h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: 'Bashful Bladder' - A884397
Author: Mina - U290

A little something I rustled up while the servers were down this morning.

I'd appreciate comments from people who understand how the body works, in case I've made any daft errors in the entry. Particularly about carbon dioxide, which I thought was rather far-fetched to be honest.

Made me want to pee, that's for sure.

Excuse me a minute. *dashes off*

*dashes back*

I know nothing about the biology of it all, but a link to Frasier might be a good idea, plus a '(David Hyde Pierce)' to properly credit the actor.

'unlearn'???

B

Like the entry, informative, truthful, all round bloody good really!
Oberon2001

Thank you!

As the quote is not the actor's words, but the character's, Anna suggests that attributing it to Niles is okay.

What's wrong with unlearn, or do you mean I should remove the quotes?

I couldn't find a link to anything on Fraiser on h2g2, is there an official site?

I just think it's a horrible word, that's all. What's wrong with...um...'dissociate', or something like that?

Have you tried the BBC search engine for Frasier? I think I used that for my '7 Tenets' entry...

B

I think unlearn explains it more than dissociate.

I found a Fraiser link, I didn't realise it was on NBC, I thought it was Fox!

I'd have to look up disso.. whatever it was. And I like unlearn. Keep it!
Oh, and where did you get the carbon dioxide thing?

*Digs up link*

It would appear that I used the Beeb's 'I love 1993' page, which headlines with Frasier.

B

I've changed the link.

I can't remember which website I saw the co2 thing on, I can probably dig it out if you want it?

Got this when I had a look at the 'Early Day Motion' site, Mina:

The status of this EDM is currently unavailable to the system.

Not quite a broken link, but almost!

Interesting - It's one of those things you hear about, but I can't say I've ever met someone who suffered (or admitted to suffering)from this.

Despite the footnote, I think the proximity of the phrase "urinating" next to "on another floor" is unfortunate...

Finally (and a little off-topic) I remember seeing a TV programme that explained that in Japan you can get loos that play a little music while you tinkle, as apparently it's culturally very embarassing for someone to hear you go? Sound plausible?

I'm sceptical about the CO2 + relaxation theory. personally I find that regular deep breaths work much better as a relaxation technique.

Sprout

I freely admit I suffer from a bashfull bladder. But using the stall is sufficient, or just having an urgent need and taking those extra seconds to relax.
My guess would be that holding your breath would help you take your mind off the pressure to 'perform', and I don't see how increased CO2 could make a difference. But I'm not doctor, so yes, I'd be interested in the source.

"Finally (and a little off-topic) I remember seeing a TV programme that explained that in Japan you can get loos that play a little music while you tinkle, as apparently it's culturally very embarassing for someone to hear you go? Sound plausible?"

I know people who would need Heavy Metal music to prevent anyone from overhearing them, but that's not blatter-related ...

Apparently the "drink-until-you-can't-hold-it-in-any-longer" method shows very promising results these days for this affliction.

Seriously, I know a few people who are actually "suffering" from this, both men and women. I remember standing next to a guy (I'll admit we both had a little too much to drink) in a bar urinal one time and we both just couldn't manage. Just stood there for at least 3 minutes. We both thought it was funny in some kind of strange, distorted way.

Oh, BTW, it's "Frasier" in stead of "Fraiser"

JAIB

Fascinating

I...umm, I... can't go if there's anyone watching But I don't care a t*ss if anyone can hear

Thanks for all the comments.

ZSF!
I've taken the link out, apparently they go out of date, so it's a bit pointless wating to see if it come back or not. I wish I could remember what it said...

sprout
How about "Practise going to the toilet while your partner is in the house"? I found some sites that say that places in America that play the sound of a flush to stop people from flushing first. Too much water was wasted apparently.

NAITA
http://www.medicalnewsservice.com/fullstory.cfm?storyID=421&fback=yes

Just an innocent bystander
Thanks , No wonder I couldn't find anything in the search engine.

I'm still not a doctor. But I did a search on co2 and relaxation on google and the only page I found (I didn't check for long because there were so many chemistry sites) mentioned both increasing and decreasing co2 as relaxation techniques. Could it be it's actually concentrating on a breathing exercise that causes the relaxation? Well, anyway.
The page about bashful bladder cure mentions that it has been tried out on _one_ guy. Hardly seems like a proven cure...

Just my two øre worth.

Very informative, Mina. Well done!

Tango

Fascinating.

I've never heard of this condition, and never suffered from it myself... except yes, the memory came back to me. I was in hospital and after a minor operation on my leg I was not allowed to get out of bed for 24 hours. So they gave me a urinal bottle.

I couldn't use it, lying down as I was.

Irrational as it was, I was afraid I would spill it and wet the bed. Never mind that I was in hospital and even if I did wet the bed that would be all in the day's work to the nurses. Never mind that there was no particular reason why I would wet the bed - I had no problem holding the bottle or placing it in position or anything like that. So I guess that's an example of bashful bladder.

Nothing to do with other people seeing or overhearing or anything like that - this was strictly between me and the mattress.

Fortunately I've never had any problem before or since.

Thanks for the memory, Mina

I've taken out the carbon dioxide reference, although if I find anymore references to it, I might put it back in.

Thanks Tango, and thanks Bels. I was in hospital once and was offered a bedpan because there wasn't a to help me to the loo. I refused, knowing full well that I wouldn't be able to have a piddle in the middle of the ward! I waited instead.