You’ve probably noticed that public toilets are different from the ones you have at home in that they have an opening at the front, meaning they are shaped like a “U.” It turns out that there is actually a very good and straight-forward reason behind this design that has likely never occurred to you before.

Plumbing codes all over the U.S. actually dictate that public toilets have to be open-front. In California, the plumbing code states, “All water closet seats, except those within dwelling units, shall be either of the open front type or have an automatic seat cover dispenser.” This code has been in place since 1955.

The reason why plumbing codes call for this is hygiene. U-shaped seats give men extra room so that their genitals do not touch the toilet seat. They are also good for women because they ensure that when you wipe, your hand doesn’t accidentally touch the seat where a stranger’s genitals were just resting.

On top of that, open-front toilet seats are cheaper to make because they require less material. Finally, U-shaped toilet seats are less likely to be stolen, as strange as that sounds. People are less likely to steal open-front toilet seats because they do not fit regular toilets. Believe it or not, people steal toilet seats more than you think they do!

Who would have thought that there was such solid reasons for public bathrooms having U-shaped toilet seats?! SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this nifty fact as well!