Diary of a Gen Z Student: Modern mens' toilet manners leave me flush with anger

"I would like to draw the attention of the men of Ireland to toilet seat etiquette. I urge you to hear me out on this one: I believe men should be putting the toilet seat down after themselves. Why do I believe this, you ask?"

Jane Cowan in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin Photograph Moya Nolan

Some things I know about the modern man: 1) If a plane is going down, they think they have a reasonable chance of landing it successfully; 2) If being attacked by a crocodile or a bear, they think they could fight back with the possibility of winning; 3) They’ve still not worked out if a woman can pee with a tampon in.

It is facts like these that often leave me looking at men with a sense of bewilderment. If we’re to believe in natural selection, it’s a miracle they’ve made it this far. The weak link of our species, I have often thought. Yet, here they are. 2025 and still showing up.