I have a friend who thinks that it's inappropriate to use the restroom in a store unless you're a legitimate customer there. She doesn't even think it's OK to go into a store and offer to buy something in exchange for them letting you use the restroom. She thinks that unless you really were a customer there, you shouldn't ask to use their bathroom.
I think she's wrong about that - I think it's perfectly OK to ask to use the restroom in a store if you have to go (especially if you're willing to buy something in return for using their facilities)
Who do you think is right? Is it OK to use the restroom in a store if you're not a customer?
2006-12-13 17:53:10 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Sheriam - you're right, she does have something of a phobia about public bathrooms. She prefers to wait til she gets home if she possibly can
Also, if we're travelling somewhere together and she needs a restroom, she thinks she's "inconveniencing" me if she asks to stop and find a ladies room - she'll try and hold it in until we get to our destination - even though that's really bad for her bladder.
Jennifer and Michelle, I'd stop short of calling my friend an "idiot" - but she does have some funny ideas about things.
2006-12-14 16:57:06 · update #1
I think your friend should hold in her opinion just like she holds in her pee.
Honestly, think about it. Do you really think anyone at a store is paying attention to someone to discreetly comes in and uses the restroom and leaves?
Tell your friend to get over herself and get a life. No one cares about her bathroom habits except for her, and if she is stupid enough to hold her bladder, which is very unhealthy for a woman to do, let her do it.
At the risk of being indiscreet, I will tell you that when I have to really go and have been unable to find a public restroom, I have peed in the woods, on the side of the road, in a bucket, and several times in the men's room because there was no line. No one has ever cared, believe me.
2006-12-13 18:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by No Shortage 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I'd prefer not to, but sometimes you just gotta go! There isn't always a public restroom, and holding it only works up to a certain point. I'd usually buy something small too, but if I were in a big hurry or whatever I might not.
It also makes a difference whether the restrooms are paid or not; if I'm already paying for the use of the restroom, I won't worry about buying something. If it's a free restroom, I probably will.
And I'm a bit puzzled by this:
"She doesn't even think it's OK to go into a store and offer to buy something in exchange for them letting you use the restroom."
If you're offering to buy something, that makes you a customer, right? Maybe your friend just feels uncomfortable using a public restroom even if she is a customer....
2006-12-13 22:39:05 · answer #2 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't consider it RUDE!! Uncomfortable maybe. I have done it many times before. Even with a gas station I feel uncomfortable just walking in straight to the potty and then leaving. However I don't usually buy something to make myself feel better. I think it would a couteous gesture. I kinda feel the same as the majority of people who answered. When nature calls isn't really under our control and can be very unhealthy for anyone to hold their bladder for a long period of time. I have to say what really ruffles my feathers is when you are a REAL customer as opposed to a SYMPATHY customer and you ask to use a restroom and they say that they don't have one. Come on, get real.....you're telling me that you and all of your employees go elsewhere to do your business. I was in a small clothing store once in a mall and there was a girl that come to find out was 10 years old. She went to her father who was in line behind me and said that she needed to use the restroom. He told her to ask the clerk. She did and was told that they didn't have a public facility available. The young girl again insisted that she needed to use the bathroom right away, again she was told none were avaiable. She stepped back with her Dad and within moments was standing in a huge puddle of pee. I guess that's what the clerk gets for not sharing. Guess who cleaned it up....the clerk. She was quick to offer a bathroom after the girl peed all over the floor.....HELLO you're about 2 min too late. So.....if you need to go you need to go. We're all human.
2006-12-13 18:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Tiffany L 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a Long-Term Single Mom (with two disabled children) ... my thoughts on the use of restrooms are that most will not complain -- they would much rather appreciate someone who has a disability or is ill using the Restroom rather than having an "accident" by denying them the use of the facilities.
I would always potty my children before I left anywhere ... but sometimes, things don't work out and the child would need to 'go' -- then I would need to find a safe place to take them in and let them potty.
2006-12-13 18:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by sglmom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most stores don't want you using the restroom if you are not a customer, and have policies to the effect.
However, if I were a store owner, I probably would allow people to use the restroom because then they would think I was nice and return to my store.
The store employees have to clean the restroom, so it's good taste to buy something if you have to use the restroom. But if you ask and they let you use it, it's okay. I generally try to buy something.
2006-12-13 17:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Wow! If you gotta go you gotta go. I had my own business and would allow people to use the restroom. Now if there are illegal activities going on than that is a different story. Has the world become so petty that using the bathroom in a public place become a problem?
2006-12-13 18:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by onebadmedic01 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is perfectly OK to use the public restroom of a store. That is what they are for. It is a public service that they provide.
There is no obligation to buy anything although it is a nice gesture.
Small stores may only have the washroom normally used for staff, in that case ask politely if you may use it and thank them afterwards.
2006-12-13 18:55:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As long as going on the sidewalk is illegal, impolite, or otherwise socially unacceptable, I think the shopkeepers are going to have to let this one go. It may be mildly impolite to walk into a store where you are not a legitimate customer and ask to use the facilities. However, I tend to think the greater gaffe would be for the shopkeeper to refuse the request. This protocol is played out daily in shops everywhere (at least in the US) with the following result:
1) Non-customer asks to use facilities.
2) Shopkeeper says, "Yes."
Very often, etiquette doesn't have to be learnt or questioned. It just happens.
2006-12-13 18:42:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I prefer not to use a restroom in a store unless I am a customer there. I have on trips when" I had to go " used a restroom when not a customer. I try to limit doing this.
2006-12-13 18:02:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your friend really have to go to the bathroom, im sure she would care less if its rude to go into a store and use their facility. Its a far better alternate to using the restroom on herself.
Public bathrooms, unless specified, are open to the public. You shouldn't feel bad about using a restroom that is open for public convenience.
2006-12-13 18:02:41 · answer #10 · answered by angie20k 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