Toilet shame: a question of education and seduction?

That's where it all starts: childhood. From our earliest years, when we can barely grasp objects, little girls and boys learn that many things are dirty. We've almost all heard it as children: “Don't touch it, it's poo”? [2]. Excrements, as things that should not be touched or approached at the risk of being contaminated. Dejecta, the opposite of clean. And yet, there's nothing dirty about poo.

In our society, we learn that clean is beautiful. It's pure, fresh and clean, like an ideal to be constantly strived for. Even more so for a little girl. Don't we force our children to scrub themselves at the slightest stain? They have to be clean in all circumstances, to smell good. Newborns are now offered eau de toilette. We mask, we eliminate, we're afraid and ashamed of the slightest dirt and smell. Of anything that could be “poo”.

The result is a direct impact on our relationship with the toilet, condemned to be called “the little corner”, as if we were doing something there that had to be hidden. Almost shameful.

91% of women and 88% of men are ashamed of the smells they leave behind in the bathroom. 89% of women and 85% of men are ashamed of the noises they make. And 63% of women and 54% of men are afraid that others are imagining them having a bowel movement!

19% of French people say they are unable to defecate at home when other people are near the toilet, and 38% say they are unable to defecate in public places.

In the world of work, 36% to 50% of employees are reluctant to have a bowel movement. French employees are thus adopting avoidance strategies that can become problematic in the long term.

From avoidance strategies to ill-being: when shame takes over our health.

The AFV (Association Française d'Urologie) recommends going to the toilet every 3 hours [3]. The figures below, provided by IFOP [4], prove that we do not go.

We know the “why”: shame and/or embarrassment.

The “how” is another story. How do we hold back for so long, at the risk of experiencing parcopresis [5]?

Let's take the example of an employee. He develops very simple avoidance strategies, whether conscious or not:

• Drink less than necessary, creating a breeding ground for dehydration and constipation.

• Eat less than they'd like, causing a lack of concentration.

• Going to the toilet before going to work/on the way home at midday.

• Going to a public toilet outside work.

• And for 11% of employees, the choice to take medication (antidiarrhoeals).

And when the employee can't hold back any longer, he puts in place real stratagems, which can also be found in the intimate sphere:

• Close all doors

• Play music

• Put paper in the water to muffle the noise

• Turn on the tap/flush the toilet to mask the noise

Techniques used by 63% of French people at least once in their lives.

The result?

• 62% have experienced or are currently experiencing constipation problems.

• 61% have experienced or are currently experiencing digestive problems.

• 23% have experienced or are currently experiencing colon irritation.

• 13% have experienced or are currently experiencing encopresis [6].
  
  

Adapted solutions : public toilets for a wellness bubble, make-up, relaxation...

As you know, at BubblesMapper, we want you to be able to take care of yourself at all times. Going to the toilet and defecating are nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it's about taking time for yourself and listening to your body. If the saying goes “a healthy mind in a healthy body”, we also believe that it's the body that first contributes to the well-being of the mind.

Our application allows you to find public toilets near you, wherever you are. Rated by the community, they let you know what facilities are available.

We're doing everything we can to ensure that the public restroom offer moves away from the traditional experience of unhygienic, smelly toilets. It must evolve towards the discovery of comfortable places where you can find yourself for a moment.

If you're looking for a break from the hectic pace of everyday life, or want to touch up your make-up, give yourself a makeover, change your child, drink some water, feel good about your body, find yourself in your own bubble... there's every reason to use BubblesMapper.

Give yourself a moment to find yourself, so that you can remain confident and serene throughout your day.