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This paper develops an economic analysis of the toilet seat etiquette. I investigate whether there is any efficiency justification for the presumption that men should leave the toilet seat down after use. I find that the “down rule” is inefficient unless there is a large asymmetry in the inconvenience costs of shifting the position of the toilet seat across genders. I show that the “selfish” or the “status quo” rule that leaves the toilet seat in the position used dominates the down rule in a wide range of parameter spaces including the case where the inconvenience costs are the same.
Source: “UP OR DOWN? A MALE ECONOMIST’S MANIFESTO ON THE TOILET SEAT ETIQUETTE” from Economic Inquiry
I had a great long weekend. I highly recommend Life (narrated by David Attenborough). Watched it over the holiday and was very impressed. It’s from the makers of the equally excellent Planet Earth.
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