Man Laws: Using public restrooms

I'm back for a 2nd round of this. Since there are quite a few man laws, I'm going to try and break it down into differing categories. Depending on what site I go on, man laws can be a bit of a clusterfuck to read or make sense of. Some man laws, depending on who's writing them, don't always make sense...at least to me.

They might make sense to other people. Then again, maybe I'm used to living under a simpler variation of man law.

I'm hoping that breaking this down into sections will make it easier to read, add or remove things (as needed), or even make discussion a bit smoother.

This section is for the use of public restroom.

1. When using a urinal, eyes must face forward.
   
2. You should avoid using the middle urinal. Exceptions: if there's a barrier between urinals, you don't need an empty urinal between men.
   
   If you're at any sporting event (boxing, hockey, b-ball, MMA, NASCAR, etc.) that'll require heavy use of the restrooms, the rule is null and void. Relieving yourself and getting back to the event has higher urgency.
   
   This exception also applies to a few other events including, but not limited to: rock concerts, certain country concerts, some comedy shows....shows that are generally male oriented. However, the exception only applies if heavy use of the toilets/urinals will be required. If lighter use of the facilities will occur, then the rule applies as though you're in a normal situation.
   
3. Conversation is acceptable while using public restrooms so long as you avoid eye contact. Eye contact can be made if everyone involved in the conversation isn't actually using a urinal/toilet. This includes using the sinks.
   
4. Eye contact that is made in the restroom should still be limited to 2 seconds, at most.
   
5. Once done pissing, you may only give your junk a couple good shakes. Anything more is jerking off.
   
6. When using a stall, you're obligated to make sure sufficient toilet paper is available to get the job done. If in a crowded facility (such as an arena/stadium), this is an absolute necessity. Last thing any man wants is to run out of toilet paper when he wants to get back to the game/concert/whatever.
   
7. If the unfortunate should happen, any man that's able to help should make the effort to help procure replacement toilet paper ASAP. If another stall has sufficient paper, try to hand over a wad under the divider (if a roll can be rolled under/tossed over, even better). Paper towels can be handed under, if it's needed.
   
   When a man helps out on this regard, he's only obligated to help out enough so you can finish the job in reasonable fashion. If you're in a position where you might be awhile, through no fault of your own, then the only obligation is to get staff to bring in some fresh rolls.
   
8. If you discover that a toilet/urinal is out of order....this assumes no notes are posted by the staff....you're obligated to warn other men entering the restroom of the problem. Any man that's aware of the problem may mention the problem to the staff....even if you're not the one discovering the problem. It's really a courtesy to other men who may need use of the toilet as well as to the person who first discovered the problem.

At this moment, I can't think of anymore man laws that really needs stating. There are bound to be a few scenarios that should just be common sense and go beyond man law.

If you feel that I missed anything important, let me know in the comments below. Perhaps certain rules are absolutely unnecessary. Maybe some simply need rewording. There may be scenarios that I'm simply not used to dealing with that are more commonplace in other areas.

Beats me......I live in an area that simple rules are usually enough. If anything "difficult" comes up, we usually sort it out as needed.

I don't know what segment of man law I'll try discussing next. It'll probably depend on my mood.

Until next time, I'm JD Storm and this is the song that never ends. :D 

Man Law: Introduction

I know this is generally unspoken amongst most people. But, I feel maybe this could use some sort of discussion. Maybe it'll help the women better understand why we do the things that we do, even if it seems completely boneheaded, pointless, a huge waste of time or whatever else you can think of. I'm sure most women have largely been told that we (the men) have our reasons for doing the crap we do.

There's a small percentage of women that actually understand the dumbass shit that we do. I've known a few over the years that at least "get us", if they thought some of the stuff men do was pointless, was outdated or whatever other point you could bring up. Not going to say that the women were wrong, by any means.


Me, personally, I have a hard time finding any clear and definitive set of rules on what is acceptable behavior and what isn't. Some rules seem to remain consistent, like punching another man in the nuts. Other situations never seem to be discussed, like how to properly interact with other men with mental health issues, such as PTSD, depression, bi-polar disorder or other problems.

Maybe it's just the male bravado that doesn't allow us to have meaningful discussions with each other on a personal level. That's always been a major men, as a whole, have a problem discussing.

We need a man-bible, in a manner of speaking.....something we can go to make Man Law Official. It makes sense, as far as I'm concerned. Religious groups have their own set of rules. Society has it's own set of rules of what people can and cannot do. Sports leagues have their own rules. We need a guide that we can rely that everyone can reference so we know what's cool and what's not cool.

It's time we at least organize our thoughts a damn bit.

When time allows I'll post various rules that make sense to me and see what everyone else thinks. Give me your feedback so I can do a better job updating my understanding of man law.

Corner Gas: Tax Man

The following is the 2nd episode of Corner Gas, with background info HERE!

Episode beings at The Ruby, where Brent finds out that Lacey is changing the coffee refill policy. Previously, Aunt Ruby had allowed free refills all day long. Lacey, finding that to be a bit excessive, changes the policy, making it $1.50 a cup. Depending on the character, the reaction to the new policy elicits a different response.

