Page 30 | To be annoyed at the lack of bathrooms

Applecharm25 · 2025-01-20T13:39:48+00:00

I have my period. I can feel that i need to change my tampon. I'm out walking round my city. There are no public bathrooms anywhere near me. I see a sign for a bathroom in a small shopping centre near me. I walk in. The bathroom is actually in a shop. I'm told that the bathroom is only available for paying customers. So now I have to get in a long queue and wait further and buy something while I really need to change my tampon. Surely there should be better toilet services available.

Greyish2025 · 20/01/2025 15:00

Phthia · 20/01/2025 14:41

Really? I would ask for the toilets or the Ladies'. The bathroom is a room with a bath in it.

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That’s being pedantic, If I were to ask someone whilst out walking the dog, did they know if there were any public bathrooms nearby, I’m sure they would understand and not assume I was looking for one with the intention of taking a bath

DryIce · 20/01/2025 15:00

I agree there should be more public toilets. Accessible public toilets were a big part of independence for women, it's a shame they're declining.

But who is the "they" who should be installing/managing them? Councils are skint - I'd also like to see more youth centres, libraries, public swimming pools etc, but we don't for the same reason.

An genuinely fascinated by all the standing up tampon changers though! Is it not awkward if you're wearing trousers? Does blood not get on anything? How do you keep your hands clean?

I've always done it sitting down - and yes, I understand my uterus and my bladder function independently, but when I am sitting down on the loo with my pants down anyway, I generally take the opportunity to have a wee also

Negroany · 20/01/2025 14:59

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:56

Ooh what's a radar key?

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Yes, I have one due to my IBS. Not sure you can get them for periods though. But there do still need to actually be loos in order to use them!

Simonjt · 20/01/2025 14:59

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 20/01/2025 14:20

And what about those who use towels?
Will they be allowed to use them or will they be tampon only?

What about women who use both, they would need to shuffle between two different rooms!

Topsyturvy78 · 20/01/2025 14:58

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 13:52

No I'm in the UK.

What do you mean "bathroom" is not common. Everyone I know, says bathroom.

A woman even walked in after me, and asked where the bathroom is.

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But there's no bath or shower in public toilets so why call them bathroom? If I know I'm going to be out a few GH hours not able to get to a toilet. I double up with a pad and period knickers.

Negroany · 20/01/2025 14:58

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:55

I've been in loads of people's houses. They always refer to the room as the bathroom.

Even if it doesn't have a bath in it.

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I was just pointing out that it causes confusion.

I have a downstairs loo, no bath in it (there is a bath in the bathroom). Never, ever referred to as a bathroom. Just "the loo", or if differential is needed "the downstairs loo'.

Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:56

Heyway · 20/01/2025 14:37

Agree. This is why I got a radar key

Ooh what's a radar key?

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Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:55

Negroany · 20/01/2025 14:54

Not really. My mum has a shower room and a bathroom. Me referring to the shower room as a "bathroom" caused confusion with the plumber who couldn't find the leak I asked him to look at because he was in the bathroom and the leak was in the shower room but I'd said "the family bathroom" (because the room with the bath in is the en suite) and he went to the other one - as he said to me "but it hasn't got a bath in it".

And he's a plumber!

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I've been in loads of people's houses. They always refer to the room as the bathroom.

Even if it doesn't have a bath in it.

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WongKarWhy · 20/01/2025 14:55

MiddleAgedDread · 20/01/2025 14:35

I have never in my life changed a tampon sitting down!!

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Huh, I've always found it much easier to do so sitting on the loo, but we're all different I suppose.

It's a bit like that old thread where half of us were shocked that some people wipe their bums standing up, and the other half were shocked some of us do it sitting down!

Deathraystare · 20/01/2025 14:55

Whether you say bathroom or toilet (and to be honest, I always used to laugh at my ex Boss - a very Americanised German for saying bathroom as I expected to see him with a bath brush and rubber duckie!!) it is a bloody pain finding any. I was in John Lewis a while back and there were signs saying toilets but I could not see where! Even on a map I could not find them! I thought that they would be near the food place but still could not find them. When I need to go loo I need to go. No 30 minutes around the store finding the bloody things. It was worse during Covid when every store and coffee shop had 'out of order' toilets. I eventually got into Macdonald's. Bless them! And bless Tena lady too!!!

When you get into these rare beasts their locks do not work and there is no hook on the door so your coat has to go on the floor.

