Larger grocery stores in the US usually have public toilets, as do chain book stores, etc. Even in the rural south, and particularly in the north east.
And toilet doesn't offend some of us, either
I can't believe nobody's used this yet
I think we should all chip in and get you an eye test
Most public toilets got closed down, because as has been mentioned, they became synonymous with cottaging, and drug abuse.
I just use McDonalds or the nearest cafe, McDonalds practically means public shit hole anyway doesn't it?
I'm going to break a rule here and make multiple posts. I will be very happy if you can merge them together shell.
1.) I have NEVER seen rest rooms in grocery stores and I have never heard of people needing to go to the loo when being at such stores. Is it because the largest chain in New England is owned by the Dutch? (Maybe that is why the local store keeps advertising that they are "American Owned" -- so they have toilets? Or can somebody just not go before they leave the house?)
Really? Do they have huge signs advertising where the bathroom is? If not, I would not characterize that as a "public toilet."
Yes and no. The previous poster made it sound as if they were in a shopping center when they needed to use the bathroom. In such as situation, I would presume that the shopping center would provide a place for somebody to go the bathroom? Beyond that, if somebody just choose a shop in their general vicinity -- I'd say that it is up to the shop's owner to decide.
I am American. 20 minutes means nothing to me in terms of commute time. This might explain why the Swiss have turned me down for jobs and have said, "You wanted to commute for sixty minutes?" And then shown great disbelief and surprise. Read this new article ... at least they have a job!!! I am still jobless.
The same situation would exist in the US? Or am I missing something?
That is not far away for me. I do not come from Europe and 20 minutes means nothing to me.
I am honestly curious -- what is the name of the chain with rest rooms? I have never seen grocery store chains in the US with bathrooms which are publicly advertised.
You should be aware of your needs ahead of time. I struggle to believe that you would find better "acceptance" anywhere else.
Yes, they have signs. Usually just a drawing of a man and a woman.
You've never heard of someone needing the toilet when they're out? You're kidding, right?
You've never had a kid around who needed to pee? A pregnant woman should hold it? A woman with a bladder infection? Overactive bladder? Someone ate something that disagreed with them and it hits when in the store - should they go before they leave the house?
No, not everyone can just go before they leave the house.
I am talking about grocery stores in the US. And yes, I have *never* seen a sign pointing to a WC in an American grocery store. You know what? Like I said before... I've been to grocery stores here, and I have founds WCs. This person says that they do not exist... and do you know what I've realized? It is because they do not have big signs pointing to them -- just as I have never seen such signs in the US. They exist here and there.
I am talking about grocery stores in the US too.
Ok? What is the name of the chain where you have see specific signs pointing to bathrooms? That is all that I have asked? So they exist, do you mind giving me an example? I am actually curious...
When I lived in Cleveland - Tops, Giant Eagle. When I lived in NYC - Pathmark, Waldbaums, others that I can't remember. There are others, but I never paid that much attention.
Loeb or Globus also have well signaged "restroom" facilities .....
In Switzerland you just need to do some preparation, get to know where all the rest rooms are in your area where you frequent.
When I was last in Bern, as few years ago now, all restaurant/bar toilets were locked and you had to ask for the key due to junkies shooting up in them.
its got a lot better ..... they now have there own Stubli, where they can go & do whatver it is they want to do. Loeb are taking over the part of the Bahnhof that belongs to the city of Bern, kicking out all the crappy shops & will be ejecting the noisome drunks & junkies .... about time too.
Careful, that may result in an over reliance on common sense .... we wouldn't want that now would we ????
Imagine that!
Ok, American who has never seen any bathrooms in stores...
I come from California. At one point I lived 5 minutes by car from 2 different Barnes and Noble stores, and 10 minutes from 4 different ones. Shopping in CA means struggling to find parking for 5-20 minutes (depending on the season). Once parked I was parked.
I'm a reader and would often spend a couple hours in a Barnes and Noble store. When I had to use the bathroom there I used it. It's for customers. No driving home for me.
Because you asked here are some of the grocery stores that have public restrooms with signs where I come from: Safeway, Albertson's, Nob Hill Foods, Whole Foods. Of course all big department stores, electronic stores or Kmart type stores. Smaller grocery stores such as Trader Joe's don't always have them labeled, but you ask the nice friendly kid stocking shelves and he always points out the restroom in the back. Every fast food joint, from Subway to Starbucks, has one you can just walk into. Every bookstore and gas station as well.
I miss these convenient, free, clean restrooms. That's all I was talking about. They are family friendly, old lady friendly, etc. This attitude maybe has lots to do with customer service in general, but that's another thread that probably already exists.
I understand planning ahead is great, but it's not always possible when you are sick or disabled or have small children or shopping in a new town. It's not even the point that restrooms in most stores are for employees only. It's more the inflexible attitude and being turned down when you are obviously shopping in their store.
Hi Penguin,
I can understand where you are coming from certainly. Every country has its own little perks and Switzerland, being a clinical and "operate like clockwork" country on first appearance, is still far from perfect when one is immersed in the culture.
Still, little things like this can either drive you crazy or you can do things to minimise the impact on your psyche. Switzerland is a country that is quite hard to get used to even for people who are from similar, western style nations.
I can understand becuase being Australian life seems a lot easier, the weather in winter, the convenience of everything, the access to shops open on Sunday the list goes on...I found eventually that rather than despising the little things I grew to love some o fhte nuances of Switzerland. It was nice spending the time at home with the family on Sunday rather than doing "ratrace" things that occur every other day of the week, kind of like stepping back into the 70's and it has its appeal.
Oh boy are you in for a shock if your wife ever gets pregnant especially when she gets to around 8 months gone like Penguin is. A wee lesson for you, at that stage your bladder is squeezer to about the size of a walnut; you need to pee every 10 minutes (or so it feels), and when you need to go you need to go NOW! Not after a 20 minute drive, not in 10 minutes but NOW. As for kids, they hold it till the last minute then you have approximately 2 minutes to find them a toilet and it doesn't matter if you have asked them 100 times while in the vicinity of a toilet.
I can only speak for Zurich, since that's where I live, but I find it just as easy to find a WC here as in major cities in the U.S. You just have to know where to look. Every major store, and some minor ones, has open facilities. I've sometimes gone into restaurants, hotels etc. to use the toilet, and it's never been a problem. I think the OP just had bad luck in this case.
I disagree with having pay toilets in the HB (interestingly, they're free in other stations like Stadelhofen). To me, it's like any other major public space, i.e. airport or stadium. Lots of people need to go, and they should be able to so for free, even if that means it gets trashed by junkies.
I have to say that an 8 month pregnant women should ALWAYS be an exception in using a toilet, who would like an 5-8 pound weight squeezing their bladder for twenty minutes?? My husband is Swiss and he always told me to just walk right into a bathroom in Switzerland without asking when I was pregnant. I am sure the fear of someone toking up or having a nap in the toilet wouldn't be the real problem when a pregnat lady is asking and being rejected in using a toilet. For me it is simply encountering a stubborn person who has never had their bladder squeezed..
Einfach sagen, aber sicher Sie wollen nicht peepee auf die boden?? But surely you don't want pee on the floor! The bad grammar and bluntness should give you the rolling eyed wave of approval!
Simply put , pregnant ladies always should be able to use a toilet in my opinion,