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

I remember the first time I 乌鸦传媒渆xperienced乌鸦传媒� it. I was in the middle of a phone interview with a woman 乌鸦传媒� for a story that I no longer remember the specifics of 乌鸦传媒� 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. I乌鸦传媒檓 still horrified.

Now, it乌鸦传媒檚 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 couldn乌鸦传媒檛 wait.

But乌鸦传媒� I乌鸦传媒檓 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 乌鸦传媒� weekly, at least, in my experience 乌鸦传媒� I乌鸦传媒檓 hearing the sounds of conversation coming from occupied public washroom stalls, with the chatter continuing through every step of the process.

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

I乌鸦传媒檓 OK with anyone reaching out from anywhere, if help is needed.

But casual conversation from the 乌鸦传媒榗omfort乌鸦传媒� of a porcelain bowl? Certainly that can wait, if whatever you sat down to accomplish simply can乌鸦传媒檛.

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

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

But there are a few things that really don乌鸦传媒檛 need to come along for the 乌鸦传媒榮taying connected乌鸦传媒� ride, and if you ask me 乌鸦传媒� or even if you don乌鸦传媒檛 乌鸦传媒� talking while tinkling or taking care of other, ahem, 乌鸦传媒榖usiness乌鸦传媒� absolutely fits that definition.

I will acknowledge that there are much worse sounds to hear in a public washroom. But, ideally, that乌鸦传媒檚 about the only place they乌鸦传媒檒l ever be heard, particularly when you乌鸦传媒檙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 relief乌鸦传媒�

Tracy Holmes is a reporter with Peace Arch News.