Billy_Whiskers

That seems silly of them. If you're uncomfortable because of needing to pee you can't be looking your best, more awkward and strained than naturally relaxed, happy and sexy.

Do you suppose they're worried you'll do drugs in the bathroom or something?

Definitely this. I've also stayed in a lot of hostels, and met all kinds of people, but often you'll meet nobody at all. Sometimes people are just there for cheap accommodation while going about their business, or there are groups of friends out to get hammered, which is isn't my bag. The worst are crowds of British football hooligan types passing through for a game.

That said, if you find a hostel where most people are backpackers then the environment is generally fantastic. It's incredibly easy to meet a great variety of people from all over the world, fall in together, spontaneously go do things, make friends, and keep travelling together from there.

As a single male travelling alone, hostels can be very friendly and welcoming environments, sterile waiting rooms, or noisy vomit buckets full of young macho shitheads.

tldr; read the reviews before booking.

and, yes, hitmen.

Oh please. This urban legend has been debunked so often. Let's see your source, or was it The Blacklist?