We have all been there. You are leaving a bar at 2:00 AM after three too many pints. Or you are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on a highway with no rest stop in sight. Or perhaps you are at a crowded outdoor concert where the line for the portable toilet looks longer than the line for the beer tent.
This article explores everything you need to know about public urination—from the specific legal codes that govern it to the surprising public health ramifications. The most immediate consequence of choosing to piss in public is the law. Many people operate under the misconception that public urination is a "victimless crime" or merely a "quality of life" infraction that results in a small fine.
Your bladder is your responsibility. Modern cities have public restrooms (however few), businesses have facilities, and the world has gas stations.
The urge hits. It is primal, demanding, and painful. In that moment of desperation, the dark alleyway, the quiet bush, or the side of a dumpster starts to look like a viable solution. You rationalize: "It’s just water. No one is looking. I’ll be fast."
An in-depth look at the legal, social, health, and ethical consequences of public urination.
