This topic is about dealing with negative or crude reactions when people learn about a urostomy, which is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the body for urine to pass through into a bag. The originator of the discussion often hears comments like “Oh yuck! Fancy peeing into a bag!” and responds with humor. They are curious about how others handle such reactions and emphasize the importance of maintaining a sense of humor.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Use humor or quick comebacks to re-frame the situation:
- “Your large bowel is hauling around 5 feet of crap; my pouch only 5 inches—who’s really full of it?”
- “I’d rather not pee on myself or die, thanks.”
- Quote Shrek: “Better out than in.”
- “I chose to live—what about you?”

2. Tell them off directly, politely or not:
- Say “Foxtrot Oscar” (FO in the pilot phonetic alphabet = “F-off”).
- A simple “Piss off” if you prefer bluntness.

3. Give no reaction at all:
- A raised eyebrow, walk away, or complete silence can shut down insensitive remarks.
- One person literally turns and walks off mid-sentence as a form of self-preservation.

4. Limit disclosure to a “need-to-know” basis:
- After early experiences with ignorance and stigma, several people now share ostomy information only with medical staff or intimate partners.
- This avoids being labeled “the person with the bag” at work and shields you from uninformed or judgmental comments.

5. Remember that some people simply seek superiority or attention; their opinions are not worth your emotional energy.