to politely decline to use the disabled loo?

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

I was waiting in a long queue for the loo in a coffee chain and saw a lady with crutches head into the disabled toilet. She came out while I was still queueing. Another lady further back in the queue caught my eye and offered for me to go in first. I declined saying that I wasn't disabled so wasn't entitled to use it. She then countered away to her friends telling them that she was going to use it as 'it was the law' that if it wasn't being used you could use it. I couldn't face an argument so just ignored her. It's still bothering me that I should have said something to her and corrected her.

Oh ffs they are not disabled toilets but accessible toilets.

If no one else was using it and she was going to be quick I don't see the issue.

YABU I think, if only for the sake of those behind you, and assuming there were no disabled persons who needed it, I think you should have used it. Certainly that's how it works in our local Waitrose.

Bloody hell it's a toilet, you don't have to be disabled to use it, just have to give priority to disabled people if they are waiting to use the toilet too.

Actually, she's right, at least she would be here in Oz. If it's free and no one is waiting to use it, you can.

They're not like parking spaces, you can use them if you like.

I'd use it.

Yeah, I'd use it. I'm always quick though in case anyone arrives outside who needs it!

Of course you can use it. No laws saying you can't (unless it's one of those toilets you need to buy a special key for).

How goody goody of you but really most people would use it. Look behind you if no one with disabilities and then use it. What did you feel the need to correct her about?

I'd use it - and I say this as someone whose DH is someone who needs an accessible loo. Incidentally, they are not "disabled" facilities, but are designed to meet a range of requirements that come under the broad umbrella of accessibility.

Provided you are not taking the place of someone who cannot use the "inaccessible" loos and you don't plan to spend half the day in there, then why not cut the queue down? There's no law that says you can't.

Yabu.

Was it a radar key one or just an accessible one in the same place as the others. If it was the former, YANBU they are locked for a reason. If it was the latter, your were unreasonable and in the wrong. Those loos are accessible and instead of 5 people about to piss their pants leaving one loo free for no one who needs it you should have freed up the queue. Of course, if someone needing it came along after they would not have to queue n could go in- it takes all of 30 seconds to piss. If you are turtling, you should always demur because you'll be longer.

Was it a proper disabled loo or one of the ones marked 'men/women/disabled' that you tend to get in small coffee shops?

Yabu. Of course you can use it. It's not reserved for people with disabilities, just adapted so wheelchairs can enter more easily

Loos are multi-use items, it's not as though there are only a limited number of flushes in a day and there might not enough left for someone who needs it at the end of the day.

If it was unlocked I would have used it.

Oh, the OP has vanished. What a shock.

I think it would be entirely reasonable to say "Is there anyone who needs to use the accessible toilet?" and if noone answers then use it. Especially if there is a long line.

What exactly were you going to say to her?

YANBU at all. People criticising you are showing themselves up really

YABU, the toilet is accessible and those who need accessible facilities have priority.
But others can still use it. I would be quick though in case anybody needs it.
Silly to all stand in a really long queue whilst a toilet is vacant.

Not really. if everyone in queue used it it wouldn't be very accessible would it.

Oh ffs they are not disabled toilets but accessible toilets.

Accessible for those with disabilities, not accessible to all.