Last week, I started a new job in an office setting where the ratio of women to men is roughly 3:2. The washrooms are single-person units with a regular toilet and sink. I've been going about my business as usual - sometimes the seat's left up, other times it's left down.

At the end of the day yesterday, I got an email from a (male) coworker with "leave the toilet seat down to keep the peace" in the subject line that included a quoted message from one of the girls asking him to ask me to put the toilet seat down so "the ladies don't fall into the toilet". He said not to take it seriously/personally but to just put the seat down.

I responded with humor because I didn't know how else to respond. I said leaving the seat up would prevent spiders and snakes from hiding under the seat and biting people in the "buttocks region." I even included a couple photos I found on google for added humour.

I went to my coworker's desk to joke about it afterwards and he said that the women always make a fuss over the toilet seat whenever a new guy is hired.

I guess I'm a little shocked that this is still an issue to some people. I'm also surprised that it's come up at work. It also bugs me that the women didn't make the request themselves but enlisted a male coworker to do so. I know he said it was all in good fun but it sounds like if I don't start putting the seat down, there might be some tension down the road.

Anyways, I'm not entirely sure whether to comply or not. I'm the new guy so I don't want to step on any toes but I don't want to feel bullied into doing something I've never done either. I come from a household of 3 women and 3 men. NONE of the women have ever demanded I put the seat down. I always hear about it happening but this is the first time I've personally experienced it.

I'll probably compromise by putting both the seat and lid down.

Edit: Spelling & grammar