Retail business without public restroom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. I have family members with IBS and have been part of many family dramas when people who needed bathrooms urgently couldn't get them in a timely manner while running errands.

Also, state of Maryland, people driving on rural roads to your Civil War battlefields might need bathrooms if theyre little kids, elderly, or have IBS!!! Thanks for nothing for an especially traumatic road trip years ago when we discovered MD gas stations don't usually keep bathrooms public and have absolutely no mercy.

Make sure you never go on vacation to Europe if you think we lack bathrooms here in the US!

The thing is, private companies don't want explosive diarrhea all over their bathrooms. They can't afford to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance. And they hate getting bad reviews on "gross bathrooms", so it's better to just not offer bathrooms.

If IBS is a problem, you need to look into keeping a portable toilet in your trunk. That would solve all of your problems. Or adult diapers.

[Anonymous]

I was recently a Potbelly that was off the lobby of a large office building. While I was there, I noticed a steady stream (pun intended) of men (only men) coming into the Potbelly from the lobby to use a bathroom that was right next to that entrance, and then leave. None of these men patronized the business. I am sure they are using it because they don't want to deal with the consequences of befouling the bathroom in their office. Like I'm sure these men have access to a bathroom at work, but they wanted the anonymity of using a public restroom where they could leave the scene of the crime and no one would know.

Aaaaand I will never patronize that Potbelly again, and feel bad for whatever employee has to clean that bathroom at the end of the day.

This is why we can't have nice things. For every toddler who can't hold it or person who has IBS, there's some ahole nursing a hangover who drank 4 cups of coffee this morning and he's just looking for somewhere anonymous to reveal things about himself that he should really be telling a doctor or nutritionist. Thanks guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My aunt owned a small book and gift shop and I worked there in the summers. She eventually had to stop allowing customers to use the restroom because they would leave it a disgusting mess. I mean, really revolting--as if they had never been in an indoor restroom in their lives. Pee on the floor, clogged toilets, water left running, excrement on merchandise and walls. And this was a quiet little shop with a generally upscale and middle-aged clientele. I can't even imagine what a larger business would have to deal with.

Or the liability if someone is shooting up drugs/ doing drugs in the bathroom and ODs. Or leaves needles around and little kids get ahold of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was recently a Potbelly that was off the lobby of a large office building. While I was there, I noticed a steady stream (pun intended) of men (only men) coming into the Potbelly from the lobby to use a bathroom that was right next to that entrance, and then leave. None of these men patronized the business. I am sure they are using it because they don't want to deal with the consequences of befouling the bathroom in their office. Like I'm sure these men have access to a bathroom at work, but they wanted the anonymity of using a public restroom where they could leave the scene of the crime and no one would know.

Aaaaand I will never patronize that Potbelly again, and feel bad for whatever employee has to clean that bathroom at the end of the day.

This is why we can't have nice things. For every toddler who can't hold it or person who has IBS, there's some ahole nursing a hangover who drank 4 cups of coffee this morning and he's just looking for somewhere anonymous to reveal things about himself that he should really be telling a doctor or nutritionist. Thanks guys.

I mean, I definitely go to the far-off, secluded bathroom to drop a bomb. Who’s doing that in the main bathroom? And what’s the alternative, holding it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legal, and stupid. I was at a niche type store making a similarly large purchase when my then-4yo said he had to go #2 NOW! I asked and they said they couldn’t accommodate. It all happened so fast and before we could get out the door to the car he let it all out all over the carpet. I had a boy covered in excrement and they still wouldn’t let me use the restroom. So not only did they lose out on the sale, they had a crappy mess to clean on the carpet.

It sounds like your son was sick. If he had so little control over his bowels, it's very likely he would have crapped all over their bathroom, too. At least in this case, he had clothes on which likely captured most of it.

Be honest: if your son had crapped on the floor of the their bathroom, how much effort would you have put into cleaning it up? Or would you have thought, "eh, I'm sure they pay someone to clean this" and left?

It's an unfortunate anecdote but actually doesn't change the equation for most businesses at all. There is little to no benefit to providing a bathroom and there are huge downsides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently a Potbelly that was off the lobby of a large office building. While I was there, I noticed a steady stream (pun intended) of men (only men) coming into the Potbelly from the lobby to use a bathroom that was right next to that entrance, and then leave. None of these men patronized the business. I am sure they are using it because they don't want to deal with the consequences of befouling the bathroom in their office. Like I'm sure these men have access to a bathroom at work, but they wanted the anonymity of using a public restroom where they could leave the scene of the crime and no one would know.

Aaaaand I will never patronize that Potbelly again, and feel bad for whatever employee has to clean that bathroom at the end of the day.

