Gross Reason Why Men Shouldn't Pee Standing Up And How It's Being Taught In Some Countries

While it's very common in many countries, including the US, it turns out that men peeing while standing up is actually pretty gross. 

A lot of men might say that it feels completely natural to stand while going for a number one, but it turns out this habit isn’t exactly hygienic.

The debate about whether men should stand or sit when peeing recently blew up thanks to a viral post by the Twitter account 'non aesthetic things'.

The post was titled, "Why men shouldn't pee standing up." 

It kicked off with a video showing a man peeing with what can only be described as an overwhelming amount of urine. 

Let’s just say, it looked like he had been holding that one in for a while!

The video went on to explain that men typically "aim for four spots" when they pee standing up. 

It might seem like hitting the back of the toilet is your safest bet, but it's actually the "most destructive option." 

Why? According to the video, "The rebound splash can be up to 7,550 drops of urine." That’s quite a mess.

If you're aiming for the middle of the toilet instead, the number of drops falls to around 372. 

But here’s the gross part: even with the best aim, urine can splash and travel between 7.5 to 15 cm. 

As those droplets collide and spurt even further, the spray can go as far as 91 cm.

This means that standing up to pee could result in urine landing on toothbrushes, toilet paper, or even your freshly washed towels. Pretty disgusting, right?

The comment section of the viral video blew up with reactions.

One user joked, "Good thing I don't keep my hand towels at the same level as the toilet bowl!"

You may want to think twice about standing while going for a wee Getty Stock Photo

Another added, "Am I the only boy who didn't learn in grammar school about the hazards of peeing while standing?!?"

It seems like the argument for men to sit down when going for a wee is growing stronger—and medical experts agree. In fact, past surveys have shown similar findings.

A survey conducted last year looked into how men position themselves when they urinate. 

The YouGov study found that men in the US aren’t peeing in the most efficient or health-conscious way.

However, in Germany, 60 percent of men sit down to pee, likely because they’ve been taught to do so from a young age.

Gerald Collins, a consultant urological surgeon at the Alexandra Hospital, shared that sitting is “probably the most efficient way” for men to go for a wee.

According to Collins, sitting not only reduces the mess but also has potential health benefits, as it can promote better bladder emptying.