You might not consciously be aware of this, but you probably have a preferred stall anytime you enter a public toilet. Science suggests, it’s most likely the middle stall. If that’s true, then you’re in the majority, meaning the middle stalls are the most frequently used ones. You might want to reconsider your choice of stall next time visit the toilet.
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Centrality preference
Research shows that when offered several options, most people are likely to choose the item in the middle. Known as the centrality preference, this phenomenon applies to bathroom stalls as well. Most people avoid the first and last stalls in favour of the middle ones. This makes the less frequently used stalls the cleanest, in most cases. In an interview with The Healthy, Philip Tierno, clinical professor in the department of pathology with NYU Langone Health in New York City explains further.
It’s true that if you take a survey—and there are a couple that have been done, people tend to (subconsciously or not) go to the stalls that are in the more sequestered section of the bathroom, and avoid those up front.
Research backed
Researchers have been interested in this subject for some time now as indicated by a 1995 study published in Psychological Science. In that study, researchers found after 10 weeks of monitoring that the toilet paper in middle stalls was changed 60% more frequently than those at the ends, The Healthy stated.
Relatedly, a New York Magazine survey revealed that while a majority of both men and women prefer the middle stall, men tend to show a preference for stalls closer to the door while women choose those furthest away, an article in The Healthy shows.
Sources used:
The Healthy: This Is the Only Stall You Should Use in a Public Bathroom
Woman’s Day: The One Stall You Should Always Use in a Public Restroom
