Since coming out to myself I had researched how to use the men's restroom since there are so many unwritten rules. So I was sure I knew the basics. Go in, do your thing, come out. Don't look at anyone, don't talk to anyone.
But for some reason I have experienced the opposite of these rules in all types of situations, and it concerns me.
For example, at work some of the guys talk in the restroom, and I just nod or laugh. And try to walk away awkwardly. Or they'll say hi to me and I will panic because idk what I'm supposed to do. And I've seen one use the urinal right next to another guy, when there was another one open. The guy that was there first actually told me about it lol, he was like wth is wrong with this guy. 
And lately I've had some guys look directly at me. I try to keep my eyes away from them, but I can feel them and see them in my peripherals.
One of the scariest experiences I've had was using a restroom at the movies. I didn't have an stp at the time, so I had to use the stall and sit, which I normally don't have much of a problem with. Well there was some xrated paper on the floor of the stall next to me, and so many holes in the walls of the stall  I was scared of being watched and outted. There was a guy next to me and I think he was doing some stuff in there besides going to the restroom. I hope no one else ever has to worry about being watched. I've seen some stuff online about spying in the restroom so that's the first thing that popped into my head. But I really had to go, so I dealt with it.
Has anyone else ever had this happen? Have other guys try to talk to you while in there, or have them stare at you or make eye contact. Is there some other rules I should know about, like is them looking at me a sign that I should immediately leave? 

Lmao!

I believe you stumbled upon a "glory hole" location at the movie theater! I suppose you're lucky the guy didn't stick his wang through there   

Can't say that in particular has ever happened to me. I do think you're over thinking the whole bathroom thing. I've had other guys at work say like "Hey, whatsup" in passing as I walk in the the bathroom, but that's about it. Nothing to cause concern. I also regularly use the stall and I just sit in there until whoever else is in the bathroom leaves.

Some guys are friendly, particularly at work and stuff where people know each other. Oh and in pubs when guys are half cut they get chatty.

Yes there are perverts who use stalls in particular to pick up each other. Classic cases I have seen are usually public loos known on the 'beat' where guys pick each other up, sometimes quite grossly, penis through a hole in the wall etc (sorry). You just ignore them and leave ASAP.

If you feel unsafe leave straight away. Don't engage them in anyway at all.

Old story, 99% of people are really just nice humans, both men and woman, but it only takes one or two to make you wonder what rock they crawled out from under.

(My previous life experiences BTW )

Some male restrooms can be seriously creepy. If they have holes in the stalls, missing/broken locks, dudes just hanging around for no apparent reason get the hell out of there.

Yeah, for all the apparent rules, there are situations where they'll get broken..  As Cindy said, pubs are not an uncommon one.. Talking is also common at sports clubs and sports matches.. Always handy to know the score right before you walk in..

Rule number 1 is relax.. Go in, do what you gotta do and leave.. If someone say, "Hi.", say it back.. No big deal.. There's odd perve, but I don't remember all that many.. Depends where you are, I guess..

Quote from: kelly_aus on January 20, 2015, 01:57:42 AM
If someone say, "Hi.", say it back.. No big deal..

Or just nod back if You dont feel comfortable using Your voice - besides that would also serve as a sign that You are not into chatting and thus cut off unwanted communication.

Ditto what the others said in regards to dodgy toilets - avoid them if possible and just be vigilant, but not paranoid.

I think that you're going to draw more attention to yourself by panicking and overthinking what you're "supposed" to do in the restroom.  At the end of the day, just go in - do your business, and leave.  There really are no "social rules" about toileting.  It's a place to pee and poop.  Just don't stare at other guys' dicks and you should be fine.

I figured it was because we were coworkers that they felt comfortable to talk, but it still makes me uncomfortable because I'm not sure how to feel about it.
Lol the holes were not that big, well that I noticed, most of them were like drilled holes, tiny. But I do believe that I've found a couple of those restrooms that are hookup spots. I just don't want to be outted there, I feel that its very unsafe for me.
Thanks for the tips! I usually just nod anyways because my voice gets lost lol. I cannot get myself to speak at those moments. I usually don't show the emotion that I'm feeling because I'm one of those quiet guys, so I'm pretty sure I'm good at hiding all that and that I just seem like one of those awkward kids. Which I kind of am
So at the movies, should I just hold it? Because I feel like the stalls there are strictly for the funny business, but I'm not ready to use urinals yet.

I use the men's on campus all the time. Guys to talk some times especially when they are in the same class and talk about that class.  All the stalls are metal so no holes to be concerned about.  I use a stall all the time, haven't found a STP that I am confident in to use an urinal. Moat guys come in do there business and leave many not stopping to wash their hands.

I've always hated when people talk to me in the restroom. I think the "don't talk" rule is well enough known that most people who DO break it won't be surprised if you just grunt and go on without really answering.

Full on conversations don't really happen. At the most it's one or two comments or a simple "hey how ya going" "yeh good mate" most of the time guys don't really pay attention to other guys doing their thing. There's the general quick nod if you do make eye contact with someone. Going to the loo for men really isn't a social thing. If two mates go in together there might be some kinda chat but thats about it.

jeni, when I used the women's there was always talking, even among strangers.  I jr high and high school everyone was talking about almost anything, school, boys, periods problems, etc

mm, interesting. Good to know, I'm not at the point yet where I'm using the women's room, but maybe that will help me set my expectations.

So to clarify, my comment above referred to the men's room. The most egregious violators of the rules came from C*O types at my old company or from senior faculty in my department. In those cases, it really was full conversations about work stuff. I guess that's what it takes to get ahead. Not my thing though.

From my experience, guys (boys I suppose) will converse and pee beside eachother if they are buddies. I pee and talk with my friends actually, but only right beside them if there is a divider because my STP is reliable yet a little unrealistic.. I don't know if older men do this though. But yes it is quite weird if a stranger does it. Once I was at a football game peeing in the open urinal, and a guy went right next to me and chatted me up *shivers*. I just frowned and looked down. Its funny because at the time I was peeing and talking to my friend who was washing his hands, but we both thought the stranger was weird. When I am in the restroom with grown men we all avoid eye contact and stuff tho. I guess it just depends.

TrojanMan,  Using a STP at an urinal is where I want to get.  I am still looking for a STP that I can use successfully through the fly in my jeans and know I will not leak.  To be able to pee at an open urinal like I have seen at stadiums would be really be nice.

QuoteTrojanMan,  Using a STP at an urinal is where I want to get.  I am still looking for a STP that I can use successfully through the fly in my jeans and know I will not leak.  To be able to pee at an open urinal like I have seen at stadiums would be really be nice.

That is my dilemma. I use home made STP FITZ style with a nipple recepticle and Mr Limpy packer. The nipple works well for me and I can go without leaking, but it isn't realistic and I have to unbuckle my pants.