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To be annoyed at the lack of bathrooms

855 replies

Applecharm25 · 20/01/2025 13:39

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.

OP posts:
Plastictrees · 21/01/2025 08:18

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/01/2025 08:11

Exactly. The OP could have conceded long ago that OK she says 'bathroom' but most people don't as evidenced on here. Also that she doesn't need to pee while changing a tampon but most women do as evidenced on here. But no she is fighting her corner and every post she makes just makes her sound more batshit and now, I think, most of us following the thread are here for entertainment.

FWIW I voted YANBU because we do need more public toilets but the rest is nonsense.

I agree. The OP has an ‘interesting’ interpersonal style to say the least.

CaptainMyCaptain · 21/01/2025 08:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Exactly. The OP could have conceded long ago that OK she says 'bathroom' but most people don't as evidenced on here. Also that she doesn't need to pee while changing a tampon but most women do as evidenced on here. But no she is fighting her corner and every post she makes just makes her sound more batshit and now, I think, most of us following the thread are here for entertainment.

FWIW I voted YANBU because we do need more public toilets but the rest is nonsense.

MoonWoman69 · 21/01/2025 08:08

@OooPourUsACupLove @FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly

Honestly ladies, I'd give up! It's clear people are now being deliberately obtuse!
It's quite clear to me what you're saying!
Must be lovely to have nice clean periods that don't require sometimes having to clean up a murder scene! Just to bob into a little bare changing room, pull one out, pop one in, all stood up and no need to wash your hands! Fantastic! 🙄

coralsky · 21/01/2025 07:36

There used to be a fair few in my city. Sadly most have closed due to vandalism and drug users hanging out in them. They used to get in a terrible state but now they've completely given up and closed them down.

21ZIGGY · 21/01/2025 07:32

Mum2jenny · 20/01/2025 22:35

I said that if you were really that involved with this as a main issue, your life must be ‘shite’ as there are so much more interesting issues to get involved in.
The fact you are fixating on going to the ‘bathroom’, I feel that you do not live in the real UK, as I’ve never seen a sign to a ‘bathroom’ in a restaurant or pub in my life.

No you didnt. You said

Sorry your life is obviously shite and you need verification for your sad interpretation of a normal life.

This thread is a bullying pile on now

JumpingPumpkin · 21/01/2025 07:24

A period pod is one of the odder ideas I've seen.

My local council has closed a toilet down an alley way, access to a couple of shops/offices there. You can imagine what men do when they discover there's no public loo there anymore.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:46

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:17

So are you suggesting 4 toilets is better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle? I mean let's say it's
A: [OOOO_] vs.
B: [OOOOU]
C: [OOOOO]
where __ is empty space, O is a loo, and U a cubicle without a loo. You think A is better than B? For your record I think C is best, but if C cannot happen due to some physical limitation, than I think B is better than A.

No, because I'm saying the cubicle would be the same size as a toilet....

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:46

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:24

Yes I am. Because I think your period pod will be unused 90% of the time, whereas larger toilet cubicles allow women especially women with kids to get in and out faster, which will increase the overall throughput more than the odd woman being able to use the pod instead of a cubicle, and as a bonus improve everyone's comfort on the job, as it were.

Yes so instead of

[oooo_]
It would be
[OOOO]
Make the cubicles fit the space with extra room (like I said before, some cubicles you can barely move your arms in, let alone making it more accessible for mothers and children!) rather than the extra gap at the end being empty

QueenCamilla · 21/01/2025 01:32

Just in case the initial bathroom vs toilet debacle isn't settled, I suggest asking for the throne the next time! 😁

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:29

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:24

Yes I am. Because I think your period pod will be unused 90% of the time, whereas larger toilet cubicles allow women especially women with kids to get in and out faster, which will increase the overall throughput more than the odd woman being able to use the pod instead of a cubicle, and as a bonus improve everyone's comfort on the job, as it were.

Oh ok, this I might be able to get on board with, making that extra space part of a bigger toilet. I don't know how the maths will work out in terms of shortening the queue but if it does your way, then sure. Anything to make everyone's experience better.

