pooop

[sunflower68]

Why does our poop stay in the system for a few days when we go on hols or change location for a while?  What makes our subconscious hold back?  It's puzzled me for years.

[toecrusher]

if abroad i think its the change in water, having said that , i also think its psychological, i dread having to go anywhere but my own loo, even though its a natural bodily function, its the smell and the thought of people going in the loo after you. i have a friend that never goes when she is on holiday 2 weeks plus, how do you do that!

[newtron]

I think it is mostly psychological as toecrusher suggests.  I have been on a few five day expeditions in a large cave in New Mexico, where explorers are required to haul out all of their solid waste and most of their liquid waste.  Taking a poo in this cave is quite a production and a little awkard, so consequently, I  usually don't go for the first 3 or 4 days.  I don't think this is very good for me, but I can't help it.   

[Gilli]

I empathise with toecrusher .... maybe it's a girly thing but I will never ever ever use a public loo for that purpose (unless I was truly ill). Same goes for loos at work, why the architects of public buildings believe that we are all unabashed about "sharing" our bodily functions I don't know. If I absolutely had to, I would creep into the disabled loo at work as that was a standalone bathroom which afforded some privacy.

I know it's silly - and I know it's natural but I can't help it.

Evidently it's a common attitude which has been around for a long time. I can remember the humiliation of going on Brownie "camp" (i.e. staying in a hostel) aged 9 or 10 and being quizzed daily re: whether or not we'd "been". Come day 3 all of us who hadn't were given a dose of gawd knows what to get us going !!! ..... and there were quite a few brownies lined up, not just me !

[sunflower68]

Gilli I can totally empathise there and really get your point.  My hubbie goes wherever, whenever, 3-4times a day.  We can be waiting to go out or be at the shops , whatever.  If he needs to go, he goes and will  be at least 10 minutes in there!  He simply cannot wait until he's home.    At least when at home he has a bunch of novels on the go in the bathroom.

As for work, there is a phantom floater who likes to leave it to settle at the bottom of the pan...yuk...I just cannot go on and perish the thought if anyone ever thought it was me! 

[Litchick]

I agree with all of you -- I have gotten over my fear of going to the loo at work -- however, other public places I still can't.  Having said that, I find that after I have been on a plane I am "stopped up" for a few days.  Really don't know why that is but I think it is not just psychological.  Perhaps a bit of both.

[chinadoll]

If I am going to be away for a couple of days at a rock concert or camping or such I always take a strong laxative a day or so before and clear myself out completely.....and then barring eating something thats off I can enjoy the camping/music without worrying about finding somewhere to hunker down .....