Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tatertot]

This may seem kind of random, but I've been thinking about it for a while. Here goes:

In many Korean public (men's) restrooms, the urinals are on the side opposite the door, making it possible for anybody walking by to see the urinals and their users. The stalls are usually on the same side as the door, making them generally invisible to passersby. I don't generally suffer from "stage fright" while urinating, but even so, this strikes me as odd. It seems to me that it would make more sense to reverse this so that stalls are visible from outside and urinals are not (if anything must be visible).

If this was only something I encountered only rarely, I might consider it the result of bad or thoughtless design. However, it seems to me that the majority of men's restrooms here use this layout. So, my question is why? Is there a reason for this, or is it just "the way it's done"?

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

[murmanjake]

I've noticed it too. Dunno why.

[Zyzyfer]

It's so the ladies can scope some peeing dudes. Yeah!

[akcrono]

I think it has more to do with the non-issue of men and women sharing a bathroom. There are so many bathrooms where the only thing separating a man and woman urinating is a stall door. I guess its just not a big deal here for a woman to see a man using a urinal.

[movybuf]

I remember when I first came here and took a walk around the Han River park there were three-sided open air urinals for men. Male urination doesn't seem to have the same stigma, for lack of a better word, than it does in the west.

[Mr. Peabody]

It makes it easier for the hwajangshil ajuma to peek in and check up on business.

[PigeonFart]

It's designed that way so the Korean men can not be seen NOT washing their hands!