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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Talking toilet orders German men to sit down
2004-05-18
A German inventor who developed a gadget that berates men if they try to use the toilet standing up has sold more than 1.6 million devices, his business manager said on Tuesday. German women fed up with a man with a poor aim can turn to the ghost-shaped gadget, which lurks under the toilet rim and, if the seat is lifted, declares in a stern female tone: "Hello, what are you up to then? Put the seat back down right away, you are definitely not to pee standing up ... you will make a right mess..." Alex Benkhardt, 46, invented the "WC Ghost" and its creators are in negotiations to market it in Britain, Canada and Italy.
Posted by:TS(vice girl)

#17  BH...I would think that having the bowl shoot back if you miss would be more effective

Now there's an idea to patent!
Posted by: B   2004-05-18 6:50:25 PM  

#16  This is the end.
London and Moscow must be defended.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-05-18 6:37:32 PM  

#15  Ahh,piss on it!
Posted by: Raptor   2004-05-18 6:35:56 PM  

#14  I'm with mojo. I hope the inventor thought to conceal and protect the speakers from water (used beer) damage.
Posted by: GK   2004-05-18 6:13:01 PM  

#13  Yup - I'd piss on the gadget.
Posted by: mojo   2004-05-18 5:34:28 PM  

#12  Stern female voice..huh?
Well some guys like that...
I bet in Britain the voice will talk GERMAN, too!
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-05-18 5:22:34 PM  

#11  kinda a waste of money since according to women (ok my wife) men (i mean me) do not listen....
Posted by: Dan   2004-05-18 4:25:27 PM  

#10  I've always thought it's a vestige of the old "women being taken care of by men" meme. Perhaps, with the advent of feminism, this is the only socially acceptable way in which women can still indicate to men their desire to be cared for and protected?

Personally - and I am female, last time I checked - I've always believed that it's up to the individual user to ensure the equipment is in proper working order. This isn't limited to toilets. Most people don't step into the shower before ensuring the water is the correct temperature, and fewer still step into the elevator without making sure there is a floor to step on. So why is it so difficult to check before you sit down? You check the paper, don't you?

In my house (me, husband, teenage son, multiple critters) the seats AND lids are kept down, to keep the cats from drinking out of the toilets (not that the toilets are unclean or unsanitary, just that the sight creeps the Librarian's Husband out). Keeping bathroom doors shut isn't an option, as cat boxes are located in bathrooms.

Of course, in Indonesia the police write tickets for people who fail to flush in public facilities ... what's next, a toilet alarm if you don't flush?

Sofia the Imperial Librarian
Posted by: Sofia   2004-05-18 3:53:43 PM  

#9  Well, this certainly explains the recent spate of German "bravery" in Kosovo.
Posted by: Zenster   2004-05-18 3:53:14 PM  

#8  (With Apologies to Mel Brooks)

Springtime for toilets in Germany,
Sit down when you u-rin-ate!
Remember johns are used by others too
Also do flush when you are through. . .

Posted by: Oge_Retla_2004   2004-05-18 3:26:09 PM  

#7  It's aesthetics (sp).
Posted by: Anonymous2U   2004-05-18 3:24:58 PM  

#6  Simple Solution. Dont lift the toilet seat before you fire you weapon.

Check out the following write up on everything2 titled
I will REMOVE the f*cking toilet seat if you don't shut up
. One of the funnier ones.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-05-18 3:14:55 PM  

#5  Like women were too weak to put it down them selves? - Hey if you sit down on anything without looking first, you take your chances

Mercutio - you know I always wondered about the same thing. My dad laughed, and my mom and sister gave me a dirty look when I brought up the subject.
Posted by: BigEd   2004-05-18 2:45:52 PM  

#4  Has anyone else noticed the camel's nose in the tent effect?

When I was a kid, the female orders of the day were "put the lid up beforehand". Just that; no other requirements.

Then all of a sudden in the '80s it was "put the lid down when you're done". Like women were too weak to put it down them selves? - Hey if you sit down on anything without looking first, you take your chances.

Now it's "you VILL sit down to pee!"???

Gott in Himmel and chew my arschengebobbles.
Posted by: Mercutio   2004-05-18 2:36:31 PM  

#3  And have gun fights break out in the bathroom?

This is my rifle, this is my gun ...
Posted by: ed   2004-05-18 2:34:39 PM  

#2  I would think that having the bowl shoot back if you miss would be more effective.
Posted by: BH   2004-05-18 2:29:47 PM  

#1  Next product, the Toilet Paper Ghost. If you're going to pee like a woman, might as well wipe like one too.
Posted by: ed   2004-05-18 2:27:21 PM  

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