Earlier this week, the wonderful women over at Women of Fisheries posted about the struggles of going to the bathroom when doing fieldwork on a boat. They point out that going to the bathroom can be especially uncomfortable for women since it’s more difficult to easily pee off the side of the boat due to their anatomy.
This got me thinking about how surprisingly difficult it can be to go to the bathroom when doing urban fieldwork. Often times we’re collecting data in the middle of the suburbs, a heavily trafficked urban park (that doesn’t have a public restroom), or driving through the city from one field site to the next. Throw in the current pandemic, where a lot of public restrooms are closed, and it can be surprisingly inconvenient to meet this basic need in urban areas.
Below is some advice that I have for team leaders who are taking groups into an urban area to collect data.
- Have a conversation about restrooms at the beginning. Let your team know that they can and should let you know if they have to use the restroom. I usually say something like, “Hey we’re going to be out in the field today and you’ll likely have to go to the restroom at some point. Please let me know so we can be sure to take a break, rest, and make sure everyone’s needs are met.”
- Remind everyone to drink water. Sometimes people stop drinking water because they don’t want to have to use the restroom. This can lead to dehydration and mistakes in the field.
- Ask team members to do their best to not wait until the last minute; this will help you plan for breaks/find a restroom. BUT, if it is an emergency, stop what you’re doing and find a restroom. People are more important than data!
- Remember that not everyone’s physiology is the same. Some people may need to use the restroom more than others. Do not shame, joke, or in any way degrade someone for having to use the restroom frequently.
- Do not assume you know someone’s anatomy. You may have a trans or nonbinary person on your team who might not be comfortable “just going over there next to that park tree”. This leads me to my next point…
- Provide options. Remember that not everyone is as comfortable as you going to the restroom “in the woods”. I’ve grown up camping and I’m used to going to the restroom in areas without a toilet but I would never expect the same of my team members. When you offer a more unconventional spot to use as a restroom, be sure to check-in that your team member is comfortable. Providing options and time frames can also help — saying something like, “We can stop right now and open the car doors so you have some privacy or we can continue to drive and look for an actual restroom.
- Use your cell phone map. In the USA I look for urban places like malls, Target, and Home Depot that I know have restrooms. Remember, outside the USA, not all gas stations have restrooms. Friends in other parts of the world, please comment below to let me know where you recommend finding public restrooms.
- Carry pads and tampons with you at all times! Yes, non-period having team leaders, this includes you! Do you carry a first aid kit? Then it should include pads and tampons. This is a normal function of the human body and if you’re not comfortable with it then you should not be leading fieldwork. Let everyone on the team know that these are available and where they are located. Having these supplies available will keep your team members safe and focused on their tasks instead of worrying that they’re going to bleed through their pants.
- Lead by example. Take breaks, drink water, and use the restroom so you normalize this for your team. Be sure to praise and reward your team. One of the best things I’ve found about urban fieldwork is that breaks can include stopping for ice cream or hot chocolate or pastries. These stops can be a great time to not only reward your team but also ensure everyone has a chance to use the restroom.
For more great information about urban fieldwork safety, check out these posts by Dr. Karen Dyson and Dr. Carly Ziter:
Fieldwork on Urban Private Property: Getting Started
Fieldwork on Urban Private Property: Staying Safe
Featured Image: “Restrooms, 4/2015, by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Restrooms” by JeepersMedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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