Should Banks Provide Public Toilets / Washrooms …

Excellent point!

@Gita17112016 They could add a restroom outside the facility perhaps but I would not feel safe using it because someone could stalk you (seeing you go to the bank, or leaving the bank then using the restroom). The airport there are security checks whereas the bank there isn't. The airport has to have washrooms, bathrooms because there are tons of people passing through the airport each day. Yes, threat can happen even if its a small bathroom. One could bring in weapons to a bank.

It would depend if you are think of washrooms as in the airport. But here a 4ft x 4 ft toilet cubicle is quite enough and how much of a threat can this be? Also the location can be places as far away and with the presence of a guard or toilet assistant. That can minimize security threats.

@Gita17112016 Actually it doesn't matter to us in Singapore considering that most of the banks have branches in shopping malls and there are toilets in shopping malls

Yes, the lines are very long and the waiting is up to 6 hours on bad day in this particular bank. But the cashiers move at top speed. It's just that there is so much people. Another branch is needed or at least an extension. In TT every food outlet, mall, restaurant, bars and others all have toilet facilities. It is required by Law. However this did not include banks...I don't know why? All other places dealing with the public have facilities that is inspected every year in order to renew license or get a food badge. I think she had no respect because SHE was treated without respect. She did ask to use a washroom and was refused. Ha Ha You think you can ask her to mop up? You don't know Trini. She was being disrespectful DELIBERATELY. She was protesting. Notice how the bank did not ask her to clean up? Notice how people pretended they did not see? Notice how security did not touch her? Notice how the cashier attended to her when she returned to the line? What would have happened if the Bank had insisted she had clean up? She would have created a uproar (the Police Office was just next door ...90 feet away), the press would have debate it, the people (Trinis) would have defended her) and hopefully government would have passed a new law for Banks! Never a dull day here

@garymarsh6 You are so right Gary, to find a decent toilet in Italy is very hard. If in need while you visit a city, do what I do. Check where there is a very good hotel, go inside and ask where is the bar... near the bar there is always a toilet. You do not need to order something.

Haha but in Italy they toilets are not nice at all, hardly any with toilet seats or doors that close. Thank heavens you live in Switzerland Anna!

@LadyDuck Oh dear, never knew about this aspect of Italy. Glad I read these conversations.

@Gita17112016 Well that is one of the problems! How do you deposit cash via an internet connection?? I suppose ultimately they want to do away with all cash transactions if possible!!

@Gita17112016 Except for small purchases cash transactions are becoming a thing of the past in the UK. Buying a drink in the local pub can be paid for by contact-less card payment or even using a smartphone. If any tradesman asks for cash then they are immediately under suspicion of not declaring the payment and hence not paying taxes on it!!

I don't know what comes to mind...progressive or regressive. I supposed high tech is doing away with Banks. Here we have online banking too but hardly anyone is using it...although customers are being forced to do so. Many people do not trust the technology. Also, to deposit actual monies you still have to go to banks. I am one of the older ones who prefer to go to a bank although I hate the traffic the banks have.

This Bank this not allow the customer to use the restroom even though she did ask and said she had an emergency. I think she peed on the floor as a matter of protesting . I too am for Banks to offer toilet facilities to their paying customers.

@Gita17112016 Good for her! The bank was inhumane!

@DianneN Most of us thought so too. She was a brave woman though (or mental at least)

Even a 4ft x 4 ft cubicle toilet? How much of a safety threat will that pose? And you can have security do a check daily. I think it is time to rethink the issue by Banks.

@JAWwriting All views are welcome...I am not easy to offend. I appreciate your point of view but I can understand if you are visualizing an 'airport washroom'. And i do appreciate the fact that banks need to be on high alert security . But the times are changing. And there are solutions that can be implemented. Through this discussion, readers are saying that in India, banks do provide washroom services. What is different here? In T&T, ATM are blocked off at the entrance or in the lobby area...or to the side of the Bank building. Washrooms can be the same too...or placed totally outside the Bank but easily accessible. Even the car park is okay. I am not saying it has to be inside the Banks...but I am saying it should BELONG to the Banks. And made easily accessible! That is my point. A good engineer will quickly solve the 'security' problem. Hell, even I can do that!

@Gita17112016 The issue is security losing track of a person because they hung out in the bathroom until perfect time or to hide heavy weapontry above celling panels or in the wall behind toilet or sink pieces at a time then go in bathroom and put the weapon together for robbery. Since it is illegal to have cameras in a bathroom the bank could not monitor the area properly. For everyones saftey plan a bathroom break before going to the bank. Sorry not being rude it is just a matter of which policy is best for the most people.

I've never stood in line more then a few minutes. Things must be very different there as she would be arrested here if she did that. If the police catch you urinating anywhere outside even it's considered public indecency and you will be fined.

