Tia and I went to the EHESS yesterday for a little errand she had to run. Groovy place, free classes. As Tia said, "Welcome to France."
I had to run to the ladies', so I wandered aimlessly through about seventeen different doors before coming upon a small landing. A blind man who had been walking behind me approached the landing while I was contemplating which way the restroom might be. He continued on, but once he came upon a new wall that lead to the main doors just past the landing, he fumbled along and then asked me on which side the doors were. "Right here," I said, opening a door. "Go ahead." I followed him through the door, still in search of the bathroom. Together, we walked down the hall, past several smaller doors leading to independent offices. Suddenly, he turned right and walked through a wooden door. It was the men's room. The women's room was right next door.
This man was obviously unfamiliar with the building, as he had been asking me where the main doors were just a minute beforehand. Yet, he knew immediately which door corresponded to the men's restroom. So, my question is: Did he smell it? And how did he know, as he walked confidently through the door, that he was indeed entering the MEN'S restroom? Is there a difference in the odor of the two?
I was baffled. Tia can verify. Never seen anything like it in my life.
Maybe he asked directions, so knew that it was the first restroom, but didn't know that the main door was on the right?
But, just out of curiosity...do you think if we go out without contact lenses, will we be able to tell which is the right one without having to go super close up to the picture?
And about the smell...I think they both smell, but maybe the mens room smell is a little stronger...guess it depends on how often they clean the restrooms as well.
Kathy - No, I had thought of the possibility of your theory. But the man passed a whole bunch of doors (without testing them - although I didn't clarify that part) before coming upon a men's bathroom. It was almost three-quarters of the way down a fairly long hallway. So how could he be sure it was THAT particular door? He probably passed ten or twelve before suddenly turning into the men's room.
Anyway, I think we might have to go somewhere we know. Or maybe we'll have to go to the bathroom beforehand. Then again, if we walked into the men's room, I don't think we would be able to tell the difference.
*For other readers, Kathy and I (both blind without our contacts/glasses) are planning on doing an experimental night out without our corrective vision devices. Hence the discussion.
Nice email address, by the way.