What is the deal with bathroom attendants?

[MsAmerica]

Most casino's I have been in have rest room attendants. Actually, I remember a time when there was ALWAYS a woman in every bathroom in Disney World when it was just the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (the early years)

Oh the good ole days......

MsA

 

[smkiss02]

What happens when you run out time? Does the door swing open?

I actually just read about a new public toilet in Calgary, AB. I don't think you have to pay but you only get 10 minutes to do your business. After 10 minutes, a full blown alarm goes off and the doors open!

The picture I saw of it..it looked like it was located just on the sidewalk. Imagine being in there past the 10 minute mark and having everyone around see you

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I actually just read about a new public toilet in Calgary, AB. I don't think you have to pay but you only get 10 minutes to do your business. After 10 minutes, a full blown alarm goes off and the doors open!

The picture I saw of it..it looked like it was located just on the sidewalk. Imagine being in there past the 10 minute mark and having everyone around see you

Well, to be fair, in England you can put in more money and get more time.

 

[manning]

Kind of reminds me what Bob the piano player at Riverside says when he gets people get up and participates.

"don't worry about it, you'll never see them again"

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I had a bathroom attendant hold my hair back for me once after I partied a little too hard. I'll be forever grateful.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I went to several countries in Europe one summer while I was in college. We saw lots of bathroom attendants while we were there. One (wish I could remember where it was) didn't have toilet paper in the stalls. You had to tip the lady before she'd give you a few squares.

Lots of interesting toilet styles in Europe too. One was just a hole in the floor with raised places to put your feet. I passed on that one. I've never perfected the peeing without a toilet thing...and it's not something that I really want to work on actually.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I recently was at a conference and in the bathroom there was an attendant sitting in there. A co-worker was all upset because she needed to (well, you know) and she did not want to with this woman sitting in there. I don't blame her! I would be mortified to have to do that knowing someone was just sitting there waiting for you to come out.

So what about you? Would it bug you?

Kristine

Pre-Children I may have hesitated. Post children - everyone has pretty much seen it all, knows whats in it, and it is a normal bodily function. I figure the person kinda knew what they were signing up for when they took the job - scents, sounds, and sights

 

[le_queef]

In many places, if they're doing their job, they're keeping the place clean and equipped which is a real plus at things like fairs, concerts etc.

They're well worth the tip.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Believe it or not, the Wisconsin State fairgrounds have them in every single bathroom. There is always a long line, and the attendant yells to you which stall to go into as they empty. Like you can't see that for yourself! It is absolutely ridiculous. The attendant usually puts a comb and a can of hairspray next to the sink too! I can't imagine anyone actually using them, but that's just me. She always has a tip jar near the door too, stuffed with $1 and $5 billls that she no doubt has placed there herself since I can't imagine anyone tipping her $5.00!

Same here. It keeps that line moving really fast that with so many toilets flushing you can't hear anything anyway. 25cents is the norm tip here. We must be cheap. lol

In a more private bathroom, I would just keep flushing while I did my thing. I do that anyway when other people are in there.

Not a job I would want. Sitting in a restroom all day having to hear & smell everything.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I had a bathroom attendant hold my hair back for me once after I partied a little too hard. I'll be forever grateful.

 

[Imzadi]

Well, to be fair, in England you can put in more money and get more time.

Where's the slot the money goes in? Is it outside the toilet, so you have to pull your pants back up to put money in?

 

[S. C.]

In Jamaica at Dunns River falls there was a bathroom attendant & a tip jar. I washed my hands turned around and there she was handing me paper towel.

 

[Geoff_M]

Believe it or not, the Wisconsin State fairgrounds have them in every single bathroom.

I used to work races at The Milwaukee Mile at the fairgrounds and that was the first place I ever encountered them. There's also a county fair near us that uses attendants. To me it's one step above aggressive panhandling. I don't know if they still do it, but at the WI fairgrounds the attendants always posted signs at the entrance, over every urinal, and on the stalls that reminded you that the attendant paid for all of their cleaning supplies out of their own pocket. I've even seen signs that read "Have you tipped the attendant???" I understand the need to point that out to some folks that might not be aware of the nature of the service, but a simple sign at the entrance or over their TV-tray "station" would suffice. I have a rule: The more signs, the less likely I am to tip.

I also understand the attraction the fair management has to using these attendants. It effectively "out sources" their need for janitorial staff in the bathrooms. All they have to provide is the toilet paper and paper towels and their labor costs are reduced to zero.

 

[fey_spirit]

Oh dear god - now I have to tip bathroom people?! Doesn't anyone just actually pay their own employees anymore?

