It can be uncomfortable to see strangers’ feet walking past, but there is a valid reason

Ever wondered why the doors on public restrooms don’t go all the way to the ground?

Since you’ve clicked this article, I’m assuming the answer is yes.

The thing is, if there’s one room I’m happy to be fully concealed in, it’s the bathroom – especially a public one.

I don’t need the anxiety of seeing someone’s feet appear as they attempt to find a free stall, knowing I’m one faulty lock away from a stranger catching me with my pants down.

I’m sure other people feel the same way, but still most public bathroom doors feature a huge gap at the bottom, and sometimes even in the sides too.

Although it might not be the most comfortable setting to relieve yourself, it turns out there are some valid reasons why whoever’s in charge of fitting public bathrooms decide to opt for short doors.

TikToker MattypStories shared some insights in a video shared online, when he offered up a number of reasons for the gap.

Many bathrooms have a large gap beneath the door. (Getty Stock Photo)

Emergencies in the stall

Health issues can flare up anywhere, including public bathrooms. If you were to pass out in a stall that’s completely covered, it’s entirely possible that hours could pass in which no one has any idea you’re in trouble.

The gap between the door and the floor would make it obvious from the outside if someone had fallen to the ground and needed help.

This reason was backed in a blog post by Coastal Contract Hardware, which explains: “It is not an uncommon scenario for an elderly person to have trouble in an unfamiliar bathroom and end up with an injury.

“The stall doors enable you to see if someone is on the floor and in need of medical attention.”

Emergencies outside the stall.

While I don’t really want to have eyes on me while I’m peeing, I also don’t want to get trapped in the stall when there’s a fire or some other emergency going on.

If the lock on the door became stuck, it would be possible for someone to squeeze under the door, or at least indicate they need help, in the event of an emergency.

Health issues could easily happen in the stall. (Getty Stock Photo)

Cleaning

The gap between the doors on public bathroom stalls also makes it much easier to swipe a mop underneath them, meaning they can be easily cleaned.

And since public bathrooms typically get a lot of foot traffic, the cleaner they are, the better.

Cost

It’s probably no surprise that there’s a money-saving element involved in the mystery of short bathroom doors, but it’s actually quite simple: smaller doors use less material, and are therefore likely cheaper to produce than a door that reaches the ground.

So next time you wish that bathroom door reached the floor, just remember there are good reasons why it doesn’t!