Longing for 'Flushing Sound'

**TMI Warning** Since returning to the US, I've become a lot more...er, regular. Those of you who know me (too) well can attest to my less-than-ideal gastro-intestinal system. Well all that fortified cereal I'm eating seems to be paying off! The downside of this is what many of you fellow office workers might recognize as the midday poop. Every day I find myself in one of those public restroom stalls, surrounded on all sides by my co-workers, trying to keep a tight reign on the sounds of my turd(s) plopping.

This is where Japan's ubiquitous "flushing sound" toilet feature would definitely come in handy. I for one think most Japanese ladies overuse the flushing sound button, pushing it automatically upon entry into any stall, whether Nature is knocking at their back door or not. Though I seldom had cause to use it myself, it was always there-- like a crutch. How I miss that babbling stream!