his way (and range) to hit it there.

21 Quest, Dec 30 2006
  

       Nah, there was a kid at my primary school who could pee almost up to the ceiling.

boysparks, Dec 30 2006
  

       [Whistles innocently...]

DrCurry, Dec 30 2006
  

       //What if the power outlet was mounted behind and above the toilet?//   

       Yeah, but could he do it backwards and over his head without hitting himself in the face? I doubt there are many people out there, of any age, who would actually stand in front of a regular toilet in a shitter stall, *trying* to piss on an electrical outlet.

21 Quest, Dec 30 2006
  

       Once I stayed in a very, funky motel in Jamaica and there was an (exposed) electrical outlet right in the wall of the shower/bathtub!

xandram, Dec 30 2006
  

       Scary. Did you report it to the hotel administration as a safety hazard?

21 Quest, Dec 30 2006
  

       In Jamaica??????   

       You've never been there I assume.   

       My favorite was the lamp in my room that had been hardwired to the outlet by simply running it under the cover plate and attaching it to the wires directly.

jhomrighaus, Dec 30 2006
  

       I'm surprised at the level of negativity directed towards this idea. Many elderly folk need to spend a long time in the toilet for example. There are any number of electrical devices that it would be great to run whilst spending time in the loo. +

xenzag, Dec 30 2006
  

       Alas! Yet another technological innovation that makes me yearn for a pocket-sized EMP generator, in this case one that will work through restroom cubicle walls.   

       There is a time and a place for everything in life, and this ain't it!

Canuck, Dec 30 2006
  

       No, I've not been to Jamaica, I admit.

21 Quest, Dec 30 2006
  

       [aero] makes a valuable point there.

david_scothern, Jan 01 2007
  

       Some of us like to be offline for a while, even if it means skulking in toilet cubicles to get away from the ever present electronic gizmos of modern life.   

       It wouldn't fly in Britain at any rate, seems you can't have a normal electrical outlet within spitting distance of a water source. Prevention of suicide I guess, but what's to stop someone from using an extension???

esperance, Jan 02 2007
  

       The 'no electrical supply near water' issue is because of the 220-240 volt supply. 'Shaver sockets' running on 110-120 volts can be placed nearer to water (there are dull exact guidelines discussed here previously...), which are just like the standard supply used in North America and elsewhere.   

       (Edit - most European laptop power adapters will work on the 120volt system)

boysparks, Jan 02 2007
  

       //a normal electrical outlet within spitting distance// - so you like to spit on live wires esperance ? is this to lubricate them before you stick them up your bum... eeeeeeekkkk ;-) ?

xenzag, Jan 02 2007
  

       C'mon most electronic devices have batteries. Unless you plan to sleep over, don't see why you'd need it.

flynn, Jan 02 2007
  

       I was in the handicapped stall the other day with a bowel "problem" that caused me to have a 30 minute visit. The whole time I was sitting on the can, this disucussion came back to my rememberance as I thought about how great it would be to have a TV in there. Maybe on the door or the door frame as David suggested would be good place for an outlet.

Jscotty, Jan 03 2007
  

       spending that much time in the "loo" or as we say in the U.S. the shi**er , wouldn't you end up with dried feces on your anus? How about this , go in handle your business and get out. You are way to into spending time taking a dump...seriously. I hope you sterilize you laptop after.

christ_wurm, May 22 2007
  

       Someone mentioned taking your blackberry in the trap. Perhaps eating a few more blackberries would mean you spend less time turning out.

theNakedApiarist, May 23 2007
  

       This seems to me to be one of those ideas when you really can't think of an idea but really want to post .. so you come up with something fairly naff and post it anyway.

britboy, May 23 2007
  

       In a world in which I never seem to be able to find enough power outlet I have to bun this idea. Not that I think spending inordinate amounts of time in the restroom is a great idea, but just because of the practicality. More outlets, everywhere.

Noexit, May 23 2007
  

       You won't be saying that when they start putting power outlets IN YOUR BRAIN!!

theleopard, May 23 2007
  

       In the UK it's against building regs to have a power outlet near water. Not so in the US - I plug my porty in to the 110V frequently while having a crap or a bath. Somewhat annoying though, when you fall asleep in the bath. And yes, I know it's risky, what can I say, I'm mad, bad, and dangerous to know :-)

gtoal, May 23 2007
  

       //And yes, I know it's risky, what can I say, I'm mad, bad, and dangerous to know :-)// 110V is for wusses.

MaxwellBuchanan, May 23 2007
  

       Some places in the US only allow home bathrooms to have outlets that are equipped with ground-fault circuit interruptors--which is fine and good, as even 110 can kill you before a fuse can blow. But the light switch for the the bathroom has to be OUTSIDE the bathroom, which has confused the hell out of me on a few visits.

baconbrain, May 23 2007
  

       Light switch for the bathroom outside the bathroom? I have NEVER seen that. Certainly that is not true in the four new bathrooms in my house. We certainly do have power outlets in the bathroom, I mean how else are you going to plug in your electric nail trimmer.

Galbinus_Caeli, May 24 2007
  

       //But the light switch for the the bathroom has to be OUTSIDE the bathroom// What's wrong with a pull-cord and a ceiling- mounted switch?

MaxwellBuchanan, May 24 2007
  

       I dunno. All I know is that I encountered outside lightswitches several places, but mostly in Seattle, and on a couple of the occasions that I have frothed out loud about the very idea, some of my to-be-pitied listeners have said, "Oh, you must have been in Seattle." Maybe it's something to do with the rain.

baconbrain, May 25 2007
  

       You know it's hard enough to smuggle one's laptop into the can, just think of the embarassment if someone saw you carrying your AC adapter as well?

ColonelMuffins, May 25 2007
  

       I have been to a few hotels that had the switch outside. Also, alot of hotel bathrooms that I've seen have the sink, mirror and an outlet in an open area, and then a bathroom that had a door with only the toilet and the shower, no outlets to speak of. Usually it's those kinds of bathrooms that have switches outside. The only trouble is in those cheap-*ss hotels that had to spare a few bucks by leaving only ONE switch for both the light ANd the fan, and THEN they get the cheapest fan that they can get their hands on! (it's the cheap fans that are REALLY loud, and often make rattling/squealing noises)

Dickcheney6, Apr 30 2008
  

       What I see as an advantage of this idea, would be that if your (phone, laptop, whatever) had old batteries that no longer worked even for a usually-brief bathroom visit (unless of course you are "hiding" in the stall away from work:) you could just plug it in.

Dickcheney6, May 26 2008
  

       Heck, why not just install a fridge, a microwave, a TV and put a sleeping bag in the toilet as well?

Bad Jim, May 27 2008
  

       On the TV series "Ally McBeal, the owner of the law firm had a tiny secret room where he could go for "quiet time", accessible through one of the stalls in the company washrooms. IIRC, there was an easy-chair in there that you could flip the seat up to reveal a working, plumbed toilet.

FlyingToaster, May 27 2008
  

       //I can see problems with either people who have bad aim or young people who think it's fun to pee in the outlets.//   

       put a waterproof outlet inside the bowl. Problem solved. (you're welcome)

r_kreher, May 30 2008
  


 
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