Reading on the toilet

[KittyGlitter]

Why do people read in the toilet? Do you carry on reading once you've done the business? I've never understood this one, so please enlighten me!!

[Loosehead]

Well I read when doing number two's just so the time can be utilised. Generally I'll finish the page I'm on and leave, what I call my "bog book" in there. Hence I read at least one page per visit, my bog book at the moment is over 800 pages so it's take years to read!

[becks]

I ALWAYS read on the loo! Find it a nice distraction, often i'll read to the end of a chapter even when i'm done, and i really have to make myself put a magazine down if i'm enjoying reading it. it's just nice to read uninterrupted doing my business haha!!

[Top totty]

My husband reads on the loo and so does my brother, they can both be in there for nearly 1/2 hour so I would hope they have well and truely finished by that time. They both take in the paper or my husband takes in the car manual for the car he is restoring.

I think I will start going in there for 1/2 an hours peace at the childrens bedtime. I will just sit there enjoying the peace and not being involved with anything.

[milly1984]

I once heard that reading whilst on the toilet helps relax the muscles, I informed my man of this when he was having 'trouble' going, so he tried it and said it works wonders! I also find it very helpful and it is extremely relaxing, as no one is around to bother you so you can take as much time as you need.

[HeratthePC]

I really don't get it either, KittyGlitter. Can anyone explain why it is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon? And how long does it take you people to do your business anyway? have you considered fibre?

[FP]

It's a good place for a bit of peace and quiet.  I have a magazine rack in the bathroom!  And I can see the point about it relaxing the muscles!

[smudge]

LOL FP!

I've never done that, but have seen my husband disappear into the loo & heard the rustle of paper. I can only assume it must be his crime books - for the reading of them, not the other!

[MargeB]

It's like 'the best thinking you'll do is at 4am". You can flick through tthat copy of 'bella' on the loo, GUILT FREE, Because, let's face it, you gotta be there.

[smudge]

?

[becks]

I'm a girl! My mum does the crossword on the loo, not sure about my sister, but i like the peace and quiet. think it may have stemmed from childhood when if i had a bit of trouble going my mum would say to be patient so i'd take a book in as i was a bookworm as a child. Still am, it's something else to focus on i suppose, one of my male friends can't go without reading, and if he forgets something will read shampoo bottles or face wash, the other day he read his girlfriend's tampon instructions!!!

[kick3m0n]

my fella has 1/2 hour stints in there too!  I don't get it...I never really have to spend much time on the loo (muscles obviously quite relaxed already)...don't see the point in picking up a book.  He reads his bath book, as it is always on teh side of the bath, handy for him to grab.

[CarolG]

I don't understand this either. I hate when people pick up a paper and go to the loo, its like announcing to everyone "I'm going for a big s***, might be a while"

[Casey]

CarolG what on earth are you on about? It's not like anyone actually tells everyone what they are about to do in the bathroom! So what is the big deal if people read in there? It is a personal time for everyone, they can do what the hell they like!

[KittyGlitter]

I've heard that sitting on the loo for too long can give you piles! Be warned ;-)

[Casey]

It's not sitting on the toilet for too long that causes piles, it is if you use to much 'force' whilst on the toilet that can cause piles!! Therefore, reading whilst on the toilet helps for people to relax and take their time!! I can't believe we actually have a thread about toilets and piles on AB! I guess there's a first for everything.

[KittyGlitter]

I found this article!

A THIRD of men and 20 per cent of women read on the toilet. But, according to Oxford doctors, you're more likely to get haemorrhoids - swollen blood vessels in the back passage - if you do.

Researchers from the John Radcliffe hospital studied 100 people, half of whom suffered from piles.

They found that a much larger proportion of those with haemorrhoids admitted to a lengthy read while on the loo.

The doctors point out that it's not the reading that's bad for you, it's sitting on the lav for a long time, which causes pressure on your bottom.

 

Haha, guess all you readers had better not read War & Peace on the lavvy ;-)

[Casey]

Guess i'm fcuked then, I sit on my ar*e all day at work!! Like I said Kitty, it is the 'force' that causes piles, and yes if people are pushing things out for an hour on the toilet then I guess they may feel a little strain. Sitting down for a long period of time just makes your bum fall asleep! Why does this fascinate you so much anyway?

[kick3m0n]

Casey..I'm pretty sure the reason for the piles is the way we sit on the loo.  You haeev no support under your anus and it's surrounding area....think about it, there is no other position we sit in which replicates this.  We take all our weight on our legs and a bit of our bum at the back/side (depending on how big/small you are) and those unsupported bits do respond to gravity.   Also, unconsciously or consciously we all try to relax when we poo, and so if these muscles around the anus are relaxed, there is more likelihood of tissue protruding, even if we don't then have to use force to poo.

[Casey]

Ok well let's agree to disagree. I refuse to spend anymore time discussing piles and poo with you people!

[Casey]

btw, you must be doing something wrong if you get piles from sitting on the bog for a long time, I have never had piles once in my whole life, and I can fall asleep on the toilet I get that relaxed!!