Science at work! My friend Pat and I just solved one of the great mysteries of our time. I’ll let you see it unfold in real-time via our Instant Messager conversation:

Pat: actually, what time is it there
krisinsydney: it’s 10:16 a.m.
Pat: oh
krisinsydney: We’re, what, seven hours behind Chicago?
Pat: but its tomorrow
krisinsydney: right.
Pat: crazy round earth
Pat: so, does the toilet swirl the other way down there?
krisinsydney: i think that’s a myth.
krisinsydney: i haven’t watched though.
krisinsydney: okay, so flush yours and see which way it goes.
Pat: ok, i’ll be right back
krisinsydney: i’ll go do mine.

(Pause)

Pat: right to left
Pat: counter clockwise
krisinsydney: no way!
Pat: what does yours do
krisinsydney: well, ours doesn’t actually swirl. it just whooshes straight down. but i filled the sink and pulled the stopper and THAT goes clockwise!
Pat: haha
Pat: i told you
Pat: mr wizard wouldnt lie to me

See? Conclusive proof that drains swirl one way in the Northern Hemisphere, and one way in the Southern. Now we just need someone equatorial to tell us what they do in the middle. Kristen??