Question: I was recently at a horse show with real bathrooms! Four whole stalls and a sink with running water and soap. My joy was short lived. In the stall next to me a woman, apparently a trainer, chatted away on her cell phone. Since I could hear the conversation, it seems she was in the middle of selling a horse and was telling the caller all about how she was really going to make a killing.  I was so grossed out I didn’t know what to do. Is there no place safe from cell phones?

Answer: I have also been witness to this behavior. It’s nasty! It seems to happen a lot in airports. I think it’s because people in airports feel anonymous. Let me state the obvious: using a cell phone in a bathroom is inappropriate. Someone who makes a call in the stall is invading your privacy and the privacy of everyone else who’s in the bathroom.

When this happens, I’m always tempted to ask the person a question about the call, “So, how much are you getting for that horse?” When I’m in a snarkier mood, I’m tempted to make some really loud bathroom-type noises just to see what happens.

In addition to being incredibly rude, you’d think the trainer would be concerned about someone overhearing her conversation. As we all know, the horse world is fairly small, and a professional trainer’s reputation is important currency. If a friend did this, I’d speak up and tell her it was inappropriate, but (unfortunately) I don’t think you can do this with a complete stranger.

Has anyone tried something else? Do tell!

Send me your barn manners question, Elizabeth@sheridesipay.com

Elizabeth Howell grew up riding on the hunter/jumper circuit in Massachusetts. Now she is a horse show mom. She holds a day job at The Emily Post Institute and slings horse manure on the weekends.  Her web site is www.sheridesIpay.com.