Carly Findlay

Writer, speaker, appearance activist. Loving life!

  • About me
  • Say Hello – my book
  • Hire me!
  • Support Me
  • Contact
  • What is Ichthyosis?
  • Ichthyosis + appearance diversity resources
  • Disclaimer
  • Shop
  • Guest post contribution guidelines
  • Growing Up Disabled in Australia

Can I come in to use your toilet and pray?

April 7, 2011 Carly Findlay 7 Comments

On my way home yesterday, a man I’d never met asked me if he could come inside my apartment, use the toilet, and pray. Because it was nearly past his prayer-o’clock.

A series of ‘what the fucks???’ crossed my mind, then a ‘forgive me for I may have sinned’ to ward off the what the fucks, just in case, despite different and often opposing religions. I said NO.

I put this situation on Facebook, asking if my refusal to let him in was uncharitable. All friends who responded said it was reasonable for me not to let him inside. It was a unanimous no. Terms like weirdo, murderer, rapist, con-artist, and junkie were bandied about. Mum reminded me of the stranger danger that she taught me as a kid. And someone pointed out the obvious. If he needed to pray on time, he needed to plan his trip better. That’s what the Metlink site is there for.

Despite all of these potential realities – I once came home to a junkie lying in my yard, looking a bit dead and so I called the police, so if I handled that I could handle anything – I was worried about two things if I were to invite him in. Were there any dirty undies on the floor, left in haste before the morning’s shower? And I dislike religion being forced onto me, so the thought of someone praying in my apartment disturbed the BeJesus (or in this case, the BeAllah) out of me. Being murdered didn’t cross my mind.

Someone asked if my toilet was a shrine. Well yes, actually. It is. Aside from the seriously stylish prints of Libra Fleur adorning my cistern, my toilet door is a shrine to some of my favourite musos. Pictures of Silverchair. Savage Garden, Genevieve Maynard and Kurt Cobain are blu-tacked on the back (shhh it’s a rental), and a sign that reads ‘Do not disturb, I’m listening to Silverchair’ hangs from the handle (definitely NOT a euphemism for ‘do not disturb, I’m doing a poo’). Had I let the man in, my music tastes (religion) may have been forced on him in the toilet-shrine.

And that’s just another example of the strange folk I attract.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

carly findlay, prayer o'clock, toilet, Uncategorized

Comments

  1. JulieCottle says

    April 8, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    How hilarious. I think I would have wanted to let him in but would have had to channel my inner grown up and say no, sorry, my dog would maul you.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Blithely Unaware says

    April 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    So weird… but funny at the same time.

    I wouldn't have let him in either :/ :/ :/

    Log in to Reply
  3. Katie says

    April 9, 2011 at 12:30 am

    It's definitely a situation where I think I'd feel a bit strange afterwards. Was it mean to say no? Would it be crazy to say yes? Not fun.

    I think I'd probably say no to any person of any religious affiliation who just asked to use my loo. It's sad, but it's a reflection of society today. You don't know who the crazies are.

    Log in to Reply
  4. River says

    April 9, 2011 at 1:13 am

    Reread your third paragraph.
    Reread your third paragraph.
    Reread your third paragraph.
    Survive. Stay alive.
    Do not let strangers into your apartment.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Alexis of NorthOnHarper says

    April 9, 2011 at 6:06 am

    Ummmmm. I am with your mom "Stranger Danger!!!"

    Log in to Reply
  6. katie says

    April 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    OMG. Carly that freaks me out. You proably had that "hair on your neck feeling". I know I did while reading this. That's just so creepy. I hate that shit.

    One time this random construction worker walked up to me as I was walking my puppy and was like:
    "What a cute puppy!"
    Me: "Thanks!"
    Man: *trying to take puppy* "He's so cute."
    Me: "Please don't pick him up. He doesn't like it."
    Man: Asks me weird sexual questions."
    I freaked out.
    I hightailed it outta there.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Miss Peregrin says

    April 11, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    I would not have known how to respond to that at all. But I do have a pretty iron-clad rule that I don't unlock the front door for strangers. That is just so odd.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Socials

  • View tune.into.radio.carly’s profile on Facebook
  • View @carlyfindlay’s profile on Twitter
  • View carlyfindlay’s profile on Instagram
  • View sqoggle’s profile on YouTube

Book me to speak

Sign up for some love in your inbox

Listen to my podcast

Tune in

Enter your email address to receive new posts by email.

Archives

Popular Posts

  • What's with the image descriptions on my social media posts?
  • Interview with Beth Bradfield from Malory Towers
  • July is Disability Pride Month
  • Six at Best - Eddie Perfect - Offspring
  • The death of Offspring's Dr Patrick Reid. The TV death that stopped a nation.
  • Ichthyosis Awareness Month - The Girl Behind the Face: "Life’s rarely been split between either laughter or tears; both have existed simultaneously."
  • Creamoata: a much loved, yet lost food of my childhood. Help me find it.
  • Ichthyosis and exercise
  • Miss You Love - an analysis of a beautful Silverchair song
  • Stop praying for and exploiting disabled children and adults on Facebook.

Copyright

The material on Tune into Radio Carly is copyright. The writing in this blog is by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Most photos in this blog are by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without permission from Carly Findlay. This blog represents my personal opinions and experiences. It does not reflect those of my employers'. The information I provide about ichthyosis is mostly based on personal experiences. Please seek medical advice or counseling before trying any new treatments I've written about. Where stared, I use affiliate links on this blog. By clicking them, I receive a small percentage of the purchase.

Copyright © 2022 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.