Stores With "No Public Bathroom"

[piccolopat]

I said its not an issue HERE. And this thread is about a store in a rural area. If you have ever been in a rural area you would no there likely is not another bathroom further away.

If I am in the mall, I know which stores have restrooms and where the mall restrooms are. I wouldn't ask the little jewelry storw but would go to sears or wherever the closest one is. At Disney, I know where the restrooms are and will head to the closest one, not ask the CM by the cm only door.

But in a rural store, there may not be another store for a few miles. Or I know close to here there are three little stores grouped together and nothing else nearby. That is a whole diferent situation than a place where you can run next door.

Those places that discourage the use are just as liable for customers going in a stock room as those that say no.

As a customer I don't have a clue whose policies says what but


Oh, come on. I was talking about a small rural store. I seriously doubt they have had lawyers talking about bathroom facilities. Why would one rule apply for one business and another for another business if their employee restrooms are the same?

I never said my child was special. I never said it should be only for my child.

All I am saying is child or adult that has a sudden bathroom emergency should receive some compassion and be allowed to use the facilities. Not saying every child that comes through, not saying every time they are asked. Saying that if a child or adult is obviously in distress, the employee should be able to use a reasonable amount of common sense to decide to make that one exception.

It has nothing to do with anyone being special.

Gee Whiz, I am so glad to live in an area where people have compassion and can see gray areas in every black and white rule.

Gee whiz, I'm traveling down your road and have an emergency need of a bathroom so I knock on your door. Will you let me in?

 

[Laura66]

Yes, I have 3 and we've managed to get through their childhoods without expecting people to make exceptions for them.

Me too!!!!
Even in rural areas - or driving down 77S on the way to Charleston SC. We'd announce "rest stop here and there won't be another for an hour so y'all better give it a go!" And if they were toddlers or just trained we would use the little portable potty we brought along.

 

[Skywalker]

...if they don't and she pees before we get out the door, well, sorry but we are headed out of the store.

Huh? Why are you headed out of the store if she already peed? You're not in a rush anymore then, just being rude and inconsiderate and frankly, kind of disgusting.

... as everyone here is a rule follower, no exceptions allowed EVER

And no, its not that there's no exceptions allowed EVER. Its just that I don't get to decide what exceptions OTHER people will make. I will use my own judgement to make any exceptions to things I am in control of, and others can do the same.

 

[Kbee]

And, btw, I never said I EXPECT anyone to do anything.

Everything you have posted in this thread says otherwise, especially the one where you'd expect the employee to clean up the pee your child left on the floor. Real nice.

 

[luvsJack]

And in the amount of time it took you to try to convince the clerk to allow something s/he already said "no" to, you would have been out of the store. Even if she had said "yes" the second time you asked, if your child couldn't hold it until you got out of the store, she's not going to hold it until you get to the bathroom.

And go where exactly? Again, not talking about a city street or a mall.

The whole thing about cleaning up after the kid came from me responding to someone that said she would hand the customer the cleaning supplies. If that is what she does, she won't get fired for letting someone use the bathroom. She will get fired for being obnoxious to a customer.

Its not something I have to worry about deciding to do, there isn't a store around here that would allow their customer to clean it up. They value the business they have. And quite honestly if it got to that point, which has never happened to me, I would be stunned.

Saying one thing after the question isnt arguing. Its called conversation. Letting the person know its a need. Would it be better to not say anything and then fuss to the manager about the rude clerk who handed me cleaning supplies?

Exceptions are made all the time. The police officer that chooses not to give you a speeding ticket is making an exception. An instructor giving a student a chance to make up work when they missed too many days is making an exception. Its not saying the rule doesn't exist, its simply saying that sometimes exceptions can be made.

 

[luvsJack]

Why wouldn't you help clean it up? Why would you punish the employee? Again back to my disney reference, if your child was sick or an immediate potty emergency came up too far from a public bathroom and a CM wouldn't let you use the employee one right there would you be upset with them? If your child's bodily fluids spewed out because of it would you do something or just walk away because it was there fault for not granting you access to the employee area? If it isn't unreasonable for them to deny you why is is unreasonable for someone else? Either way not trying to help clean up is disgusting.

