Fresh Words Multiply Latrinalia in a St Andrews Public Restroom

Abstract

The pristine exterior of St Andrews includes a distinct lack of any form of visual chaos, be that posters, street art or graffiti. The phenomenon of latrinalia in the female bathrooms of Aikman’s Bar and Bistro therefore offers a unique insight into the subjectivities of students at the University of St Andrews. Rather than focusing on the content of each individual inscription, as has been typical within previous studies of latrinalia, this ethnography examines the experiences of five female students at the University of St Andrews and their individual responses to the practice of latrinalia in Aikman’s female toilets. The study found that these students characterised the space as vulnerable, connected and impermanent, creating a sense of solidarity amongst bathroom users. These findings provide a complex and diverse insight into the internal experiences of a selection of the student population and encourage further study of possibilities for self-expression within the town.