Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would you have said no as well?

157 replies

XylophoneSymphony · 21/04/2020 16:54

Delivery driver today visibly uncomfortable in some way asked to use our toilet - I felt bad but had to say no as apart from the CV risk currently i wasn’t sure if he may have had a bad stomach? I have young dc who aren’t well so can’t risk it.
I felt bad after but I think anyone at this time would have said no wouldn’t they

OP posts:
Original poster
XylophoneSymphony · 21/04/2020 21:50

I do feel really bad but I have to put the dc first. It just was too much of a potential risk for more than just CV reasons

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 21/04/2020 21:52

I have bouts of IBS so I can imagine he was desperate. I would have let him use the downstairs loo and thoroughly cleaned it later

Elsiebear90 · 21/04/2020 21:54

I can’t believe so many people would say no to someone who is obviously very uncomfortable and desperate with nowhere to go. I have IBS and being caught short is my worst nightmare, poor guy.

LimitIsUp · 21/04/2020 21:57

I think those of us with IBS know what it's like but perhaps people with healthier bowels just don't get it

CoffeeRunner · 21/04/2020 22:02

I would have absolutely let him use the loo. It’s human decency!

But then again I work on a Covid Ward, so dealing with pee & poo from Covid positive people is nothing new to me. I would have just cleaned the loo, basin & taps in the same way I would at work.

I wouldn’t let an innocent person shit themselves when I had a perfectly serviceable toilet.

Ezira · 21/04/2020 22:02

Apparently coronavirus can be transmitted via faeces - so no, I wouldn’t let someone use my loo at present. Not to mention he’d undoubtedly touch the door handle, towel, stair handrail, etc. It’s too much of a risk.

EngagedAgain · 21/04/2020 22:24

You could have offered him a bucket 😂😂 I love these delivery driver poo dilemma threads. Under the circumstances though a definite no, unless I had an outside loo, and under normal circumstances probably no, unless I had outside loo. Different if it's someone working in the home.

BackforGood · 21/04/2020 22:26

Of course I'd let him use the toilet.
It's just human decency.

It must be difficult enough finding somewhere to go in normal times. Now some shopping centres and other toilets he would normally access are closed. What do you expect him to do all day ? Cafes and pubs and McDs etc all closed as well as public buildings like libraries and museums. Poor man.

missmouse101 · 21/04/2020 22:29

He would have been most welcome to use mine. Poor guy. Sad

Original poster
XylophoneSymphony · 21/04/2020 22:37

I do feel bad. I feel worse as I understand what my dc goes through with toilet problems so I know but even normally I’d be too worried to let anyone as they are at risk from just a stomach bug so it’s very difficult and we only have one loo
It may even have been he was onlydesp for a wee but I couldn’t exactly ask what he needed ! He looked uncomfortable though

OP posts:
Orangesandbananas · 21/04/2020 22:54

I would never let a man I didn't know into my home without DH there, too risky in all sorts of ways.

Stronger76 · 22/04/2020 06:52

How the fuck is it illegal to refuse a delivery person in to use the loo? Even at work?

Everywhere I've worked for the last 20 years has required either a DBS clearance, financial/security clearance or at the very least a confirmed appointment to get beyond the front desk. Even in retail nobody came back office without permission from the manager!?

OP you were right.

MagnoliaJustice · 22/04/2020 06:57

I would have let him use the toilet. Poor man.
Some people are heartless.

Ulver · 22/04/2020 07:00

I would have said no.
I’m nervous of men being in the house unless invited. I would have pointed out that our local Sainsbury’s have public toilets.

Dowser · 22/04/2020 07:22

My son is a carer in and out of peoples homes, often in another town for his 12-14 hour shift.
I know he’s really struggling with loos with all cafes and public loos etc being closed.
I’d have probably let the delivery driver use it. We have one loo downstairs.
I’d do it because I hope someone would be kind to my son

aurynne · 22/04/2020 08:02

How would you feel if the delivery person had been your child and had shat himself as a result of neighbours refusing to let him use their toilet?

Redwinestillfine · 22/04/2020 08:12

Sadly we live in a world where letting a strange man into your house is a risk. With kids present it's an unacceptable risk. It's not the delivery drivers fault and unfortunate for him but maybe he shouldn't be working if he's ill.

Ulver · 22/04/2020 08:22

aurynne

How would you feel if the delivery person had been your child and had shat himself as a result of neighbours refusing to let him use their toilet?

He’s not a child he’s an adult and it’s not the OPs job to regulate his bowels ffs.
He can plan his journey and be aware of where there are toilets. It’s part of his job.

Ulver · 22/04/2020 08:24

I’m amazed that people think it’s women’s job to caretake complete strangers bowel habits.

Strugglingtodomybest · 22/04/2020 08:57

I would have let him, poor guy. I'm shocked how many posters would have said no. Have some empathy folks!

I think those of us with IBS know what it's like but perhaps people with healthier bowels just don't get it

You're probably right, but I haven't got IBS, but I've read enough on here to understand that finding a toilet whilst out and about can be really stressful. Plus, he doesn't have to have IBS in order to need the loo. It's surely a basic human need? Or maybe he should have just gone in the garden?

tiredanddangerous · 22/04/2020 09:17

I feel really sorry for delivery drivers and postmen/women at the moment. Literally everywhere they would usually go is closed. Even the big supermarkets round here have closed their toilets (you’d have to queue to get in even if they were open!)

I’d have let him whilst staying 2m away from him and just cleaned thoroughly afterwards.

livefornaps · 22/04/2020 09:23

I would have said no, but I'm willing to have it on my conscience that as a result,he probably shat in the van Sad

Grobagsforever · 22/04/2020 11:20

I would have let him and just cleaned the loo. Poor guy.

Ulver · 22/04/2020 12:00

Am I the only person who can go 8 hrs without needing a crap?
If I had the runs I would stay at home.
Has everyone forgotten that it’s a Coronavirus symptom???

Ulver · 22/04/2020 12:02

If he was spluttering out if his mouth would you offer your bathroom sink up for him to hack into?