What to Do When You Need to Pee and the Toilet is Broken

Dealing with a broken toilet can be a tricky and sometimes embarrassing situation, especially when you're in a hurry or in a public setting. Here are several strategies to help you manage the situation until you can find a suitable solution.

Steps to Take When a Toilet is Broken

First and foremost, remain calm and prioritize your needs while ensuring that you maintain hygiene and privacy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to navigate this challenging situation.

1. Find an Alternative Facility

The easiest way to handle a broken toilet is to find another restroom nearby. Consider the following options:

Nearby building: Look for restrooms in different parts of your building, as some may have functioning toilets. Local businesses: Restrooms in restaurants, cafes, or shops can often be used for emergencies. Public facilities: Public restrooms in parks, shopping malls, or government buildings are also good options.

2. Use a Portable Toilet or Urinal

If portable toilets or urinals are available, they can serve as a temporary solution. These devices are specifically designed to handle emergencies and can be found in many public places, such as festivals, sporting events, and construction sites.

3. Use an Emergency Option

In extreme situations, using a container like a bottle may be necessary. However, this method should be used discreetly and cleaned up afterward to avoid any unsightly or embarrassing situations.

4. Ask for Help

If you’re in a public place, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Staff members at businesses can often provide solutions or guide you to alternative facilities. Additionally, if you’re in a professional setting, colleagues or managers may be able to help.

5. Hold It

As a last resort, holding your urine temporarily until you can find proper facilities is an option. However, doing this over an extended period can be physically uncomfortable and may pose health risks if you don’t get the opportunity to void later.

Specific Situations

At Home

While at home, if the toilet won’t flush, there are still ways to manage:

Use a bucket from the bathtub tap to simulate a flushing action by pouring water into the bowl. For a clogged toilet, address the issue as quickly as possible to relieve yourself and then use a plunger to clear the blockage. Clean the plunger with hot water from the tub tap to sanitize it.

Public Restroom

If you’re in a public restroom, exercise discretion and hygiene:

Hold your nose to minimize any unpleasant smells. Notify the restroom owner if you haven’t already. A clogged toilet is certainly one issue they need to address. As a last resort, find a secluded area, such as behind a bush. Be mindful of privacy and hygiene.

Movie Theater or Outings

For past situations, especially during outings, people have improvised:

Go behind a bush in a secluded area. Utilize the restroom of the opposite sex if it’s more convenient and privately situated. In the past, some individuals would use bottles and then dispose of them at a nearby establishment, such as a restaurant or café. For instance, during the 1970s, when attending movie theaters in Times Square, a friend would stand guard while someone used a bottle to pee, then went to McDonald's to use their restroom.

Remember, the key to handling a broken toilet emergency is to remain calm, be resourceful, and prioritize your privacy and hygiene.