Do You Hate Using A Public Toilet?

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

That's what I mean about standards slipping. I very rarely see toilet liners but use tissue instead. It's all very basic stuff but you would be surprised at how commonplace these problems are. I would say the worsed toilets are at those "Factory Outlet" places, Service Stations on motorways and Railway Stations.

2 people like this

liquorice

@liquorice (3887)

•

12 Jan 10

I've only ever seen toilet liners in the US, and in one place in Australia. The UK don't seem to have caught onto them yet. They seem like a good idea, but probably not very environmentally sound! The best toilet cleaning idea I saw recently was in a public toilet in Germany. You press a button next to the seat, and the whole seat turns slowly round so that each bit of it passes under a stream of disinfectant that sprays from somewhere. It was so clever!! (And also a bit of a shock, because I thought it was the button to flush the toilet, lol!

)

1 person likes this

Always smiling

@allknowing (135331)

• India

13 Jan 10

But does the disinfectant keep the seat wet is what one should see. And this thing about the complications around toilets ask me. Every country I visited I had to learn a new art to my embarrassment. Now this button that you thought was to flush, I am not surprised. I have come across frightening and never seen before concepts!

1 person likes this

robertx

@robertx (150)

• Romania

12 Jan 10

I try not to visit public restrooms as much as possible. We all know most reasons why we should try to avoid them. But I'm here to say two years ago I visited Germany, and I just had to use such service... I must say those guys don't have public toilets as we know them, but "rocket science". Everything is shiny clean and tidy and if u never experienced such thing, you kind of forget why you are there, it is that impressive. Another weirdness is that they pay you to use their public service, and as far as I was able to dig around the matter, they recycle our deeds and make a lot of money from it, unlike everyone else who just throws the stuff, and does it God knows where... making more crap and polution. Of course to avoid cheating the system, you are not paid more then what you give. They have an entry wich looks mostly like that of any subway station, in wich you deposit a 0,5 eur coin, and you get back a bill, wich is worth redeeming the very same amount. You can then use it to any outlets they have whenever you need to purchase anything. They also had liquid soap and warm air dryer for hands, but I suppose those are more common these days. That recycle thing is amazing. For me, that was unheard of, until then.

1 person likes this

health

public restroom

public toilet

robertx

@robertx (150)

• Romania

12 Jan 10

You'd love it there. Most of us would. I especially admired the fact many of them still use bicycles extensively. At times you'll see more often parking spots for those then for cars... Its not only very healthy for the individual, but for their entire comunity. Yet yes, they do have cars as well, and more importantly here, they have good roads for cars. Its a pleasure to drive through. And speaking of health, I think the way they preserve and expand their green space is amazing. Now I won't talk about replacing trees, or planting more, or some other stuff, wich supposedly everyone else does, but the way they prepare fertilizing beds for plants, in many places in wich otherwise, the concrete jungle should prevent anything to grow. They enclose a place and put a lot of weired stuff in it, like wood remains and other things, and just let rain and nature take it away. Then after a year or two, they may plant whatever they want in those pre arranged places. They'll also keep the older plants happy, providing them same stuff. Unlike most others who just keep moving plants around, and replace them after they die...

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

12 Jan 10

Firstly, welcome to MyLot! Wow, that's amazing what you've just commented on there. I always knew the Germans were squeeky clean but I didn't realise to what extent. Let's all move there NOW lol.

1 person likes this

littleone3

@littleone3 (2063)

•

11 Jan 10

Yes I do especially the ones in our local park as they are always filthily and usually flooded so I tend to avoid them. I would rather let my children pee in a bush then go into them toilets. They were also well know for having perverts hanging around in them especially the gents so I would never allow my sons go into them on their own I would much rather take them into the ladies with me. But in our local shopping centers the toilets are well looked after and kept very clean so I have no objections to using them.

