Today we shall talk about something that no one likes to talk about in my industry. Some construction workers will try to go all day without it. Some construction workers do not give it much thought at all. The trades will argue about many things, but when the temperature reaches 90 degrees, we all agree on one thing. You may have already guessed today’s topic, but before we get elbows deep in it, let us discuss the history of The Portalets.

As a construction worker, I have always been curious how portalets came about and why in 2025 are we still using them. Well, I did some research and the concept of the portalet came about in the 1940’s. Shipyards realized their employees were losing valuable time because they had to hike all the way back to the docks. They decided to build a wooden cabana, fitted with a holding tank. The workers could stay on the ships they were building; this made the work go faster and possibly made the workers happier. Did it really make the workers happier?

If you have ever been to an outdoor event and thought those portalets were bad, well I have some bad news. Any construction worker will tell you that these particular portalets are pristine. We deal with portalets day in and day out. If we are lucky, they are cleaned once a week, more often than not, they stay soiled until enough people complain. Dirty, disgusting portalets. Here’s something you probably don’t know. Most construction sites are smoke free, which makes the portalet a great place for smokers to hang out. Don’t get me started on not having running water. I was a germophobic when I joined the trade, not being able to wash my hands for a week cured that problem. You mean to tell me in 80 years we can’t get something better for construction workers?

In a more humorous note, portalets have become part of construction workers’ culture. For construction workers, a portalet is just another social media platform. Let’s be clear, not all construction workers contribute to the portalet walls, but we all consume the content. In my 23 years of working in this trade I have recognized 3 types of portalet posters; The Portalet Poet, The Portalet Picasso and the ill-informed Political posts.

I would have to say that when I was younger, the creativity of construction workers was at an all-time high. I mean guys would come back from, “Letting go of some coffee” and talk about the latest thing written on the portalet walls. Did you read that? Did you see that? You have to check it out next time you go, it’s in the third portalet from the parking garage. It has been a form of entertainment. One of the more creative, perverse form of literature I read on a portalet wall, reads as follows.

There once was a man named Gent, His Dick was so long it was bent. To save him some trouble he put it in double and instead of coming he went.

Well, let’s move on, shall we? I hold a special place in my heart for The Portalet Picasso. On every job there seems to be one big asshole that tries to bring everyone down. On almost every job there is an artist that will put this jerk in his place by drawing him on the walls in compromising positions. In more recent years there was a guy I call Bob who made life hell for anyone that got in his way. When Bob wasn’t meeting his deadlines, he blamed it on the guy he was working with. When Bob’s tool buddy got laid off, the word spread like wildfire. I remember one morning at break; I passed a few guys snickering. When I asked them what was going on, they told me to check out this portalet they were standing close to. I opened up the portalet door and saw a big, fat worm with his hands on his belly. The worm was wearing a hardhat and seemed to be leaning back laughing. The caption read I am Bob and I’m a worm. They say karma will get you and, in this case, The Portalet Picasso got to him first. After a few weeks Bob couldn’t take it anymore and he quit working for his contractor.

Now I don’t plan to talk about the political posts, I’ve already filled your heads full of nonsense. I just want to get back to my question; Why are we still using portalets in 2025? In 23 years, I’ve been on two jobs with bathroom trailers and temporary running water. Let’s show some love to the men and women building the cities in which we live. Our jobs are hard enough as it is. As I said in the past, we live on these construction sites for 60 to 70 hours a week. It’s about time to have a thrown away from home. I want to thank you all for participating, and as always,

I’ll see you on the next one.