Posted by Robin on 14/4/2009, 6:20 pm

Hi all, The wife wanted to go shopping at West Quay in Southampton, so I took the opportunity to get a bit more practice in. West Quay is a large shopping centre with toilets on the ground floor and at the top by the food hall. These are modern and spacious and whilst the urinals don't have dividers, they do have this funky sensor thing that seems to make them flush a couple of seconds after you stand there which I found most helpful! There was a steady flow of people and I managed to go a couple down from people several times. I also tried my luck at Ikea across the road which had 2 toilets, one with 3 urinals and one with just two, but they had dividers. I was able to go here no problem - in the one with only 2 urinals they were both busy on my arrival so I had to wait to use one, but I was able to go no problem. I also ventured into M&S but it was empty so no challenge there, but John Lewis provided more interesting as it had 3 urinals with no dividers, and when I first popped in there, number 2 was in use, so I went to no. 3 and someone quickly took no.1 and I had a misfire, though I probably only stood there for about 25 seconds or so. I then went back to the food hall ones and had a couple more successes before going back to John Lewis where I followed some bloke in , who went to the middle one (poor etiquette), so I went to no.3 and after about 10-15 seconds I went, so I was very pleased with myself, a very good morning's work! I have to stress that I would never have been able to do this without firstly, going to a workshop, and secondly, going to a follow-up workshop. They have completely changed my mindset, and now I am in control rather than my AP being in control of me. I have been to West Quay before, but I couldn't remember what the toilets were like because before I would have headed straight for the cubicles without giving the urinals a second glance. The fact that I was disappointed that the toilets in M&S were empty is proof enough! So for those of you going on the next workshop, you won't regret it, and if you are thinking about doing one - do it - it will change your life! Lastly, I still fin pub toilets most challenging - especially when it's 2 or 3 urinals close together or a trough! Also as Raymond said in his 'Perplexed' posting a few weeks ago, I also find that when I've had a few pints I seem to get more anxious about going whereas you would have thought the alcohol would make me more relaxed. I suppose after years of being in pubs where I'd be watching the toilet door like a hawk, or waiting until after my mates had all been until I go, means that pub toilets are at the top of my hierarchy and where I have felt most anxious in the past. Going out with a couple of mates on Thursday though, so I shall drink a pint of water beforehand and get a bit of practice in! Keep up the good work fellas, Robin

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