Applecharm25 · 21/01/2025 01:25

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:17

So are you suggesting 4 toilets is better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle? I mean let's say it's
A: [OOOO_] vs.
B: [OOOOU]
C: [OOOOO]
where __ is empty space, O is a loo, and U a cubicle without a loo. You think A is better than B? For your record I think C is best, but if C cannot happen due to some physical limitation, than I think B is better than A.

Now this is the maths they should be teaching in schools!

OP posts:
OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:24

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:17

So are you suggesting 4 toilets is better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle? I mean let's say it's
A: [OOOO_] vs.
B: [OOOOU]
C: [OOOOO]
where __ is empty space, O is a loo, and U a cubicle without a loo. You think A is better than B? For your record I think C is best, but if C cannot happen due to some physical limitation, than I think B is better than A.

Yes I am. Because I think your period pod will be unused 90% of the time, whereas larger toilet cubicles allow women especially women with kids to get in and out faster, which will increase the overall throughput more than the odd woman being able to use the pod instead of a cubicle, and as a bonus improve everyone's comfort on the job, as it were.

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:22

OK with that absurd sketch I think I'm off. 😂 Never in my life have I thought this much about public toilets. But for the record I think the best thing would be:
[OOOOO] ---> [OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXX]
where X's are bigger toilets for disability/women with kids, etc.

Applecharm25 · 21/01/2025 01:22

They're definitely not lacking space anywhere either.

There's loads of space for loos and/or period pods if they wanted to put them into towns.

The council's are just not bothered!

OP posts:
enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:17

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:12

But they are going to at least take up the same space...

So are you suggesting 4 toilets is better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle? I mean let's say it's
A: [OOOO_] vs.
B: [OOOOU]
C: [OOOOO]
where __ is empty space, O is a loo, and U a cubicle without a loo. You think A is better than B? For your record I think C is best, but if C cannot happen due to some physical limitation, than I think B is better than A.

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:14

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:11

😂Of course 5 toilets would be better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle. Not denying that. I'm saying that 4 toilets + 1 cubicle would be better than 4 toilets.

Actually 3 standard toilet cubicles and 1 oversized or disabled access toilet, or 4 larger than standard cubicles would be a better use of space. Really helpful for women with kids.

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:13

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:05

I've explained several times. It's because I simply don't think the number of women changing san pro only and not also using the loo at any one point in time is large enough that giving them special san pro cubicles is going to make a noticeable difference, so I think it would be far better to put the effort into funding and building the facilities we actually need, which is more toilets. I also gave a fairly well fleshed out proposal for a new type of female-design enclosed urinal that could be installed without needing full soil stacks which IMO gives far more benefit than a san-pro changing only cubicle.

You are "dallying" with the idea they "could work". Good for you. I've thought about it and I don't think they will. Isn't that the point of making a suggestion, to get other persectives? Or was I supposed to just nod in agreement so as not to spoil a nice dally?

I agree with you! Toilets, female-urinal thingies, are all better than an empty cubicle with just a bin and loo rolls, obviously!

But just that in the even that if these things cannot be built but there is space, there's no harm in adding an extra door and making it into a cubicle!

I'm not saying that a Period Pod should take priority over any of the facilities you're suggesting.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:12

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:11

😂Of course 5 toilets would be better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle. Not denying that. I'm saying that 4 toilets + 1 cubicle would be better than 4 toilets.

But they are going to at least take up the same space...

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:11

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:09

No

I'm saying that in any building there is limited space. And that fitting 5 standard toilets into that limited space rather than 4 and a cubicle is better.

There will always be limited space. And a cubicle for changing will be at least as big as toilet cubicle.

😂Of course 5 toilets would be better than 4 toilets + 1 cubicle. Not denying that. I'm saying that 4 toilets + 1 cubicle would be better than 4 toilets.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:09

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:01

In your example you're assuming that we would have to squeeze out 1/5 toilets for a cubicle.

No one ever said that if could get a toilet, we'd rather have just a cubicle.

No

I'm saying that in any building there is limited space. And that fitting 5 standard toilets into that limited space rather than 4 and a cubicle is better.

There will always be limited space. And a cubicle for changing will be at least as big as toilet cubicle.

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:07

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:05

I've explained several times. It's because I simply don't think the number of women changing san pro only and not also using the loo at any one point in time is large enough that giving them special san pro cubicles is going to make a noticeable difference, so I think it would be far better to put the effort into funding and building the facilities we actually need, which is more toilets. I also gave a fairly well fleshed out proposal for a new type of female-design enclosed urinal that could be installed without needing full soil stacks which IMO gives far more benefit than a san-pro changing only cubicle.