They do not mend them because of costs.

Parratha · 20/01/2025 14:54

You need to download an app. There are a few. I use "Toilet Finder" Lots of pubs, centres, cafes, chuch halls round me that allow public access. The council reimburses them for allowing this. It's a great scheme.

Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:54

Phthia · 20/01/2025 14:43

Nonsense. Very few women only want to change a tampon without taking the chance to have a wee.

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What?

They're two completely different things.

Bladder and womb are not connected to each other in any way shape or form.

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Negroany · 20/01/2025 14:54

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:51

But many bathrooms in houses - don't have baths?

Most of them just have showers these days.

People call a room in their house with a

shower, sink and toilet

"The bathroom'

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Not really. My mum has a shower room and a bathroom. Me referring to the shower room as a "bathroom" caused confusion with the plumber who couldn't find the leak I asked him to look at because he was in the bathroom and the leak was in the shower room but I'd said "the family bathroom" (because the room with the bath in is the en suite) and he went to the other one - as he said to me "but it hasn't got a bath in it".

And he's a plumber!

Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:53

YouPutTheScrewInTheTuna · 20/01/2025 14:28

Maybe OP is a man... don't think I've ever changed a tampon without using the toilet at the same time 🤔 didn't need a special tampon changing hut though. Just a regular toilet!

I think you're a man, as every woman knows that periods and urine are two completely separate things.

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Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:52

Clafoutie · 20/01/2025 14:44

So why do many pubs and shops have signs saying "bathrooms here".

Do they? In the UK? Where they do this is a change of use from the traditional ‘ toilets/ wc/loos’ and, as others have said, most likely a social media influence as bathroom/restroom is traditionally what is used in the US.
Whether or not that matters is a different question.

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I've been to the USA. I never heard anyone say bathroom there where I was

They say restroom

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Negroany · 20/01/2025 14:51

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:04

But you're not using the loo, when you change a tampon....

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I would be, I sit on it because the hole is handy for leverage. Not to mention a safety wee while you're at it.

Do you do it in the bedroom at home? Or maybe kitchen? Kids' playroom?

And no, I have definitely never seen a public sign saying "bathrooms here", they say "toilets" or just have graphics of people.

NeedToChangeName · 20/01/2025 14:51

'Where is Public Toilet' App is really useful for finding a toilet when in need

AppLink - x7agc.app.goo.gl/8KTE

Original poster

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:51

Phthia · 20/01/2025 14:41

Really? I would ask for the toilets or the Ladies'. The bathroom is a room with a bath in it.

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But many bathrooms in houses - don't have baths?

Most of them just have showers these days.

People call a room in their house with a

shower, sink and toilet

"The bathroom'

OP posts:

Parratha · 20/01/2025 14:50

graceinspace999 · 20/01/2025 13:44

Go into a pub - if it’s empty pretend to look for a friend then dart into the loo. Do not catch bar persons eye.

If it’s full go straight in.

Never ask if you can use a shop/pub//cafe toilet just walk in confidently.

That's rude. I always ask and I've never been refused.

gamerchick · 20/01/2025 14:50

Onedaynotyet · 20/01/2025 14:46

Suspect artlessly naive OP has got his/her/their knickers in a twist.

Or just wants period stories.

CaptainMyCaptain · 20/01/2025 14:47

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:04

But you're not using the loo, when you change a tampon....

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Well I would probably go while I was in there seeing as public toilets (not bathrooms) are so few and far between.

Onedaynotyet · 20/01/2025 14:46

Suspect artlessly naive OP has got his/her/their knickers in a twist.

Phthia · 20/01/2025 14:45

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:07

So why do many pubs and shops have signs saying "bathrooms here".

Jesus people get annoyed about everything.

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I can't remember ever seeing a sign for bathrooms rather than toilets. And try going on public transport - all the signposting is for "Toilets".

Clafoutie · 20/01/2025 14:44

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 14:07

So why do many pubs and shops have signs saying "bathrooms here".

Jesus people get annoyed about everything.

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So why do many pubs and shops have signs saying "bathrooms here".

Do they? In the UK? Where they do this is a change of use from the traditional ‘ toilets/ wc/loos’ and, as others have said, most likely a social media influence as bathroom/restroom is traditionally what is used in the US.
Whether or not that matters is a different question.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 20/01/2025 14:43

I thought this thread was going to be about a house the OP had viewed, which had ten bedrooms and only two bathrooms.

Or possibly a hotel.