to think that shops should have some compassion?

[Dottydooda]

I've recently toilet trained my 2 year old. On a number of occasions when we've been out, we've (inevitably) had to search for a public loo quickly. As I have a 10 month old in tow as well, this can prove to be rather interesting at times.

That aside, twice now I've been out in a shop (- Halfords and Waitrose to be exact) DD1 needed a loo. I had no choice but to ask the shop assistants who have responded that there are no loos.

Now, I know that legally this cannot be true and I understand them not wanting to share their loos with any Tom, Dick or Harry but when I'm standing there stressing, baby in one arm, toddler crossed legged and bursting on the other - AIBU to think that they could break their little rules to help their customers instead of lying outright? These 2 stores must get a lot of their custom from families with young children after all.

I was tempted to encourage a little puddle on their shop floor in retaliation :o

Needs amending?

Even if that means it costs an already struggling business hundreds more each year?

Then bejeezus you are being very unreasonable. You are putting your own needs and your child's way above the needs of any shop assistants.

Waitrose let my DD use the staff toilet.
I heart Waitrose.
Would have been a bit better mind you if they had built a customer toilet so I didn't have to beg.

Lesley- I meant if I was the shop assistant

Thanks ghoul
I think the potty i have bought to use with ds (not just yet) might be different (or I just don't understand enough yet) As it is a carry potty - like a little case, that you can close and empty/clean when convenient, would I still need bags/pads for one like this?

I'm very surprised that the Waitrose doesn't have customer toilets - even our small branch does. It might be worth contacting HO to ask when they are planning to install toilets in that branch.

TBH having experienced some of the most consistently crap and indifferent customer service at Halfords, I wouldn't have panicked if DS had wee'd on their floor.

Bloody phone...so it wouldn't be my child and my needs, I would be the shop assistant

I don't know how much extra insurance it would cost. I'm dubious as ROM whether there is actually any real legal issue, because you often find shop assistants who are willing to bend them rules..they usually accompany you though

Yes, it would be a blessed relief all round. I hate ship work. And I hate fecking ridiculous rules and regulations

I work in a shop (an independent, not a chainstore/supermarket) and we have on occasion let a customer use our staff loo.

Every time we found the toilet left in a disgusting state, piss all over the floor and shite on the seat. Unfortunately it's impossible to tell the respectful and toilet-trained from the dirty feckers, so we don't let anyone use it now.

I feel bad telling people to go down the road to the manky public loos though.

I would be hard pushed to find any high street where there are no customer toilets, there is usually a cafe, or a pub, or public toilets.