On Corporate Decision Making

I work in the Manhattan headquarters of a pretty big company. I happen to work on the same floor as the company's top dog. The facility, because of the vip tenants, is nicer than your normal corporate space.

Yet, the actual facilities leave something to be desired in terms of privacy. We have a small three stall, two upright setup with a modest two sink foyer. It is a simple affair and clearly not built with luxury or privacy in mind.

Last week, a rather short man, mid 40's, bald and bowtied was midstream when I arrived. (Yep, the big dog) I greeted him, saddled up next door, and began MY thing. This froze him, or rather froze his flow. I guess I should explain this phenomenon to the ladies. Sometimes when 1. Under particular duress, or 2. In extreme proximity, or 3. Otherwise surprised, some men shut down operations. The technical term for this is the Fenway Freeze though I think it is known on the street as Paruresis. Regarding this particular episode of bladder shyness, he stayed until I left and I assume everything began again as intended.

I didn't make much of it except for recounting the story once or twice with friends (ok, maybe a half dozen times).

Anyway, this morning as I sent my morning coffee out to used coffee heaven, I noticed that we now have a pretty damn substantial divider installed between the urinals....first class executive privacy. Now that, my friends, has command decision written all over it.