You are "dallying" with the idea they "could work". Good for you. I've thought about it and I don't think they will. Isn't that the point of making a suggestion, to get other persectives? Or was I supposed to just nod in agreement so as not to spoil a nice dally?

I just think they have decided they won't understand and that they are 100% right and won't consider that making more public conveniences that can be used for any toileting purpose is the bigger issue

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:05

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 00:57

That's indeed an absurd hypothetical scenario. And you misunderstood again. In the event when the council miraculously decided to build a whole new toilet, I wouldn't ask that some toilets be cubicles-only.

But with that hypothetical council, what could happen is "we will build 4 toilets" and then someone could point out that, while there's not enough plumbing to build a fifth, there's space to build a cubicle on top of 4 toilets. Now how would that be a problem?

It's not an absurd hypothetical situation.

I just think you're never going to get it.

OooPourUsACupLove · 21/01/2025 01:05

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 00:49

I hardly think that anyone would contest building more toilets.
The question is why are you railing so hard against building more cubicles if that helps alleviate queues and if for some reason installing toilets are not possible.
I mean obviously if we're going to petition, I'd go for building toilets not cubicles. But we're just dallying with the idea that actually, cubicles could work too. If it's easier to build, it might be passed faster or something. Like why would it actually be a bad idea? Again remember that "having more cubicles" and "having more toilets" are not mutually exclusive!

I've explained several times. It's because I simply don't think the number of women changing san pro only and not also using the loo at any one point in time is large enough that giving them special san pro cubicles is going to make a noticeable difference, so I think it would be far better to put the effort into funding and building the facilities we actually need, which is more toilets. I also gave a fairly well fleshed out proposal for a new type of female-design enclosed urinal that could be installed without needing full soil stacks which IMO gives far more benefit than a san-pro changing only cubicle.

You are "dallying" with the idea they "could work". Good for you. I've thought about it and I don't think they will. Isn't that the point of making a suggestion, to get other persectives? Or was I supposed to just nod in agreement so as not to spoil a nice dally?

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 01:04

And let's consider what this "sanitary changing pod" would require:

It's going to need to be at least as wide as a normal cubicle but probably should be a little wider because some are so narrow moving your arms is almost impossible anyway. So probably can't fit as many as a standard cubicle into the same space so where we would have put 5 toilets we can now put 4 (which, to be clear, is being converted into a toilet and isn't already one!)

It's going to need sanitary bins, that's fine all ladies loos have them anyway

It's going to need toilet roll, again normal. But it's also going to need to go somewhere as there's no toilet to flush it down. The sanitary bin? Well it's going to fill up much quicker that way so will need emptying more. Or something else? Oh that's filling up this space more.

It's still going to need sinks so plumbing with have to happen anyway

It will need some kind of seat, a chair or fold down seat, because whilst they might not all need a wee at the same time, some women will still want to sit down. This takes up more space again, better increase that to a bigger cubicle actually to be effective. We can fit 3 in here now...

Oh but we need to provide something to sanitise that seat. Because someone's vagina and ass have definitely been on there and people are not going to want to sit on that. I mean people are squeamish about loo seats and on those most of the "dirty bits" are actually situated down the "hole" as it were. Plus, as this is specifically for changing sanitary products then there's a good chance there will be blood. Even if they stand up, there may be blood on the floor.... well, we'll need a good supply of wipes. But need to be careful about chemicals because it's just open to the public to use...

Maybe some kind of sluice could be included to flush the floor, a bit like a toilet flush. Well that will required the cubicle being fully enclosed, the plumbing and pipework fitted and probably needs the cubicle to be bigger. It will make 2 cubicles instead...

You know what, we are having to fit plumbing and drainage and sanitary bins and loo roll anyway. Let's build 5 toilet cubicles which any woman can use for any purpose instead...

enkelt2 · 21/01/2025 01:01

FallOfTheHouseOfUtterlyButterly · 21/01/2025 00:53

I never said replace either...

In your example you're assuming that we would have to squeeze out 1/5 toilets for a cubicle.

No one ever said that if could get a toilet, we'd rather have just a cubicle.

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