And in your opinion it wouldn't be against Disney policy for a guest to clean it up?

Our student gets sick and doesn't make it to the bathroom. I should go hunt down cleaning supplies to hand her? Or is that less disgusting for our employee to clean up?

Yall have blown the comment so far out of proportion it is ridiculous. If she handed me cleaning supplies, she would be sadly disappointed. Be nice about it, I will come back after taking care of my child. Be obnoxious and you just may be cleaning it up.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And go where exactly? Again, not talking about a city street or a mall.

Outside. In the rural.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Exceptions are made all the time. The police officer that chooses not to give you a speeding ticket is making an exception. Won't get fired. An instructor giving a student a chance to make up work when they missed too many days is making an exception. Won't get fired. Its not saying the rule doesn't exist, its simply saying that sometimes exceptions can be made.

Neither example is allowing a non-employee to use a portion of a business that is off limits to the general public for legal, safety, or shrinkage reasons.

 

[sam_gordon]

Exceptions are made all the time. The police officer that chooses not to give you a speeding ticket is making an exception. An instructor giving a student a chance to make up work when they missed too many days is making an exception. Its not saying the rule doesn't exist, its simply saying that sometimes exceptions can be made.

No one is saying exceptions are never made. What many people are trying to tell you is sometimes exceptions CAN'T be made. Would you be willing to risk your job to "make an exception"?

Once again... Businesses get to determine their policies. Businesses get to determine if those policies are followed. No one else does.

 

[NHdisneylover]

OP did not say her daughter threw a fit, and I doubt she did, but then again her daughter is apparently so upset that this store will not allow her to use their restroom that she is going to refuse to shop there from now on, even though there is no reason to believe it is otherwise a bad store, and it seems like somewhere particularly convenient for the OP'S daughter along the route.
I think that is a big overreaction and a bit entitled (and people who would be OK with their child peeing in a store and leaving the mess behind if that store does not allow use of their restrooms? Yeah, sorry, I have no words).

We lived in rural New Hampshire when my kids were pretty little. And we traveled a lot. I know how hard it is predicting at times, how hard it is for them to hold it and all the rest. Accidents happened (twice, that I can recall, inside other places and both times I was falling all over myself apologizing and trying to help clean up, etc--never mad that the store did not have a public restroom).

Now we live in Germany, much like the previous Dutch poster said, not that many places have restrooms and those that do generally charge to use them (usually 50 cents, 70 along the highway restops, but you get a voucher for 50 cents if you buy something in the store there). I don't mind paying at all and am happy to see more and more restrooms available. If it is clean and open and where I need it, I am more than happy to pay for the service. Funny though, most of our visitors from the US are appalled that they have to pay. Who is supposed to fund this stuff otherwise?

 

[Kbee]

No one is saying exceptions are never made. What many people are trying to tell you is sometimes exceptions CAN'T be made. Would you be willing to risk your job to "make an exception"?

Once again... Businesses get to determine their policies. Businesses get to determine if those policies are followed. No one else does.

Bingo!

 

[morgan98]

OP did not say her daughter threw a fit, and I doubt she did, but then again her daughter is apparently so upset that this store will not allow her to use their restroom that she is going to refuse to shop there from now on, even though there is no reason to believe it is otherwise a bad store, and it seems like somewhere particularly convenient for the OP'S daughter along the route.
I think that is a big overreaction and a bit entitled (and people who would be OK with their child peeing in a store and leaving the mess behind if that store does not allow use of their restrooms? Yeah, sorry, I have no words).

We lived in rural New Hampshire when my kids were pretty little. And we traveled a lot. I know how hard it is predicting at times, how hard it is for them to hold it and all the rest. Accidents happened (twice, that I can recall, inside other places and both times I was falling all over myself apologizing and trying to help clean up, etc--never mad that the store did not have a public restroom).

