Thursday, January 12, 2012

Friday's What the Heck! Public Washroom


Why is it so difficult to find public washrooms that are clean and disinfected? 

I’ve been on a serious green smoothie binge (48oz per day) and drink at least eight cups of water per day since January 1st.    When you read that sentence what is the first thing that comes to mind?  No, not that!

Yikes, I REALLY must GO! 

When I leave the house I have to plan when and how much I drink because we all know that liquid in means liquid out, right!  Especially since I have a daily commute that takes me on the road at least a couple of hours twice a day.   The issue is not the availability of public washrooms. I have no difficulty finding a public washroom.  In the city, almost every block either has a Tim Horton’s, a Second Cup, or a Starbucks.  Sometimes all three are within eyesight.

My issue, however, is that I detest public washrooms.  Really, I would ratter hold it until I get home.  Although sometimes that is impossible given how much I am drinking lately. As soon as I see the “washroom” sign my bladder, which seconds before was “okay, I’m okay,’ suddenly is bursting and I need to go immediately! To be clear,  it’s not the “act” that offends me, after all, we all do it.  

My quandary with the dreaded public washroom:
·      
  •       When you really need to go there is always a waiting line for the ladies washroom
  • ·      No clean place to put your purse or bag
  • ·      Why do all washroom door open into the washroom
  • ·      With everything automated, why are the doors not automatic
  • ·      People who don’t wash their hands still have to pull on the handle to exit
  • ·      The first washroom I pick is usually too filthy or not flushed
  • ·      Check the toilet paper before you sit down, more often than not it is empty
  • ·      Check the seat, sometimes it looks like it was used by a six year old boy, gross
  • ·       Automatic flush either flushes at an inappropriate moment or not at all (But there is a manual flush button!)
  • ·      The automatic tap at the sink is never hot enough or too short a duration to adequately clean
Finally, and just as important, to me anyway...I have a fear of being locked in the washroom. 

What’s your position on public washrooms?  Do you avoid them like the plague, bring your own toilet paper, and or, seat covers? Do you touch the door handle on your way out?  


Would you pay an attendant a user fee? 

I gladly paid a pretty zloty to a washroom attendant to visit a clean public washroom, even as a student in Warsaw, Poland.   At least they always had toilet paper and were continually cleaning the washroom.  It was during Communism when everyone had a job.  With our current economy, It might not be a bad idea to implement such a strategy.   Therefore, I decree that hence forth all public washrooms ought to have an attendant!   Not that I'm for Communism you know.  And not that there is anything wrong with that.  Just saying.  


7 comments:

DUTA said...

We're often told it's healthy to drink about eight glasses of water per day. However, at a certain age (it's individual) water is not easily eliminated from the body and that could be dangerous (water retention).

I get exasperated by the washroom doors that open inside. Why on earth do they make them like that?

Communism had some good points too such as education and..public washrooms.
In November I visited Bucharest the capital of Romania, a former communist country. I was quite impressed by the cleanliness and hygiene of the public washrooms.

Rubye Jack said...

If everyone had a job, sounds like a mighty good thing to me.
What's in your green smoothies? It is so hard to get decent fruit and veggies here in the winter that I've started buying the Naked brand of smoothies.

I would gladly pay for attendants if they could keep a certain group of people from stepping and stooping on the toilets. I really don't get it!

ToBlog today said...

Duta,

I agree Communism did have some good points but there still was a huge inequality of wealth. It's too bad they didn't find a balance.

Rubye,

My green smoothies, have a blend of berries, or fruit, and leafy greens, like spinach, red leaf lettuce, kale, or chard. Blended with water or almond milk. It is so good for you.

That's good point you made about washroom attendants, it's worth the token payment.

DB Stewart said...

There's probably a circle in hell for public washrooms.

ToBlog today said...

dbs, True!

Amir Kafai said...

I agree about the doors, i always feel like i need to wash my hands again after leaving the toilet because i have touched the door handle, automatic door would be good but then could be embarrasing if they are faulty, i wouldn't trust an automatic door when on a public toilet, just in case! I always have my own hand sanitiser just in case.

My partner actually works in washroom services in nottingham and is suprised at how some places get away with being so obviously dirty. I dont think people should have to pay extra for a clean toilet. but general hygeine and the important of having a functionally hygeinic public toilet should be looked at.

ToBlog today said...

Amir,

The products on your partner's website are fantastic. I totally agree, washrooms should have basic general hygiene that is standard regardless of where the washrooms are located.

Thank you for dropping by and commenting. :)

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