I can’t quite work out if Matthew Parris has his tongue in his cheek here:
Why do women leave lavatory seats in the “down” position? I am getting increasingly fed up with this inconsiderate behaviour. Hygiene and common sense dictate that “up” should be the default option and everyone should leave the seat lifted, to keep it unsplashed next time. Public toilets should have sprung seats, returning automatically to up.
I don’t think so though: it’s not Parris’ style. Maybe the Times’ editor wanted something controversial to boost the letters page. I doubt he’ll be disappointed.
I lost the argument long ago chez Hartley. Seat down looks better. The main point though, surely, is that it’s polite to cater for the likely next user, and in a mixed household, with women always having the seat down, and men sometimes having the seat down, it’s seat down that wins.
Also, I think, women resent having to lower the seat when they know that any splashes on it will have come from men.
I’ve no idea why Parris thinks seat up is more hygienic, unless they’re in the habit chez Parris of not bothering to raise the seat when they stagger in for a piss in the middle of the night.
Mick Hartley 
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