In Brent's case, he doesn't appear to be too thrilled with the new policy. Not truly upset by it, but isn't thrilled with it, either. Tries to claim that Tommy Douglas fought for free refills....or something to that extent. Lacey mentions it was Universal Health Care he fought for, but...as Brent put it....with all the coffee people were drinking, there was a lot of kidney disorders going around.

Brent has to take off when he hears the "dinging" from Corner Gas (indicating new customer at the pumps), making the comment he'll have to owe Lacey a buck-fifty if the customer doesn't spend enough on gas.

The customer ends up being Marvin Dray.....A tax man. Gets upset quickly when called THE Tax Man. Marvin's only real concern is a high tax exemption claimed by Corner Gas from the prior year, when Oscar was still running the place, prior to Brent taking over as the new owner. What should be a simple case of Oscar simply showing documentation on why he claimed high exemptions ends up being anything other then "simple", involving Oscar flipping out on the Marvin.

Recaps of Oscar on the phone with Marvin, presumably, screaming out stuff like "if you want to talk to me, come down here. A car is a handy invention. I'll show you how to use one sometimes"......or something to that extent, is mentioned.

Early in the episode, it's made clear that Oscar doesn't understand that simply showing the paperwork would resolve the issue quickly. Brent tries to act as a intermediary, only for Oscar to continue flipping out. Stories of Oscar calling a butterfly a son of a bitch are mentioned, to demonstrate how unstable Oscar is.

For one reason or another, Brent keeps insisting on calling Marvin "Muffin Tray".

Meanwhile, Davis becomes upset when he finds out that he, and Karen, are expected to pay for their coffee consumption at The Ruby. Davis' argument is that when Ruby ran the place, coffee was free.

Lacey manages to make matters worse when making comments something along the lines of "when Marlon Brando and the Wild Bunch ride into town, throwing ketchup packets around, i'll give out free coffee" and "this seems like a pretty peaceful town. I think I'll take my chances".

Karen tries to smooth things over by offering to pay for the coffee, only for Davis to think Karen's going to be shunned by the force. Karen tries to remind Davis that they are the force, only for it to fall on deaf ears.

Davis' attitude is so bad, he issues tickets to people for the most insane reasons possible. Tickets were issued over parking tickets....while people were in a parking lot. Hank, I believe, got a ticket for being stopped at a 4-way stop.

Oscar becomes so annoyed over Davis' mishandling of the tickets that he threatens to put diesel in his gas tank.

Davis continues his childish ways, refusing to acknowledge Karen anymore then necessary. Karen gets weirded out by Davis' behavior, partially to the Serpico references the other characters begin referencing.....as well as a couple references to Scent of a Woman. I don't feel like being shot in the face....or sniffing women's hair. LOL!

Meanwhile, Oscar recruits Hank to help him trick Marvin Drey. Oscar is somehow convinced the Government is out to screw him out of more tax money. Hank tried coming up with a few ideas to get Marvin off Oscar's case, all of which involve recycling old ideas from M*A*S*H. The ideas basically boil down to getting Marvin drunk, only to have him do something humiliating....which involves being drunk & naked, messing up the "paperwork" or something else that could be embarrassment to himself.

Wanda sarcastically suggests Hank should just "take one for the team" at one point, mostly to creep Hank out. Wanda brings up the obvious point by asking why Oscar just doesn't look for the paperwork. The point is generally ignored by Hank & Oscar, who seem to find it easier to trick Marvin.

Karen, on the other hand, is busy trying to find ways of convincing Karen to just let Davis have his free coffee. Lacey, understandably, feels she shouldn't have to take the hit just to stop Davis from having fits.

Marvin comes up with the solution, using tax law (of course). Marvin briefly explains that Lacey could let them have the free coffee as a promotional expense and could get away with giving away X-amount of coffee during a year and reasonably be able to write-it off.

This, in turn, demonstrates to Brent that Marvin isn't such a scary person. Lacey's able to use this new info to refund Davis' money, while allowing Davis to think Karen "applied pressure" to Lacey. This puts Davis back in a great mood, while giving Karen more cred with Davis.

At the town bar, Hank is drunk as a skunk. He's getting ready to help Oscar to frame Marvin in an embarrassing situation (running down Main Street drunk & naked). Emma brings in the tax papers to verify the exemptions. Hank tries to mess the papers up, only for Oscar to blow up on him instead.

While I'm pretty sure I'm missing or forgetting details (reviews aren't my strong point, yet), I've got to state that this was a pretty good episode. It demonstrates the stupidity and impatience that Oscar & Hank. While I failed to go into detail about this, Emma shows quite a bit of frustration with Oscar & Brent, as she had told them numerous times where the tax papers where....only for both of them to ignore her repeatedly.

Davis' ability to be easily upset/offended is displayed rather effectively, as well. If I haven't mentioned this yet, it's worth mentioning now. Corner Gas is great for showing certain aspects of small town living. I have the benefit, or misfortune, of living in a community that sees a mix of small & larger town living.....where all the subtleties tend to show up eventually. Little things that wouldn't bother most people eventually show up in small towns quite a bit and it's played up well on the show.

The episode shows how easily a no-big-deal situation can easily become a big deal in certain towns. When I have more time, I'll work on the next episode.