<p>The majority of Americans are full of it, according to new research. Seven in 10 Americans are holding their poop in all to avoid using a public restroom. </p><p>A new survey of 2,000 general population Americans asked about their pooping preferences and found 69% hate pooping in public so much, they hold it in until they can be in the comfort of their own home.</p><p>Men were also more likely to agree with this mindset, at 74% compared to 65% of women surveyed.</p><p>On average, Americans are holding it in for two and half hours in order to poop at home – and men are willing to wait three hours, compared to two hours for women.</p><p>Why are people putting themselves through this discomfort? The survey found 64% of respondents agreed they’re just uncomfortable with using a public restroom for No. 2.</p><p>Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of MiraLAX</a>, the survey asked respondents what the most important points of public restroom etiquette are and found peeping through the gaps in the doors is the biggest violation (48%).</p><p>Forty-six percent of those surveyed who are uncomfortable with using a public restroom shared it’s because they don’t want anyone hearing them do their business.</p><p>An additional 44% said they’re uncomfortable pooping in a strange or unknown environment and three in 10 are a little pee shy, citing they don’t like going to the bathroom around other people.</p><p>The survey also delved into the role pooping plays in the workplace – and the separate set of anxieties that come with the territory. </p><p>As many Americans return to the office for the first time in months, one in five American office workers cited having to use the office bathroom as a prime reason they are stressed about the return to the office amid the pandemic.</p><p>Of those surveyed who are employed (approximately 1,300 respondents), 71% agreed they have a special bathroom they specifically use for #2 at work.</p><p>Moreover, 66% of American workers admit to holding it in to avoid using their workplace restroom. As a result, this has caused a staggering 64% of workers to become constipated.</p><p>As more and more workers return to their offices and are forced to revisit pre-pandemic bathroom habits, workstipation, the stress associated with “going” at the office resulting in a backed-up gut, is likely to rear its ugly head,” said David Ball, General Manager and Vice President Marketing – Digestive Health at Bayer. “With so many workplace bathrooms considered uncomfortable, it is important Americans are armed with effective solutions when constipation arises to aid in helping them go comfortably.”</p><p>Aside from the toilet paper and bad smells, other workplace bathroom pet peeves for employed respondents included coworkers trying to talk to them while they’re in a stall (36%) and witnessing co-workers walk out without washing their hands (31%).</p><p>Seven in 10 employed respondents shared they feel self-conscious about pooping at work – with the top reasons including fearing they use the restroom longer than others (50%) and, in turn, having their co-workers judge them for taking too long (40%).</p><p>“Americans deserve to feel comfortable when it comes to pooping at work, in spite of the many reasons workplace bathrooms can be a less-than-ideal experience, as avoiding going can cause much discomfort,” Ball continued. </p><p>PUBLIC RESTROOM ETIQUETTE</p><ol><li>Don’t look through gaps in the doors - 48%</li><li>Don’t talk, especially to someone who’s urinating/defecating - 46%</li><li>Keep one stall/urinal between you and the next person - 40%</li><li>Avoid making unnecessary noises - 39%</li><li>Avoid eye contact - 32%</li><li>Leave as quickly as possible - 32%</li><li>Avoid making or taking phone calls - 32%</li></ol><p>TOP WORKPLACE BATHROOM PET PEEVES</p><ol><li>Thin toilet paper - 44%</li><li>Bad smells - 43%</li><li>Gaps in bathroom stalls - 37%</li><li>Coworkers trying to speak to you while you are in a stall - 36%</li><li>Hearing sounds coming from other stalls - 34%</li><li>Coworkers that don’t wash their hands - 31%</li><li>When coworkers are in the bathroom and you need to poop - 22%</li><li>Coworkers gathering and talking - 12%</li></ol>
