According to Telstra’s 2011 annual smartphone survey, 33 per cent of questioned Australians admit to ‘throne surfing’. Sure, that was across all ages, but it’s still low compared to 91 per cent of Americans aged 28 to 35 using their device on the loo, according to the New York Times. Moreover, a quarter of Americans say they won’t go to the toilet without their phone! So are Aussies cleaner — or just less honest?
And does it really matter…I mean, how different is a phone or tablet compared to reading a magazine, newspaper or book while going about your business. As long as you’re not making calls, I still think that’s kind of weird.
So what are Americans doing with their devices on the throne? Well, 63 per cent have answered calls (gross), 41 per cent have called someone else (really?), and 16 per cent in the 28-to-35 group have made purchases there. I can only begin to imagine what they bought.
Finally, an amazing 20 per cent of males have joined conferecnes calls from the throne, compared to 13 per cent of women. That is a lot of toilet-based phone meetings. At least it wasn’t video chat, right?
Some people will find all of this disgusting. I, however, applaud our toilet-based phone use. Multi-tasking is the future. Just be careful not to drop your handset.
Oh, and a big hello to anybody reading this while relieving themselves!
[New York Times; Image: LeeBrimelow]
LyndonL
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:14 AMI would say 60 odd percent of Aussies (who own smart phones) are liars :-)
mobo
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:59 AMHmm, I don’t think I have ever used my phone. I do fine it odd but my brother brought the Nintendo into the crapper once. I forced him to clean in because I was scared of poo particles floating the air :P
Ben
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 1:18 AMAmazing! I’m actually sitting on the boom box now! Nothing like catching up on some news when you got a crap on deck the size of a donkey.
S0ULphIRE
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 4:31 AMI prefer serenity while I poop, so phone stays in the pocket thanks
lycra12
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 6:29 AMI rarely ever do it, at work sometimes, but can’t say I’ve ever brought my phone with me at home
Matt
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 9:25 AMWell I’m not surprised after all that pink goop beef they eat.
I have to go.
chrisp
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:09 AMThat photo is a truckload of wrongness.
Zeruel
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:51 AMSo will be a study similar to the british one that indicated that a number of phones contain traces for fecal matter?
Y’know because people don’t WASH THEIR HANDS.
MDolley
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:06 AMI got an iPhone yesterday so my new plan of attack is going to be chatting to Siri while on the toilet. Going to ask her to look up stuff on Wolfram Alpha for me. It’s going to be great.
dlutchy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:01 PMIf someone could just write an app that wipes my bum I’ll be set.