This is why we can't have nice things. For every toddler who can't hold it or person who has IBS, there's some ahole nursing a hangover who drank 4 cups of coffee this morning and he's just looking for somewhere anonymous to reveal things about himself that he should really be telling a doctor or nutritionist. Thanks guys.

I mean, I definitely go to the far-off, secluded bathroom to drop a bomb. Who’s doing that in the main bathroom? And what’s the alternative, holding it?

PP here. It wasn't a "secluded bathroom." It was a very busy Potbelly during lunch rush -- every seat filled and a line out the door. The appeal for these guys was that it was simply not in their actual offices. They didn't know the people in the sandwich shop, and had an easy escape route, so they felt free to befoul that bathroom.

And since you asked: the alternative is to talk to a doctor about your toxic excrement and make the necessary dietary and lifestyle choices to improve that situation. If you poo smells so bad that you regularly need to use isolated bathrooms to avoid social repercussions, then my guess is that your diet is disgusting and this is largely your fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legal, and stupid. I was at a niche type store making a similarly large purchase when my then-4yo said he had to go #2 NOW! I asked and they said they couldn’t accommodate. It all happened so fast and before we could get out the door to the car he let it all out all over the carpet. I had a boy covered in excrement and they still wouldn’t let me use the restroom. So not only did they lose out on the sale, they had a crappy mess to clean on the carpet.

It sounds like your son was sick. If he had so little control over his bowels, it's very likely he would have crapped all over their bathroom, too. At least in this case, he had clothes on which likely captured most of it.

Be honest: if your son had crapped on the floor of the their bathroom, how much effort would you have put into cleaning it up? Or would you have thought, "eh, I'm sure they pay someone to clean this" and left?

It's an unfortunate anecdote but actually doesn't change the equation for most businesses at all. There is little to no benefit to providing a bathroom and there are huge downsides.

I absolutely would have cleaned it! I’m not a heathen. My point was that I’m sure cleaning the carpet at the front of the store of feces was exponentially more of a time suck. At least, I hope they thoroughly cleaned it afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently a Potbelly that was off the lobby of a large office building. While I was there, I noticed a steady stream (pun intended) of men (only men) coming into the Potbelly from the lobby to use a bathroom that was right next to that entrance, and then leave. None of these men patronized the business. I am sure they are using it because they don't want to deal with the consequences of befouling the bathroom in their office. Like I'm sure these men have access to a bathroom at work, but they wanted the anonymity of using a public restroom where they could leave the scene of the crime and no one would know.

Aaaaand I will never patronize that Potbelly again, and feel bad for whatever employee has to clean that bathroom at the end of the day.

This is why we can't have nice things. For every toddler who can't hold it or person who has IBS, there's some ahole nursing a hangover who drank 4 cups of coffee this morning and he's just looking for somewhere anonymous to reveal things about himself that he should really be telling a doctor or nutritionist. Thanks guys.

I mean, I definitely go to the far-off, secluded bathroom to drop a bomb. Who’s doing that in the main bathroom? And what’s the alternative, holding it?

PP here. It wasn't a "secluded bathroom." It was a very busy Potbelly during lunch rush -- every seat filled and a line out the door. The appeal for these guys was that it was simply not in their actual offices. They didn't know the people in the sandwich shop, and had an easy escape route, so they felt free to befoul that bathroom.

And since you asked: the alternative is to talk to a doctor about your toxic excrement and make the necessary dietary and lifestyle choices to improve that situation. If you poo smells so bad that you regularly need to use isolated bathrooms to avoid social repercussions, then my guess is that your diet is disgusting and this is largely your fault.

It was “secluded” from their coworkers noses. I’m sure their concern isn’t hiding their stench from strangers.

[Anonymous]

Bathrooms are way more accessible in the U.S. than in many other countries.
For many retail establishments there are also security/safety reasons for not allowing customers to use the bathroom. They're often in the stock room or another non-customer facing area. Some people will ask to use the bathroom in order to steal. I worked in clothing retail and was no stranger to cleaning poop off the carpet of a dressing room. People are disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was recently a Potbelly that was off the lobby of a large office building. While I was there, I noticed a steady stream (pun intended) of men (only men) coming into the Potbelly from the lobby to use a bathroom that was right next to that entrance, and then leave. None of these men patronized the business. I am sure they are using it because they don't want to deal with the consequences of befouling the bathroom in their office. Like I'm sure these men have access to a bathroom at work, but they wanted the anonymity of using a public restroom where they could leave the scene of the crime and no one would know.

Aaaaand I will never patronize that Potbelly again, and feel bad for whatever employee has to clean that bathroom at the end of the day.

