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Sir, There's a Fly in My Urinal
Here's something from the "Urban Legend or Not?" files...It seems the bathroom authorities at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport placed a picture of a housefly in the bowls of men's room urinals. This simple image gives gents a -- shall I say -- bulls-eye. The little insect ensures guys aim for the drain and keep off the floor. This supposedly saves time and money in restroom cleaning costs. The folks at TruthOrFiction.com contacted the airport, and the Netherlanders confirmed the claim. That's what I call dedication to journalism.
I actually saw one of these urinal flies in Schiphol Airport, and I just figured it was some plumbing company's odd logo. Also, if you wanted to know, their Musca domestica mind-trick worked on me.
Filed under: Stories, Europe, Netherlands, Airlines
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Nathan Charles Jan 18th 2007 11:26AM
I've seen this in Munich as well.
Bruce Jan 20th 2007 8:18PM
. . . and they also have these at JFK airport in New York City.
Susan Jan 20th 2007 8:18PM
They sell this bulleye's so to say in baby magazines so when you train your toddler you teach them to aim..Maybe Men should just try to aim better without the flies (no pun intended)
tomsonday Jan 20th 2007 8:17PM
I used to consult with Atari in the early 80's. Back then, all the urinals at Atari had the Apple logo at the bottom...
HBKMs Mom Jan 20th 2007 8:35PM
... I painted a bull's eye with nail polish on the bowl 20+ years ago for a little boy to learn how to "aim" when he was standing like a big boy does.... it worked.
Don F Diekmann Jan 20th 2007 8:38PM
I usually sit down on a toilet to avoid splashes.
Vivi Jan 20th 2007 8:44PM
Don, you say you sit down to avoid splashes. I wish all men did. I am tired of putting the seat down as men never remember to do that after they raise it. Sat down in the dark one night and found my husband had left it up an hour earlier. He had to help me out of the bowl.
Edward deLutio Jan 21st 2007 8:56AM
The fly in the urinal has been in use in Brussels International Airport (Belgium) for more than 10 years.
Tammy Jan 20th 2007 8:54PM
If all parents had their male offspring sit down and learn how to urinate while sitting, there would not be so much bacteria on the seat. Hygenically, it is the wiser thing to do. If men would realize it is more of a courtesy to their mate, and their mate would love them that much more for it. Think of it this way, would it be pleasant for you if you sat down on a seat that someone smeared with feces and not known about it until you sat down? Guys, have a little more consideration for your family!
Richard Arnoth Jan 20th 2007 8:58PM
check out: editor@urinal.net
Vivi Jan 20th 2007 9:00PM
AMEN to Tammy
Frank Jan 20th 2007 9:07PM
If women would rise the toilet seat it wouod show a little respect for men. Who do these women tnink they are to tnink or demand that men should cater to their toilet practices? Shame! Men deserve to be catered to as much or more than women.
Manager Jan 20th 2007 9:12PM
My God I wish I would have thought of this ages ago. I work in a retail store and can't tell you how foul the mens room can get. Perhaps a target will be installed tomorrow? LOL!
doug Jan 20th 2007 9:12PM
HA! I would Still Pee on the floor!
Jeri Jan 20th 2007 9:12PM
Some bars here in the U.S. have pictures of Osama bin Laden in their urinals.
Oscar Jan 20th 2007 9:12PM
If men are expected to look to see if the seat is up, before use, why cant a woman look to see if it is down?
Edwin Jan 20th 2007 10:43PM
Women pee all over the seats these days. Someone (presumably their mother) has been teaching them not to touch the seat with hand or bottom, so they squat over the seat and make a mess. My wife has to clean the seat before using public toilets more than half the time.
Also why should men put the seat down -- or women put the seat up. Home toilets should have the LID down.
Oscar Jan 20th 2007 9:18PM
Why dont women leave the seat up out of courtesy to the men?
Michael Jan 23rd 2007 10:41PM
Vivi--You should remember to check the seat before you sit down. As the one about to use it, it's YOUR responsibility to put the seat into whatever position you need it. Frank--we men don't deserve any excess catering over women. As for the subject at hand, I've never seen a "target spot" in any form. However, in a recent AOL news article on Japanese toilet technology, there was one with a series of LED's for night use, one of which was directed at the optimal spot to minimize splashing. I thought it was rather odd, but useful I suppose. As an aside, the toilet in question was in the neighborhood of $4000.
Sandy Jan 20th 2007 9:47PM
Here's a solution for both men and women who complain about the toilet seat... If EVERYONE would just put the seat AND lid down, then everyone has to do the same amount of work!! And the bathroom looks nicer with a closed toilet!! How about that?? :)