How much do you give to the bathroom dude?
By Chapman15
@Chapman15 (1492)
United States
January 13, 2007 2:28pm CST
Last night I went out to some bars with friends, and in both of the places we went there were bathroom attendants... It's funny how when there's some guy there that hands you a paper towl to wash up, you feel that you have to tip, atleast I feel I have to! I took a cigarette too, but all I had was a $5 bill on me so I just gave it to him... I know I shouldn't be smoking, but I'll have a couple everytime I go out drinking eventhough I quit just over a year ago...
Anyways, how much should you tip the bathroom guy? I don't really see him helping you out all that much! Handing you a paper towl, wow, thanks man here's some money! Does the attendant bring all that stuff from his home? They always have an assortment of colognes and cigarette's to choose from!?!
8 people like this
47 responses
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I see, so you wouldn't like to have an attendant because you don't like the eyes on you? Or maybe you don't want to tip him lol?!?
2 people like this
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Speakin from a women bathroom point of view. When I go out in the women bathroom at some of the places I go, they have everything from papertowels to personal hygiene items. perfume you name it these bathroom attendants have it. Normally If i get something off her little table she has set up which has everything you could possibly imagine, I will tip her 2.00 other than that if I'm just gettin a paper towel to wash my hands I can do it myself. Thanks for the kindness, but that's something I can do by myself...
2 people like this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
That's a good way to do it! I just feel the piercing eyes as I leave the bathroom lol...
1 person likes this
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
14 Jan 07
HAHAHAHA see the piercing eyes don't bother me one bit...The towels are free...lol lol I can get it on my own. Now if I need a mint from your table or bascially something that is not normally in the bathroom, yes I can see tipping them
2 people like this
@koikoikoi (1246)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I don't tip no one. That is why they have a job. I'm not going to waste my mom when I can barely get by. Bathroom "assistant", barber, limo driver, the hotel guys, and so much to tip. I don't tip no one and they should get use to it.
2 people like this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Ouch! Nothing, I guess I just know how it was when I had tip jobs in school and how much I appreciated what they gave me! I guess it goes with that saying "give and you shall recieve".
@guitarkidwr (224)
• United States
13 Jan 07
I agree with you. I don't really get why they even have bathroom attendents to begin with. Handing you a paper towel really isn't a bid deal at all. In fact, it can be sort of awkward if the guy is just constantly in the bathroom. I guess you should tip him around a dollar, not much though.
2 people like this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Yeah, that sounds about right... Damn, I wish I had some ones when I was in the bathroom last night lol!
@Gigglygrrl (362)
• United States
13 Jan 07
The clubs in Chicago and New orleans used to have attendants. It can be kind of nice to get some mints or refresh your perfume or cologne. Grab a cig or whatnot. I would say between
$1-$5 is appropriate depending on what you use. I am sure your tip was appreciated.
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I feel for those workers, because if it was flipped, I wouldn't want to tell my friends I was a bathroom attendant lol!
@emsr2d2 (60)
•
13 Jan 07
I'm one of those people that doesn't pay these people anything. I only pay for a service that I have specifically sought out - ie I will pay someone to do something that I personally cannot do myself for one reason or another. There is nothing in a washroom that I cannot do myself, especially picking up a paper towel!
If there is a cleaner in there, mopping and cleaning I would consider tipping them as they are keeping it clean and nice for everyone, and I wouldn't be doing that myself.
But the bathroom attendant! That's just job creation - I didn't ask them to hand me a paper towel, I didn't need them to do it, so I certainly won't be railroaded into giving them money!
2 people like this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Yeah, I usually give them a couple bucks the first time, and don't give them anything for the rest of the night... I also try to chat with them a bit, and I actually know some of them by face to the places that I frequently go, so I feel bad not giving them anything!
2 people like this
@princess07031980 (5412)
• United States
14 Jan 07
That is an actual job position? Wow, I must be sheltered because I have never heard of such a thing!!!
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
It's true, I've run in to them from time to time and it's always a bit awkward!
@mkirby624 (1598)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I've never been in a bathroom w/ an attendant, but I'm a woman so I don't see why we would need them. I would be extremely uncomfortable if I were a bathroom attendant. What is their purpose, really? It's not that hard to get your own paper towel.
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Yeah, it's pretty tough to get that paper towl, I mean what if you slip on the water dripping off your hands lol!
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
YEah, I think they are supposed to keep it in order, they also help with the whole line part to... NO CUTTERS!
