Even when we had the curtains, Economy Class passengers using the forward lavatories was an issue. When the curtains went away, it just became worse. Now that they're (kind of back), it remains an issue.

It's just the way things are done in (at least) the United States. Foreign-flag airlines are more...firm...about enforcing the protocols and I guess people just accept "that's how it's done overseas" and roll with it.

When American-flag carrier staff try to firmly enforce the lav policy, people come on to FlyerTalk to complain as much as when they don't. It's a no-win scenario and when either side brings it up in FlyerTalk, the debate quickly polarizes into either side and then the moderators need to start pruning to maintain forum decorum.

In the end, this is "how it's done in the US". Maybe airlines like Virgin Blue will bring a bit of that "foreign-flag carrier firmness" to the lavs and if they do, then for those who find it an issue can patronize them.