1 person likes this

toilets

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

26 Feb 13

It also happens sadly even here in the US too Janey. If I know a place is iffy in any way I will not use it as usually in a fairly good sized mall there are clean womens rest rooms. But what I liked in the bus station in Angeles there are women attendants that see to it the women's stalls are really very clean and all have paper seat covers available. also you are handed a wash cloth and hand towel both freshly laundered when you come out., I have never seen this anywhere else here in the US. That was a Greyhound bus depot too. There were two incidents of women being molested in a TrailWays bus Depot so I never ever went into them at all.

Ambitiouslyleiah

@Ambitiouslyleiah (591)

• United States

11 Jan 10

I know what you mean... A lady got raped and murdered at park near by. Some weirdo was hiding in the bathroom! I applaud you for being cautious of the bathrooms at parks!

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

That is so sad that the toilets are undesirable (to put it mildly) in your local park. Ours aren't very good either, to be honest. And as for the rape thing; a 13 year old girl was actually raped in a public toilet IN A SUPERMARKET here in Carlisle. I mean; what's the world coming to?

1 person likes this

Hazelrose

@Hazelrose (2179)

• Philippines

11 Jan 10

Hi janey1966,Yes,i hate using public toilet.That's why before leaving the house i used to go to CR first.As much as i can i dont want to enter the public toilet,Because most of it is so dirty and i can't imagine it' really smells bad..Any way,Now a days,there were public Toilet that maintain it's cleanliness,Mostly in the terminals.Good Luck!

1 person likes this

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

26 Feb 13

hi janey I did not know either so asked someone and it means comfort room odd name for something not usually v

ery comfortable at all.

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

Many thanks for your comment. Forgive my ignorance but can you tell me what CR is please?

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

26 Feb 13

I thought Comfort Room and er..Toilet would amount to the same thing..but there again..I have heard the term 'comfort break' before now, usually in US films lol.

i_am_moosie

@i_am_moosie (62)

•

11 Jan 10

Mostly I am OK with public toilets, so long as they are not REALLY bad. And I always carry antibacterial gel that I can use on my hads afterwards... But something that has put me offrecently is at work. My office is right opposite the ladies toilet here and given that I can hear what everyone else is doing... That means they can hear me! I don't want that!!! So now I amke the effort to go to the toilets in the reception area as I know they are far enough away from where people are working!

1 person likes this

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

26 Feb 13

but to me I would think what would be a whole lot more embarrassing is to wet yourself and everyone smell you so even though they can hear us its best to get to the rest rooms before our bladders do us in.Like in everything else common sense should rule. Going to the restroom is a natural thing all human beings do so why be so darned embarrassed

about it. I must be the odd one here.,

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

26 Feb 13

By Law toilets should be away from public areas in the workplace but, invariably, they are not, due to space constraints. That's the point I was trying to make there..as offices tend to be a mix of both men and women. The fact that women's toilets are by an office (predominantly) full of men, isn't a good move, in my view. Personally, I would much prefer to find an alternative..preferably away from an office and down the corridor. Timing is the key.

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

Yes, I've experienced that too. In fact, I have been known to go to the very large, clean disabled toilet in a the workplace as opposed to a dirtier, smaller version for everyone else. Why the same standards cannot be set for both loos is a mystery to me. Another place I worked at had the ladies toilets right next door to the office...and the office was full of men! Fortunately, most of them were out all day but I do know what you mean, it's embarrassing having everyone listen to you in the bathroom! Architects don't think of these important things when designing buildings!

1 person likes this

mipen2006

@mipen2006 (5528)

• Australia

12 Jan 10

Hi Janey, I have just driven aound Victoria, Australia with my Thai wife, and she is very impressed with the quality of the public toilets here. In Thailand the only ones I use, except in an emergency, are in shopping centers.

1 person likes this

australia

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

12 Jan 10

That's nice! It's good to know that all is not lost in the toilet world lol.

1 person likes this

lordwarwizard

@lordwarwizard (35747)

• Singapore

12 Jan 10

Hi Janey, Not me. Over here, the cleanliness of toilets is thankfully relatively alright. Most of them are decently clean enough. Especially if they are located in "posher" places like shopping malls, they are usually (not always but usually) cleaner. Anyway when I am outside and mama nature calls, one can't afford to be choosy lolz. That said, I try to avoid doing big business out of home of course... though if Papa calls, it's hard to deny him too.

