Posted by Karl on 23/8/2017, 12:12 pm, in reply to "talking and peeing"

Hi Nick. Actually a urinal etiquette we are taught at the workshop is to break what feels like unnatural silence as it switches the brain to the rational side and helps reduce the control paruresis has on oneself. Here are examples the workshop gave us... "Better out than in", "Bloody cold isn't it", and "Good penalty that wasn't it". I break unnatural silence when i go into changing rooms and use public showers which has desensed me around other men especially as a lot of the other regulars do the same. By doing this i have made friends and acquaintances to talk to in the process which has been a bonus. Examples of conversations are... "Cold in that pool today wasn't it", and "Busy in there today wasn't it?". Men just make conversation with you such as "Yes it is but not as cold as it was yesterday" or "It was busy in there, i wonder why?" and sometimes other men join in the conversation too. Nobody gets the wrong idea about you and it helps you get used to the environment. This is similar to what you have been doing already but i wouldn't say "hello" or "goodbye" to men when approaching or leaving urinals or make a joke however, what you have said already in Paris is fine.

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