It’s a debate as old as time—or at least as old as showers anyway. It’s a question that divides communities, pits loved ones against each other, and exposes fault lines the likes of which it might be possible to ignore for a little while but which sooner or later manifest on the surface.

Is it okay to pee in the shower?

Somebody dropped this warhead recently into a group chat that I have with some mates (both female and male), and the ensuing debate lasted the whole day. By the end, no consensus was reached. Those that held to one opinion on the matter marshaled others to their cause and held to it even firmer. Those that held the opposite opinion did the same. There was no middle ground. Some of the points raised during the exhaustive back and forth were:

- It’s a massive waste of water to pee, flush, and then shower. Combine the acts.
- No, showers are filthy enough already.
- That’s your own fault for not cleaning your shower properly.
- Nobody wants a pee-soaked shower curtain.
- How bad is your aim that the shower curtain is getting affected?
- On that note—those that do pee, are you actively aiming for the drain, or just letting loose without a care in the world?
- Even if you do aim, isn’t the drain next to where you keep all your shampoos etc.?
- There’s usually a ledge for that purpose, nobody’s hitting the ledge.
- You can’t guarantee not hitting the ledge.
- Again, how bad is your aim?!
- Are we talking about showers that are also baths, or separate shower units?
- Both, though yes, those are slightly different situations. (Nevertheless, changing the situation did not change the opinion.)
- Pee is sterile (this was later countered by some sources pointing out that it is not strictly true); showers are wipe-clean, c) the pee is immediately followed by soap suds—of course it’s okay to pee in the shower.

And of course:
- If you’re showering with a friend then do get their approval beforehand.

Interestingly, there was no clear man/woman divide in the debate.

So I just wanna get some numbers on this. Help me out here, Pajiba. Peeing in the shower? Yay or nay?

Petr is a staff contributor. You can follow him on Twitter.