Itsa国际传媒檚 been years since I first encountered the issue, but to this day, I still cansa国际传媒檛 quite understand it: why is it that people need to talk on the phone while using the loo?

I remember the first time I sa国际传媒渆xperiencedsa国际传媒� it. I was in the middle of a phone interview with a woman sa国际传媒� for a story that I no longer remember the specifics of sa国际传媒� and suddenly, the distinct sound of a toilet flushing came over the line. It was clearly in the very near proximity of the woman I was speaking to, and I remember I was horrified. Isa国际传媒檓 still horrified.

Now, itsa国际传媒檚 quite possible that the woman I was speaking with all those years ago was in the middle of some must-be-finished-now cleaning of said toilet, and that the flush was the final rinse that simply couldnsa国际传媒檛 wait.

Butsa国际传媒� Isa国际传媒檓 doubtful.

Thankfully, years passed before the issue began to swirl afresh.

But sadly, in addition to reappearing, the practice has become rather regular. More and more often sa国际传媒� weekly, at least, in my experience sa国际传媒� Isa国际传媒檓 hearing the sounds of conversation coming from occupied public washroom stalls, with the chatter continuing through every step of the process.

And these arensa国际传媒檛 emergency phone calls sa国际传媒� I have no problem with those whatsoever. Isa国际传媒檒l even admit that Isa国际传媒檝e sent a panicked communication sa国际传媒� but not a phone call sa国际传媒� from a public-washroom stall myself, after falling ill at the ski hill and being simply too sick to exit without assistance.

Isa国际传媒檓 OK with anyone reaching out from anywhere, if help is needed.

But casual conversation from the sa国际传媒榗omfortsa国际传媒� of a porcelain bowl? Certainly that can wait, if whatever you sat down to accomplish simply cansa国际传媒檛.

At the very least, switch to texting. Then, no one sa国际传媒� at all, ever sa国际传媒� has to know (wink, wink).

Technology has made amazing advances and one of many highlights sa国际传媒� although some may poo-poo the notion sa国际传媒� is our increasing ability to keep in touch. Really, theresa国际传媒檚 next to no excuse for losing track of someone, or not responding in some way.

But there are a few things that really donsa国际传媒檛 need to come along for the sa国际传媒榮taying connectedsa国际传媒� ride, and if you ask me sa国际传媒� or even if you donsa国际传媒檛 sa国际传媒� talking while tinkling or taking care of other, ahem, sa国际传媒榖usinesssa国际传媒� absolutely fits that definition.

I will acknowledge that there are much worse sounds to hear in a public washroom. But, ideally, thatsa国际传媒檚 about the only place theysa国际传媒檒l ever be heard, particularly when yousa国际传媒檙e not the one responsible for them.

Despite the impression social media gives, not all experiences need to be shared. But will abstaining from this particular practice be a movement others can get on board with?

Please, some reliefsa国际传媒�

Tracy Holmes is a reporter with Peace Arch News.