Men are definitely from Mars…

Several years ago, a counselor named John Gray wrote a book called Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. I don’t remember everything about the book, but the basic premise is that if men and women will acknowledge their differences, they can better understand and communicate with each other. Like the author, I believe that God made men and women very different and complementary for good reason. Each gender has unique strengths and abilities. And, when male and female work together on problems and projects, form meets function… the world is made better, stronger, more beautiful.

However… this weekend I encountered an example of what happens when male and female do not collaborate.

Please look at this picture of our local Best Buy restroom and see if you can spot the problem:

I don’t know if you’ve ever had the pleasure of using an Xlerator hand dryer {perhaps in a movie theatre or airport restroom}, but I would describe the experience as frighteningly intense. Basically, gale force winds shoot out of the little machine at an alarming decibel. Certainly, your hands get dry in a jiffy… as do the hands, arms, and legs of anyone standing within a three foot radius of the dryer.

But, I know of at least one baby that finds the Xlerator to be completely unnerving. Of course, my guess is that many babies {lying flat on their back in an already unfamiliar place while someone attempts to change their diaper}, might also find the sudden and repeated start-up of the Xlerator to be disturbing.

Now, I don’t think it’s all that surprising that the Best Buy restroom is not plush or family-friendly. But, I think this might be a perfect illustration of why a female should always be consulted on the design and layout of the women’s restroom. Every single time. Just a quick little consultation. 

So, I make this plea on behalf of diaper-wearing infants and toddlers everywhere. Let’s collaborate, people. We must work together to keep this world safe and sane.

Meanwhile, Baby C is still recovering from the shock of this weekend’s hand dryer incident…