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
14 Jan 07
here in my coutry we don´t really have this, but in spain, or actually the canary islands when I was there for holidays I saw soemthing "funny"
In all the public toilets - all the paper had been removed nd instead there was an old man, or woman sitting at the entrance with a roll of paper. If u asked for some she gave you and she then had a basket for you to put your tips in. After going a few times i stopped because I felt like i had already paid for the roll, about 10 times =)
1 person likes this
@puma_nz (999)
• New Zealand
13 Jan 07
Crikey I had no idea these people exsisted to be honest.. to hand you a Paper towel and then what?? What else do they do?? Are they actually employed to do that?? Do they actually sit in the Bathroom and listen to you fart & pee??? OMG! thats so funny!! I would hope they get a fairly good wage for puttin up with the smells..lol Sorry but all this is New to me and we dont have this sort of thing here in New Zealand.. We dont even TIP! I just find it fascinating.
2 people like this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
13 Jan 07
Well they actually have an assortment of colognes for you to use so I'm sure that kills some of the smell! It's not like they have attendants at every place, but they aren't completely uncommon! I'm not sure they make much on wages, but I'm sure they make descent money in tips!
1 person likes this
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Dude, I can't imagine having an attendant in the bathroom. I know they exist, but most of the time, if I'm heading to the bathroom in public, it's because I can't hold something long enough to get home. I usually PRAY for people not to be in the bathroom, because I never know what's going to happen when I'm in there. Not trying to be gross, *grin*, but that's just the way it is - and I read that these people aren't actually employed, they only get tips?? What a horrible job!! I would think you'd make better money with a sign in the median asking for work than in the bathroom!!
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Really, no salary? That sucks, all the more reason I feel better tipping him well! Next time I'm in one and it's just the two of us I'm going to ask!
@FreakQD (867)
• India
14 Jan 07
LOL!!!! I can't stop myself laughing by seeing a post like this! An attender to help us in Bathroom??? That really sounds funny man! I had never heard of such a thing in my life! I am from India and we don't have a guy like this to hand over a paper towl in bathroom. I guess its better to give him a tip, coz he has to sit in the bathroom all day and keep listing to all type of sounds and apart from that he has to resist the smell!! He is really worth it for a tip!!!
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
If he can put up with the boring job with some weird smells and people then more power to him right!
@thewolf777 (581)
• United States
14 Jan 07
i guess $5 is ok, ive never actually had that experience. what if it was a guy in a ladies room? do they do that? i wouldnt really like that i dont think. lol youd think he got that job for a reason... ♣
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
I don't think it works that way... I'm not sure any guy would like that job all that much... I think it might be one of the biggest turn offs ever!
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
13 Jan 07
We do not have any bathroom attendants here in my state or at least not at any of the places that I have been to. If we did I would probably give him a couple of dollars for standing there and providing you with a towel. Hopefully a person would not have to use the restroom a lot otherwise that would be a lot of tipping. I wonder how much a bathroom attendant makes on tips. :-)
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
That's a good question! They pretty much always have an attendant in the bar by my house, maybe next time I'll tip him good and ask!
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I wouldn't have given him so much if I'd had some ones in my wallet at the time!
1 person likes this
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
14 Jan 07
I've never tipped a bathroom dude. i'm always kind of freaked out when they are there - like I can't tear off a section of paper towel by myself?
I have this vague idea that I'm supposed to be, but I never really know what to do. Amd I have this issue that I don't want to encourage the practice of putting people in weird places doing things for me that I don't want people to do.
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Maybe one day you will be comfortable with the bathroom dude!
@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
14 Jan 07
Tipping is always a practice customers do especially when you are pleased with the service they give. If it is the last bill on your poket though and you need it, you are not obliged to give tips. If you are not at all happy with the service you get, again you are not obliged to give tips.
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Yeah, probably didn't need to tip for getting one freakin cig and a hand towl, but oh well!
@nuttmeg (440)
• United States
14 Jan 07
I guess it depends on the person, really. There have been times where a woman would be in there with loads of goods, ranging from yum-scented lotions from Victoria's Secret to samples of lipstick or makeup they happen to sell on the side (beauticontrol/avon). Comes in handy sometimes, especially if you just got finished dancing in a club lol. I think the most I've given is five, but I at least go for a dollar if it's just handing me a paper towel or what have you. Also depends on how broke I am doh.
I can see how that would be creepy for the men, especially right out there in the open. Eep!
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Wow, women get quite a bit better assortment than the men... I think tipping always is good karma! I really wouldn't have given him $5, but that was the only bill I had at the time and I wasn't giving him a $20!
@elusivedarkness (531)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Yeah, I've seen these bathroom attendants at nice restaurants and hotels. I think there was at one of the Four Seasons I stayed at. Some of the high rollers give them big tips to show off, but I usually will just give them a couple dollars.
1 person likes this
@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
15 Jan 07
Fair, I'm glad you tip them! I don't understand why so many people don't!