This is why we can't have nice things. For every toddler who can't hold it or person who has IBS, there's some ahole nursing a hangover who drank 4 cups of coffee this morning and he's just looking for somewhere anonymous to reveal things about himself that he should really be telling a doctor or nutritionist. Thanks guys.

You clearly aren't a guy. These men aren't going into the Potbelly's to drop a deuce, they are probably going in there to urinate before they go out to lunch. Most men want to take a deuce in seclusion, not in a public bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some states have Ally's law for certain medical conditions. But generally no restrooms in public establishments unless they serve food. Even then they can say customers only.

I do wonder how you got this far in life without knowing this.

I don’t know where you live, but here in the DMV I shop at garden centers and other businesses where customers have access to restrooms. This GC/nursery in Alexandria sells plants at high prices and can afford maintaining one or two restrooms. Maybe the employees are not flushing the toilets and don’t want customers to complain.

Uh, no, much more likely that entitled customers like you are hovering, not cleaning up after yourself, and the staff have revolted.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. I have family members with IBS and have been part of many family dramas when people who needed bathrooms urgently couldn't get them in a timely manner while running errands.

Also, state of Maryland, people driving on rural roads to your Civil War battlefields might need bathrooms if theyre little kids, elderly, or have IBS!!! Thanks for nothing for an especially traumatic road trip years ago when we discovered MD gas stations don't usually keep bathrooms public and have absolutely no mercy.

It shouldn't be on individual businesses to shoulder the burden, though. It's a public good. The expectation that all small businesses should maintain a restroom for public use, keep that restroom clean and in working order no matter how many people might stop to use it, is unreasonable.

There is a lot of technology now that would enable municipalities and counties to serve this public need by maintaining portable bathrooms for public use. It could even create jobs and businesses if governments invested in this, because you would need to hire people to maintain them and also more companies would go into the business if it they knew they had a customer for it. The technology would improve further (as it is, the technological advancements are largely driven by government investments in Asia and Europe, where this is viewed as a public health and sanitation issue).

But getting mad because some tiny gas station in the middle of nowhere isn't maintaining a bathroom for you doesn't make sense. I say that as a parent who has had to stop many times and been rejected from place even as my toddler literally peed on himself. It sucks. But it's not the fault of the business (nor the employee who is just following company policy).

None of this sounds reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legal, and stupid. I was at a niche type store making a similarly large purchase when my then-4yo said he had to go #2 NOW! I asked and they said they couldn’t accommodate. It all happened so fast and before we could get out the door to the car he let it all out all over the carpet. I had a boy covered in excrement and they still wouldn’t let me use the restroom. So not only did they lose out on the sale, they had a crappy mess to clean on the carpet.

It sounds like your son was sick. If he had so little control over his bowels, it's very likely he would have crapped all over their bathroom, too. At least in this case, he had clothes on which likely captured most of it.

Be honest: if your son had crapped on the floor of the their bathroom, how much effort would you have put into cleaning it up? Or would you have thought, "eh, I'm sure they pay someone to clean this" and left?

It's an unfortunate anecdote but actually doesn't change the equation for most businesses at all. There is little to no benefit to providing a bathroom and there are huge downsides.

THIS THIS THIS. Would you have been happy if you'd been met leaving the bathroom with an employee handing you cleaning supplies and requesting you to clean up after your son? I bet not. But it isn't their job to clean up your kid's shit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The grocery store nearest to us recently started locking their restroom so you have to find an employee to unlock it for you. I’ll be shopping at the other grocery store a little further away a lot more now because of this.

Really? How often do you have to use the bathroom in the middle of grocery shopping?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s legal, and stupid. I was at a niche type store making a similarly large purchase when my then-4yo said he had to go #2 NOW! I asked and they said they couldn’t accommodate. It all happened so fast and before we could get out the door to the car he let it all out all over the carpet. I had a boy covered in excrement and they still wouldn’t let me use the restroom. So not only did they lose out on the sale, they had a crappy mess to clean on the carpet.

It sounds like your son was sick. If he had so little control over his bowels, it's very likely he would have crapped all over their bathroom, too. At least in this case, he had clothes on which likely captured most of it.

Be honest: if your son had crapped on the floor of the their bathroom, how much effort would you have put into cleaning it up? Or would you have thought, "eh, I'm sure they pay someone to clean this" and left?

It's an unfortunate anecdote but actually doesn't change the equation for most businesses at all. There is little to no benefit to providing a bathroom and there are huge downsides.

THIS THIS THIS. Would you have been happy if you'd been met leaving the bathroom with an employee handing you cleaning supplies and requesting you to clean up after your son? I bet not. But it isn't their job to clean up your kid's shit.

Well, it was when he shit on the carpet and we left. They also had to put away my cart full of stuff I had to abandon.