I cannot do that myself. The act was repulsive, but was she wrong? No one arrested her (the police station was 90 feet away) , no one rebuked her, no one threw her out (security was present) , no one dare NOT to serve her, no one called her actions into questions (not even the Press). She went to the counter did her business and then calmly left. It was a a single action that protested all on its own. 99% of the people criticise the Bank. It raised the issue as to what is the responsibility of banks to its customers. The woman was standing in the line over 2 hours and she did ask to use a washroom which the Manager refused. Is it time for Banks to have washrooms then and should there be a law to enforced it?

@shaggin I have stood in line in Banks for half a day. The best strategy is to take a family member with you to 'hold a place in line'. That's why I am asking if Banks have a responsibility to provide basic amenities for its customers standing in line for so long. I have not heard of any one being arrested here for urinating anywhere in TT (mostly men are culprits not women) although I am sure there is a law for public indecency. If that woman was arrested I am sure there was going to be a huge outcry at the police. In many ways she has been a 'victim' of Bank policy. How hard was it to allow her to use the employees toilet? And the police would not have 'fined' her. They would 'warn her'. And the politicians would have tried to 'teach her' correct behavior. And no, I am not kidding you...TT have very lenient approach to social ill problems. If she was found to have 'mental problems' she would be treated for it. So you see, the 'woman's action' was not the issue...it is Bank refusal to acknowledge that it has not live up to its responsibilities for basic human rights... while it gross millions in profits (which is announced to the public) every year.

@Gita17112016 It is a good place to visit and I love it here.

Oh, it sounds very civilized. Canada, okay I'll note that.

@1hopefulman

@Gita17112016 Actually it is public itself, banks have competition too, and if citizen get angry, then banks will be out of business. Public toilet are outside; used only by very small branches. Normal branches have toilets inside branch.

You are so lucky. We have all banks here not providing washrooms for the public and I think if you asked you are not allowed employees washrooms. Was the public toilet inside the banks? That sounds very risky.

@yugocean It is strange that you say 'if citizens get angry ... banks will be out of business'! Ha! if only. Because of the Government, banks have a strangle hold over us. today. You can't have a government job without a bank account number. You have to submit banks statement for anything you are doing, including passports. Credit cards and such are linked to bank accounts etc. So where to go? We have about 4 different type of Banks in TT, each worse than the other. Banks will only provide toilets if it is a government law.

Agreed that that is a possibility. But the obvious solution is to but a guard in front of the one room toilet and have periodic checks. Toilets are not fancy here...an 4ft x 4 ft room, 1 toilet 1 toilet holder, 1 dustbin, 1 mirror, 1 facesink and 1 tap and 1 door. How threatening can this be? Nothing illegal ...everything natural, I assure you!

@Gita17112016 Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you really have to go and resort to asking a restaurant or maybe a hair salon if you can use their bathroom, knowing it's for customers only, but they will turn you away, even though it is sort of an emergency. Have a heart!

@lovebuglena But would it hurt to have Banks provide a washroom or even a cubicle toilet?

Exactly! the rational of drinking more liquids before using the washroom is simply ridiculous. Here, you can use a washroom without buying something at any food place. So we are a bit better there. Banks deal with the public and a lot of people are senior citizens and I think it is time they provide toilets and re think their policies. I find it strange too, that Government has not intervened. Maybe the Banks just need some bad publicity. Notice no Trinidadian condemned this woman or her actions...although none will do as she did. As statements go, it was a powerful one!

@Gita17112016 Yes they do Gitara.

@Hannihar Relly? Which country is this?

Do banks where you live have washrooms available to the public?

In this particular Bank the waiting in line is about 2 hours and at the paper-work counter 2-4/6 hours. There are no chairs to wait only standing room and long lines. If you leave you have to rejoin the line at the back. On an exceptionally good day you can get through within 30 minutes providing your transactional business is straightforward. There are not really any Gov't public toilets nearby here but the fast food places are a good quarter mile away. As shocking as the event was it did raise a social issue. Is it time for banks to have toilet facilities? I vote a big yes!

@Gita17112016

That's the same here. But the banks profit is in billion of dollars when they declare it at the end of the year. Also some banks here do community projects so you'll think putting a washroom could well be afforded.

@Gita17112016 Yes, there are in most banks.

@sheetalnr Then you are fortunate. So far only in India this has happened.

Thank you. Do Banks in India provide toilet facilities?

Indeed I do so agree. And they should also give thought to provide a toilet to their many valued customers!

I believe the law in PA (not sure in all the U.S.) is you only have to provide a bathroom if you provide food such as resturants etc

@shaggin There Law is the same here too...and public places too (Government Courts and offices have public toilet). But for some reason the Banks got exempted even the make the most amount of money yearly in profits...sometimes billions of dollars.

@ Plethos. Agreed. There is nothing wrong in recognizing that the customers have needs too.

The auto correct again...I typed ...most

@responsiveme Do Banks have washrooms in India?

What post?

@Gita17112016 Very true!

@FayeHazel

I feel so too. After all it is the customers who help them make a profit!

A luxury item, my friend. Trinis hardly drink coffee. that's more of a upper class thing. We'll just be happy with washrooms.

@Gita17112016 Oh haha