DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve got this roommate who goes into the restroom in the morning -- not a problem. But he goes in, and for 30 minutes to an hour, he does not make a sound. Sometimes he eats ice cream. Reads books. Does whatever weird things.
So he’s literally wasted an hour in there, and he’s now going to “interact“ with the shower -- he sometimes runs it for no reason, and other times does use it. But this adds another 30 minutes.
Is this too long, in terms of etiquette? How should I confront him about this issue?
GENTLE READER: Oddly enough, etiquette never got around to issuing a bathroom timetable. Nor does it take an interest, as you so keenly do, in the activities that go on inside.
Therefore the only possible question for Miss Manners to consider is what you should do when you need to use the bathroom and your roommate shows no signs of relinquishing it.
Well, you bang on the door and say, “I really need to get in there.” And you find a less urgent time to work out a schedule that will enable him to enjoy himself without making life difficult for you.