Japanese are generally perceived as being particularly fastidious when it comes to bodily cleanliness, what with the special toilet slippers and showering before getting in the bath and all. But it turns out that doesn’t keep some of them from engaging in a much debated activity: peeing in the shower.

According to a survey conducted by Yahoo! Japan, out of a pool of over 31,000 respondents, a surprising 17% admitted to peeing in the shower. There’s quite a gender divide though. About 1 in 5 guys say they let loose, while only 13% of girls would say the same.

The practice has its proponents. Beyond the fact that it’s a natural reflex,  they say that it saves water by reducing the number of times you flush the toilet. In Holland, it’s commonly recommended, and in Brazil, it’s touted as a way to save the rainforest. On the other hand, detractors argue that it’s just gross.

The survey included a space to make a comment, and many respondents availed themselves of the opportunity to explain themselves:

I don’t know why, but every time I get in the shower, I just feel like I need to pee. Of course, I don’t do it in the bath!

No matter what I do, I have to pee as soon as I get in the shower. What am I supposed to do?

There is a certain guilty pleasure in doing something dirty in the place you get clean.

Others warned that the habit can have unintended consequences:

When I was in my teens I got in the habit of peeing almost every time I was in the shower. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that peeing and showering came as a set. But now it’s led to a problem. About a month ago, my new girlfriend and I started showering together, and of course, I totally feel like I have to pee the whole time! I don’t want my girlfriend to know I pee in the shower, though. I’m always worried whether I’ll be able to hold it or not!

Meanwhile, some commentors on the article could hardly contain their disgust:

Reading this made me shudder. Am I the only survivor of a zombie apocalypse or something? Because that is just not human.

That’s disgusting. Didn’t your parents toilet train you? Even animals can figure out where they are supposed to use the toilet.

Well, gentle readers, would you care to settle the debate? Is peeing in the shower a natural, eco-friendly habit or a bestial regression to precivilization? Weigh in with a comment.

Sources: Yahoo! Japan, Himasoku