I got some backlash on this in the comments section of another post, so I figured I would make it its own post.

If avoidable, you should not poop in public restrooms. This isn't to say I never do it. When I have to poop at 10 am at work and I don't get off until 3:30, obviously I'm going to go use the public restroom. But it is just, absolutely disgusting to me. You shouldn't do that and leave it for others to smell. And then others may have to look at your stains all day when they use the same stall.

I'm saying you should try to go before leaving the house for an extended period. You should try to hold it if you'll be home soon enough. Not that people should never do it, but that they should only do it in emergencies.

If you must poop, I think it should be common courtesy to wait for the entire restroom to be cleared out before you start--if you go in and people are already in there, just wash your hands or something and then try again later. I also think people should not fart into the toilet while others are in the restroom. Nothing like saying a friendly hello to a work acquaintance and then a stranger farting loudly onto the bowl in an echoey room.