Now we live in Germany, much like the previous Dutch poster said, not that many places have restrooms and those that do generally charge to use them (usually 50 cents, 70 along the highway restops, but you get a voucher for 50 cents if you buy something in the store there). I don't mind paying at all and am happy to see more and more restrooms available. If it is clean and open and where I need it, I am more than happy to pay for the service. Funny though, most of our visitors from the US are appalled that they have to pay. Who is supposed to fund this stuff otherwise?

About the pay rest areas and restrooms in Europe... I have been a regular visitor to Europe (Italy and France) since I was 4 and I am 45 now. The number of restrooms and the cleanliness has improved so much over that period of time. I do not care that we need to use some change to pay for a clean rest room.

In the US, we drive from Atlanta to Orlando fairly regularly to visit my MIL. I cannot begin to tell you the number of absolutely disgusting and dirty rest areas and gas station rest rooms I have seen! I always joke with my husband that I never thought I would see the day where the public rest room situation in Italy is better than in the US!

 

[NHdisneylover]

About the pay rest areas and restrooms in Europe... I have been a regular visitor to Europe (Italy and France) since I was 4 and I am 45 now. The number of restrooms and the cleanliness has improved so much over that period of time. I do not care that we need to use some change to pay for a clean rest room.

In the US, we drive from Atlanta to Orlando fairly regularly to visit my MIL. I cannot begin to tell you the number of absolutely disgusting and dirty rest areas and gas station rest rooms I have seen! I always joke with my husband that I never thought I would see the day where the public rest room situation in Italy is better than in the US!

So true. We've found more and more nice ones in cities in Italy and France and Spain every year. We still find many that are a mess along the highway in Italy and in Southern France, unfortunately----I am always so happy to get back to Germany where i can pay for a clean toilet. I really like the system of paying for what you use but getting something nice and clean and well stocked in return.

 

[luvsJack]

No one is saying exceptions are never made. What many people are trying to tell you is sometimes exceptions CAN'T be made. Would you be willing to risk your job to "make an exception"?

Once again... Businesses get to determine their policies. Businesses get to determine if those policies are followed. No one else does.

If I was risking my job by being compassionate, yes I would.


The difference of opinion here many times comes from some that think that rules are rules and there are no exceptions and no gray areas. I don't live that way. Haven't for 51 years do not plan to change now.

Everyone can relate stories and experiences and argue points till the cows come home but everyone's opinion is going to be based on their own experience. I know that here most places will make an exception if they see a need. Most bosses are not tyrants and are not going to fire someone that felt a situation warranted making a decision.

Just like my question about the person bleeding on the sidewalk, some wouldn't break a rule to help them. And if that is ok by them, then I guess its ok. But for me and for most people I know, it just wouldn't be ok for us.

I have made decisions many times that went against the rules. Once locking the door of our office as I was the only one there and a student needed immediate help. Was it against the rules? Yes. Could I have technically been fired? Yes. But this person needed attention and my bosses are the type of people to understand that.

I guess it comes down to whatever helps you sleep at night and for me there has to be some compassion.

And about the cleaning up after my child, for the last time, I was responding to the person who said she would hand the supplies to the parent as though the parent purposely let it happen. I wouldn't leave it to the clerk, but I won't return obnoxius attitude with apologies and falling all over myself.

 

[MIGrandma]

OP did not say her daughter threw a fit, and I doubt she did, but then again her daughter is apparently so upset that this store will not allow her to use their restroom that she is going to refuse to shop there from now on, even though there is no reason to believe it is otherwise a bad store, and it seems like somewhere particularly convenient for the OP'S daughter along the route.
I think that is a big overreaction and a bit entitled (and people who would be OK with their child peeing in a store and leaving the mess behind if that store does not allow use of their restrooms? Yeah, sorry, I have no words).

We lived in rural New Hampshire when my kids were pretty little. And we traveled a lot. I know how hard it is predicting at times, how hard it is for them to hold it and all the rest. Accidents happened (twice, that I can recall, inside other places and both times I was falling all over myself apologizing and trying to help clean up, etc--never mad that the store did not have a public restroom).