In many places, if they're doing their job, they're keeping the place clean and equipped which is a real plus at things like fairs, concerts etc.

They're well worth the tip.

 

[fey_spirit]

You mean this isn't even their gainful employment?
Ok, is anyone else thinking about those guys standing on street corners in big cities trying to wash your car window for spare change?

I used to work races at The Milwaukee Mile at the fairgrounds and that was the first place I ever encountered them. There's also a county fair near us that uses attendants. To me it's one step above aggressive panhandling. I don't know if they still do it, but at the WI fairgrounds the attendants always posted signs at the entrance, over every urinal, and on the stalls that reminded you that the attendant paid for all of their cleaning supplies out of their own pocket. I've even seen signs that read "Have you tipped the attendant???" I understand the need to point that out to some folks that might not be aware of the nature of the service, but a simple sign at the entrance or over their TV-tray "station" would suffice. I have a rule: The more signs, the less likely I am to tip.

I also understand the attraction the fair management has to using these attendants. It effectively "out sources" their need for janitorial staff in the bathrooms. All they have to provide is the toilet paper and paper towels and their labor costs are reduced to zero.

 

[Mayl]

Here in NY we have them at upscale resturants, theaters and clubs.

As a male, I like them. They normally have warm towels, mints, etc for you to use also.

No issue with going to do my business with an attendant there. it is a PUBLIC restroom after all, so not sure what people are talking about.

Do you walk in and leave if someone else is in a stall? do you just freeze and pretend to not be there if someone walks in while in the stall?

I just don't get it.

 

[starrzone]

The first time I remember encountering these attendants was at either the Hard Rock Cafe or Planet Hollywood in Orlando. I was 17 and on Spring Break there with my friend. His opinion about them was "I can wipe my own *butt*, thank you very much!".

I agree with the PP that it's a cheap way to "outsource" the janitorial duties. But come on; it's not the same as the sports teams that bag your groceries for a donation. What are people going to do next; want tips for showing me to my table in a restaurant? Or for ringing up my groceries?

I think that the issue is quite different in some countries. I went to a restroom near the subway in Budapest that was really sketchy. They had an old lady at the entrance who would take your money (about 50 cents) and give you a couple of squares of toilet paper! As out tour leader said, "Imagine what the toilets would look like if you DIDN'T have to pay for them". I wonder WHY, other than the outsourcing of janitorial duties, establishments here in North America employ these people?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Okay. Not sure why I opened this thread, and I'm even less sure why I am posting on it! First of all, bathroom attendants USED to be the norm at nidce public washrooms. Even the larger department stores used to have them, and they were a given in upscale restaurants. Heck, even the restrooms at the baeball stadium here still has them, but they aren't the classy kind who hand you towels, but more there to clean up after sloppy ball fans.

It wouldn't bother me in the least to take care of my "bathroom duties" in ANY public restroom whether or not there is an attendant. If you gotta go, you gotta go! Would you "wait" unti everyone else was out of the room to do that? It's a toilet....with toilet things happening in it. If it bothers you, how do you ever go anywhere in public? Disney World would be a major problem, because those bathrooms are rarely empty!

 

[ilisao]

I recently was at a conference and in the bathroom there was an attendant sitting in there. A co-worker was all upset because she needed to (well, you know) and she did not want to with this woman sitting in there. I don't blame her! I would be mortified to have to do that knowing someone was just sitting there waiting for you to come out.

So what about you? Would it bug you?

Kristine

No, it doesn't bug me. A bathroom is for going to the bathroom. Everyone does it. I don't understand the problem with someone knowing you are going relieving yourself in the bathroom.

Bathroom attendants keep the place stocked and clean. I really don't think they give a hoot as to how long someone is on the toilet or what they are doing.

 

[Geoff_M]

You mean this isn't even their gainful employment?
Ok, is anyone else thinking about those guys standing on street corners in big cities trying to wash your car window for spare change?

The only difference between the guys on the street corner, from the ones I've encountered, and the attendants is that the attendants have permission to be there from the fairgrounds operators. But it's my understanding that they are not paid anything to be attendants, provide their own cleaning supplies, and are allowed to ask for tips as their means of income. My only real objections are: 1) as a PP said, I think it should be up to the grounds management to clean and stock the bathrooms on their own dime, 2) many of the attendants are overly agressive about the tipping. My only other complaint is that, apparently feeling the need to demonstrate that they're doing something so people will tip them, I often walk out of the bathroom with a headache from their overuse of perfume-based air fresheners.