There are many mysteries in life -- but if you don't point them out, you'll miss some. For example, why are public toilet seats U-shaped and private ones O-shaped? Were you aware of the difference until now?
What’s up with the gap?
The U shape of public toilet seats is known as an open-front toilet seat. According to Mental Floss, it’s basically required for public restrooms under the American Standard National Plumbing Code. The code was created in 1955 and further reinforced by the 1973 Uniform Plumbing Code put in place by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
The code states: "Flush toilets shall be equipped with smooth seats of non-absorbent material. All toilet seats for public use should be open front."
Why, you ask? Well, it all comes down to hygiene.
Both plumbing rules rationalize that if the front of a public toilet seat is open, your private parts are less likely to come into contact with bacteria-infested ceramics.
Also, public toilet seats are designed with women in mind. Lynne Simick, senior director of code development at IAPMO, told Slate that U-shaped seats "allow women to wipe down the perineal area after using the toilet without touching the seat."
Also, men are less likely to spray the actual seat when doing business, although it is well known that this is not always the case.
So now you know the story behind the shape of the public toilet seat. Maybe now you'll feel the need to buy a U-shaped toilet for your home toilet, because since when do family members have fewer germs than strangers?