DEAR ABBY: I can't be the only person with this question, and I hope you can point me in the right direction. Nowadays many restaurants, airports and department stores have automatic flush toilets. But sometimes they don't work. Is there an override switch somewhere? I hate to leave them unflushed.
For obvious reasons, I'm not signing my full name, but this is a genuine concern. -- LISA IN SACRAMENTO
DEAR LISA: The answer is yes. There usually is a manual button you can push when the infrared signal fails to operate. Sometimes it's a little black button on the front of the metal post, or a large metal button on the top.
You are absolutely not the only person with this question. And you know what? If you have tried without success to locate the button, you have my permission to leave the stall knowing you have done the best you "can."