I hate public restrooms - work restrooms are one step below a public restroom in a lot of ways...

What’s the protocol for a workplace restroom?

When you find yourself in the restroom and a co-worker is also there at the same moment is it appropriate to conduct a conversation? I myself find it really difficult to suppress a guffaw when someone is ensconced in a stall trying mightily to conduct business. Also, it somehow takes prestige away from a manager or company president when you catch them in the stall with their pants down.

Years ago when I was at Grey there was a co-worker who was as regular as clockwork and made no secret of it by proudly announcing his foray to the lavatory and emphasizing the point by taking along reading material.

I don’t know why this comes up outside of the fact I’m really bored at work today and I just came back from a visit to the bathroom where someone was at the throne - I always feel this impetus to clear out as quickly as possible before things get really ugly and then I almost broke out laughing as the occupant was trying to stifle the sounds of the process.