Now we live in Germany, much like the previous Dutch poster said, not that many places have restrooms and those that do generally charge to use them (usually 50 cents, 70 along the highway restops, but you get a voucher for 50 cents if you buy something in the store there). I don't mind paying at all and am happy to see more and more restrooms available. If it is clean and open and where I need it, I am more than happy to pay for the service. Funny though, most of our visitors from the US are appalled that they have to pay. Who is supposed to fund this stuff otherwise?

No, my daughter-in-law didn't throw a fit when she was denied the use of the bathroom at the convenience store on her mail route. She simply left the item (s) she was going to purchase on the counter and walked out. Why should she spend her money in a store who wouldn't allow their mail delivery person to use their bathroom? If it is the store's right to refuse bathroom use, it is her right to refuse to spend her money there.

And many people are saying stores can't let customers use the bathroom because they keep stock back there...I've been to many gas stations/convenience stores that have bathrooms available to their customers and they have stock in that same area. Goodness, people steal things right out in the main part of the stores, it doesn't have to be stock that's kept in the back by the bathroom.

 

[luvsJack]

Neither example is allowing a non-employee to use a portion of a business that is off limits to the general public for legal, safety, or shrinkage reasons.

FYI instructors can be fired for not following policy.

 

[declansdad]

Maybe she should have just went out in front of the store, aren't mail carriers allowed to do that? I thought there was a discussion about that on these boards before and some people thought it was ok.

 

[piccolopat]

Outside. In the rural.

Right! There are plenty of bushes in the rural. Our daughter had to use one as a toddler and I had to use a boulder once while hiking in Yosemite.

 

[aaarcher86]

No, my daughter-in-law didn't throw a fit when she was denied the use of the bathroom at the convenience store on her mail route. She simply left the item (s) she was going to purchase on the counter and walked out. Why should she spend her money in a store who wouldn't allow their mail delivery person to use their bathroom? If it is the store's right to refuse bathroom use, it is her right to refuse to spend her money there.

And many people are saying stores can't let customers use the bathroom because they keep stock back there...I've been to many gas stations/convenience stores that have bathrooms available to their customers and they have stock in that same area. Goodness, people steal things right out in the main part of the stores, it doesn't have to be stock that's kept in the back by the bathroom.

I don't understand why people think that just because some stores don't care, all stores shouldn't care?

 

[Hrhpd]

No, my daughter-in-law didn't throw a fit when she was denied the use of the bathroom at the convenience store on her mail route. She simply left the item (s) she was going to purchase on the counter and walked out. Why should she spend her money in a store who wouldn't allow their mail delivery person to use their bathroom? If it is the store's right to refuse bathroom use, it is her right to refuse to spend her money there.

And many people are saying stores can't let customers use the bathroom because they keep stock back there...I've been to many gas stations/convenience stores that have bathrooms available to their customers and they have stock in that same area. Goodness, people steal things right out in the main part of the stores, it doesn't have to be stock that's kept in the back by the bathroom.

Not sure why you think mail carriers deserve different treatment than any other type of worker. They are doing their job, not a favor to the store. Although their job can be difficult and is much appreciated, so are a hundred other jobs.

Stock is much easier to steal when it is in a backroom not being monitored. That should be pretty obvious a distinction than stock in the front of the store.

How many employees were in this rural store? Was there an extra employee available to accompany your DIL to the bathroom and stay there till she was finished? Having to babysit customers in a employees only area takes away from productivity.

The main reason I can see a store insisting on no public bathroom is insurance. It is very possible that their insurance agent looked over the premises and determined that the area the bathroom was in was not in a favorable place to allow customer access and was a liability.

So, the store would have a couple of options. Pay for a much more expensive policy that allowed a public access bathroom to cover the liability or pay for a lesser premium and make the bathroom employees only.

No insurance, no exceptions, period. Not very hard to understand.

There is no gray area, it is very black and white. A customer going in the back is an uncovered liability. So, no exceptions. And the clerk at the front counter doesn't have the authority to make the decision to put the store at a huge financial risk for something that is not life threatening like a potty dance.