Bathroom Confessions: On-The-Spot Advice From The Girl Next Door

What exactly is this thing they call the female bond? Ideally, it is the unspoken connection that all girls and women share: an open sisterhood that allows any lady, at any time, to call upon her fellow femmes for support, advice, and comradely.

Yet, in my own experience (and I'm sure I'm not alone), this bond has been called into question many times. Aside from the fact that calling it "unspoken" is just silly...they don't call it girl talk for nothing...the sisterhood is anything but open. With the existence of cliques, competition, and just plain cattiness, this so-called bond is broken everyday. There are some who say that women were programmed to compete with one another; the make-up, fashion, and fitness industries wouldn't be the giants they are today if it weren't for women constantly trying to one-up each other. Not to mention, it does seem to keep us distracted from uniting as one feminine force and taking over the world, doesn't it?

All theories and conspiracies aside, does this female bond even exist anymore or is it simply a social myth? One might point out the Ladies Lunching at various sidewalk cafes, the group of girls herding around their vulnerable drunk friend at a local bar, and even the woman stopping another to inform her that her thong is sticking out of her pants. Despite our squabbling, women need each other, friend or stranger. So, in true experimental fashion, I've conducted a little investigation. If this bond does exist, what will one woman say to another when put on the spot for advice...and in the most lady-like spot of all: the women's restroom?

I've spent the week locking myself in women's restrooms all over town, waiting for an unsuspecting woman to occupy the stall next to me. Once she's got her pants around her ankles, I ask for advice on various subjects. Will they try to help or will they flush and bolt?

Location: Department store bathroom