1 person likes this

toilet

lordwarwizard

@lordwarwizard (35747)

• Singapore

12 Jan 10

Lol come on over haha.

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

12 Jan 10

I want to visit Singapore even more now!

2 people like this

dolce_vita78

@dolce_vita78 (8062)

• Philippines

11 Jan 10

Hi Janey1966! As much as possible, I do not want to use the public CR. Most of the public toilets here in our country are unhygienic. They are dirty and really smells bad.

1 person likes this

ewe

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

I'm slowly beginning to realise that this is a worldwide problem and you do the right thing not using them if they are so bad my friend.

1 person likes this

p1kef1sh

@p1kef1sh (45681)

•

11 Jan 10

I share your dismay. What I don't understand is just why so much toilet paper has to be liberally strewn around the toilets. Is someone wrapping them up as a present, because if they are they don't seem to make a very good job of it. Also, and I hate to be vulgar, but if you poo, flush the loo! Wait until it's gone too. if it doesn't, flush again but don't leave it for others to sit in. Just why do people feel it necessary to smear it all around the seat too? Personally I'd not want to put my little derriere on a public loo for fear of what has been parked there previously. I entirely accept that people use the toilet for very intimate purposes, but we don't all have to see what they are! Those "So was the Titanic" machines. We know what they're for, good for you for using them, but PLEASE don't leave them lying round the loo floor. When I say "you" of course I mean folk in general not YOU! Happy wiping or something. Sorry, that's a bit gross. Thanks for the rant. LOL.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (47137)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

12 Jan 10

Something unsinkable? Or just unthinkable...

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

12 Jan 10

I have no idea what "So Was The Titanic" machines are, do tell!

ddhawkins63

@ddhawkins63 (682)

• United States

12 Jan 10

I absolutely hate using public toilets. And it's not that women miss the toilet. It's that they don't want to sit down on it and they get the seat all nasty. It's pretty gross and disgusting in the women's bathrooms. I bet it is even worse than the men's rooms. I only use public toilets when I truly, absolutely, without a single doubt can't hold it any longer. If I can avoid it, I will at all costs!!

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

12 Jan 10

Before starting this discussion I never even realised that there are many women out there who refuse to sit on the toilet seat. I had no idea that was happening! What I can't understand is, invariably those women are more likely to "have an accident" so - if that was me - I'd wipe it off the seat. Doesn't take long and I would hate if the next lady in the queue went in the cubicle and realised it was me who had made the mess. I'd be so embarrassed!

happy6162

@happy6162 (3001)

• United States

14 Jan 10

I do not like using public toilets but sometimes it can not be help and you just have too. If the place is clean I will use it but if it is dirty I will try to fine another one close by that I hope is clean and use that one.

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

15 Jan 10

Or come home and hope you're in time (like I do, quite a lot). In fact, I tend to go before I go out and then again when I come home. It's like a ritual!

1 person likes this

Ambitiouslyleiah

@Ambitiouslyleiah (591)

• United States

11 Jan 10

I think women miss because they are trying not to touch the seat and are standing over it... haha... but for the women doing this... If you get it on the seat aren't you getting it on yourself too? I usually try to go to the cleaner establishments to use the bathroom in public and put down t.p down on the seat or a liner (if provided)

1 person likes this

mens ladies clean public toilets

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

Exactly! It's making me ill thinking about it and I'll be starting the tea soon lol.

1 person likes this

adamc151

@adamc151 (476)

•

11 Jan 10

Well i suppose its better for us men who don't have to actually touch the toilet seat unless we want a number two. And so many men just pee on the seat and up the walls it looks like it. So perhaps for that reason ladies toilets are a lot cleaner (although i don't know if they are, how would i). They perhaps appreciate that they have to be kept clean :)

1 person likes this

@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

26 Feb 13

What I h ate the most is going in and havin to take the last stal lolnly to see someone d id not bother to flush after both number one and two also.yuck. I have often gone to some other public restroom t find one where people are not lazy and do flush and do not wet on the seats either.Seems like women are either very dirty or very clean.I do vote for clean. I loved the sign in our doctors restrooms that said "do not be lazy and pee on the seats as you would not surely do that at home. Its very unsanitary Ladies " signed The Doctors!!"

