Family Restrooms

I wouldn't think much of that first older guy. It's possible that when he needed to go, the mens restroom may have been too long or whatever - so he decided to use the family one - and perhaps at that time no one was using it so he thought it was ok. But that second guy I would have an issue with - how rude of him to try to take cuts when I'm sure it was obvious that you guys were there first! Not with a family restroom, but often I would use the handicap stall in the womens restroom because I had a stroller with me, along with my little daughter. She was in the potty training stage, and I had to take the stroller in with me as I had personal belongings in it - can't do it in a normal stall. Well, it took a while one time, but we got out - I didn't think anything of it. I didn't know, but this woman was waiting outside the stall and she got very upset with me. I guess she was handicapped - and she was yelling at me that didn't I know that this stall was reserved for HANDICAPPED people. Well, yes, I knew, but at the time, there was no one in the restroom when we got in - let alone barely anyone in the store - so I didn't think anything of it. It's not like she was in back of me in line for me to have known - otherwise of course I would have let her go in there. It was obvious I had a little one and stroller - but wasn't understanding of that - so what can I say. I love family restrooms if places have that!! Some of them are really nice!

Meeras, Welcome to Mylot! I've never come across that problem. I will say that it sounds very rude. A "shy bladder" is hardly an excuse for cutting off someone and especially if regular bathrooms were just a few feet away and rather than use those, he was willing to walk to the front of the store to use the other family bathroom? People are strange, heh?

You were there first, no one should cut you off. I actually am pleased to see these family friendly rest rooms. I know that some like to use them like handicapped stalls because they are larger and easier to move around in, but families should come first. Just as the handicapped should get first priority on a handicapped stall. My experience was positive, but it might have been a problem with you. I have worked with the adult disabled off and on for a long time. We took a group to the public pool. I was escorting a person with MS, in a wheelchair. By being able to use that room I could help her with her toileting needs and help her get her swim suit properly adjusted, without demeaning her. I had a nightmare of a time when I took her to a concert at our State Fair Grounds as the handicapped stall door opened into the stall and blocked the wheelchair from going along side the toilet. There happened to be an attendant, and she helped me help my client so I did not literally drop her. I guess this is to say that there needs to be a lot of thought in how these "comfort stations" are set up. I am glad that there are at least some family restrooms for you to take Meera into.

I have never experienced it first hand but I have seen a family waiting outside of one for a while and a single person comes out. It should be kept for which it was meant, a family. Its true that children cannot wait like that. The one that tried cutting you off seeing you have a child with you is incredibly rude! I cannot believe the nerve some people have. Common sense tells us let the child go first, or better yet use the correct bathroom that you should be using! That guy should have went to the mens restroom.

We don't really have Family restrooms, here in our country, or not that I know of. But similar issues happen with reserved restrooms for pregnant women, senior citizen and parents with kids. These cubicles are supposedly kept vacant for the mentioned users. But, sometimes, if not properly supervised, regular users would line up for it, because its more convenient. Then, the intended users would have to wait for their turns and hesitate to take their right on the priority given just to avoid trouble.

Not exactly the same, but I've seen men in the women's restroom. I kind of freaked out. I mean, it should be... private or something, because who knows what can happen in a restroom (like a door not working, and a man opening the door and seeing a woman semi-naked...)... and they don't seem to care and take others' opinions into consideration... and they don't even ask if it's okay, just go in (if they ask, and all the women are okay with it, that's fine)... just because there were two more men waiting in line at the men's one. Some people are just too comfortable and lazy.

Though I didn't experienced similar incidents, there is a general behaviour that we should act wisely and nicely considering the surrundings. If he could manage a common place and look for a better alterntive, such situations can be easily manage. Any way, we shold understand that some people are NOT so bothered about what is happening around.