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

Women do appreciate that toilets have to be kept clean which is why I cannot understand why some of them behave differently to how they would do so at home. It really is a mystery to me!

1 person likes this

jhenn22

@jhenn22 (1242)

• Philippines

11 Jan 10

as much as possible i don't like to use public toilets. It's safer to use toilets at home than using public toilets because you don't know who are using those toilets and they might have diseases.

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

That's very true. The only time I use toilets when I'm shopping is when I'm with Mum (she lives away) but when I'm on my own I go to Town, get what I want and come straight home again...and the first thing I do is go to my OWN toilet lol.

unique16

@unique16 (1531)

• United States

11 Jan 10

Hello Janey1966, Oh how I could write about this issues for females. Yes, we do like clean toilets because that is one area in my home that has to be clean. The germs and god know what else is on them when they are public....yukky. From gas stations to in restraurants in the malls. I wish people flushed more. Are that much in hurry or that lazy as group. The sinks can be dirty too. Sometimes lack of towels really annoys me too. Soemtime I see daipers in the toilet. There are trashcans in most places why do they feel they have flush them ands clogg up the toilet and tampons too. They say ahve notices on the restrooms not to do that. I always put a layer of toilet paper on seat and then go and wash my hands with soap. Now sometimes the soap dispencer in emtpty then what arte suppose to do. I do not always carry with me in my purse the hand sanatizers... But I think I will carry that around with me more. Awesome questions. I know janitors are busy but I would hope they take pride in the home and relfect back to public restrooms. Have a great day Sincelrey unqiue16

1 person likes this

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

Thanks very much for your response. So this problem obviously isn't confined to the UK by the looks of it

I've noticed something else with public toilets too...especially in pubs..NO HOT WATER to wash your hands with. Now, that I cannot stand, cold water! Next time it happens to me I'm going to complain about it to management.

chikahdorah

@chikahdorah (269)

• Philippines

12 Jan 10

I am not picky. As long as public toilets could help, I would keep on using them when necessary. The government had fund them for the us people. We should at least use them properly. They are actually helpful. Some are just messy and smelly. But when you feel like you can't hold on you bladder anymore, you wouldn't think again but to use tha toilet.

1 person likes this

Gomer Magtibay

@magtibaygom (4858)

• Philippines

11 Jan 10

It depends, because there are public toilets that are well-managed, while there are some that are rotten. What I hate in public toilets are, there are some care-takers who usually demand I should leave my shoes or slippers outside the toilet before I enter. Oh, yuck! That's very unacceptable to me! They thought their toilet is much cleaner than the sole of my shoes... So they demanded them be removed while entering their so called "most holy place"...

1 person likes this

rude toilet caretakers

public toilet cleaning bathroom

@Janey1966 (24170)

• Carlisle, England

11 Jan 10

How odd! I've never heard of having to take one's shoes off before going to the loo. It is a logical argument you come out with against taking your shoes off too.

1 person likes this

tap0991

@tap0991 (2766)

• United States

11 Jan 10

yea i dont really like public toilets. my parents always told me to cover the seat with toilet paper before I sit on one. Being a guy has its advantages though, you only have to sit down 1 time a day minimum. So less annoyance than women but still have some. I hate it when the toilet isnt flushed as well. It is really annoying.

1 person likes this

stand87

@stand87 (664)

• Bulgaria

11 Jan 10

I don't like using public toilets, but when I need I have no choice. Sometimes these toilets look goos, sometimes they don't. Usually the toilets in hotels and restaurants are well cleaned and look well. But there are toilets in clubs or pubs in awful condition. I can't really imagine a manager of such place who just don't care about the toilet in the club he's managing! There are people that don't prefer a place just because of the toilet there.

1 person likes this