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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect a bin in the bathroom?

356 replies

IsabelleSE19 · 16/01/2017 13:30

Recently I've stayed with a very dear friend of mine and close family of DH's. Both households are very hospitable and I love visiting them. BUT. In neither case was there a bin in the bathroom, and in one of them there wasn't even one in the guest bedroom. AIBU not to want to put used cotton pads/buds and sanitary stuff back into my sponge bag, or cart it round the house in my hands looking for a bin?

OP posts:
TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 18:48

There's no need to smuggle stuff discretely up your sleeve or whatever - if you're staying at someone's house and there's only, say, a kitchen bin - then everyone is going to be disposing all their rubbish into it, all through the day.

Discretely smuggling stuff will just look weird!

As I mentioned upthread, I'd feel more comfortable putting rubbish in a main kitchen bin, as I know it gets emptied regularly, it's easy to push something down into it to be hidden, etc.

Bathroom bins aren't regularly emptied - they're often small with no lids, and if a guest has left sanpro in them, it's easily identifiable. Or it might be. Possibly days later.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 20:47

"I'd feel more comfortable putting rubbish in a main kitchen bin, as I know it gets emptied regularly"

How do you know?
My kitchen bin is a bin bag that goes out on bin day. Never gets emptied as I have nothing to empty it into (no outside bin).

You say it's not necessary to hide the san pro when you're walking through the house with it to put in a kitchen bin, but I've never seen anyone do this in my life, so I presume that those who do, do it discreetly.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 20:51

"
If there's no bin in the bathroom, then it's safe to assume it's OK to put the used tampon - or indeed any rubbish - in an alternative bin."

Maybe in your house, but not necessarily in others'. A few on here have said guests are expected to carry it home in their handbags. How do you know which person is which?

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 20:53

" just asking me!"

What if you've popped out? Not every one of your friends might be comfortable asking your DH.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 20:56

"You were staying with friends and you couldn't just ask them?
You wouldn't even have to mention periods - which bin should I used for general waste that can't be recycled?"

You would have to mention periods, because people might not want used sanpro in the kitchen bin. Also the people you're staying with might not be comfortable talking about periods. Many men and older people aren't.

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 21:01

This seems unbelievably complicated.

We just have a kitchen bin, and we also have friends and guests regularly.

Of course they must use the bin, but I really don't notice, as it's just not something I scrutinise. People just put stuff in the bin that needs going in the bin. Confused

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 21:04

I mean, yes the host might have popped out, or yes they might be a man or an older person.

But is this really happening SO frequently that it's actually a real problem in people's lives...?

I don't understand the unnecessary drama that's being created.

Alternatively, use a mooncup - you're helping the environment - and you're not forced to run the gauntlet of husbands and old people zealously guarding their bins... 👍

MollyHuaCha · 23/01/2017 21:11

I thought of this thread yesterday when I spent the day visiting elderly relatives. No bin in either the separate toilet or bathroom next door. I shoved wrapped used sanny up my sleeve and then had to discreetly get it into my handbag which I hadn't taken to the loo with me, all whilst trying to dodge the gaze of houseful of visitors. No suitable bin was located anywhere else in the house. In the kitchen, as I refilled crisp and nibbles bowls, I asked elderly hostess where I should put empty crisp packets. 'Oh just leave them on the draining board, dear,' she replied. I guess she wouldn't have really wanted my personal rubbish on her draining board too, so it stayed in my handbag. It was a 'heavy' day and I stayed till evening by which time my poor handbag was bulging Confused

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 21:22

That's really not great Molly - but again, no bin in the entire house is surely incredibly rare.

If it were happening to you every day, I'd understand the annoyance - but the chances of being on your heaviest period day plus visiting someone who happens to be elderly and they have NO bin...?

I means that's not going to be a regular occurrence for most people, such that this present a real and present problem.

MyWineTime · 23/01/2017 21:28

If you are in someone else's bathroom and there is a bin, use it.
If there is no bin, either take it to a different bin or take it home, don't whine that everyone should have a bathroom bin. You're a grown up, this is entirely your problem, deal with it. Not everyone will have one no matter how much you complain.

I cannot believe how much fuss some people are making over this. You have periods for a significant proportion of your life but you can't cope if every bathroom you might ever visit doesn't have a bin! If this causes you so much angst, be more organised yourself.

Agree with TheDowager with unnecessary drama and the mooncup Grin

NotLadyPrickshit · 23/01/2017 21:37

I googled the mooncup out of sheer curiosity... after 3 kids that wee thing would fall out if I sneezed Blush

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 21:39

I mean, little annoyances and inconveniences are just a part of life.

Work haven't had Earl Grey tea in for a week now. The coffee, regular tea and hot chocolate drinkers are all being catered for. Why are my needs not also being met by someone not wholly invested in my personal needs?!

Don't we just deal with it, and get on with life?

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 22:07

"use a mooncup - you're helping the environment - and you're not forced to run the gauntlet of husbands and old people zealously guarding their bins.."

I can't use a mooncup and I'm not the only one (have tried, believe me).

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 22:12

"but the chances of being on your heaviest period day plus visiting someone who happens to be elderly and they have NO bin...? "

I think a couple on here have said they don't have inside bins as well. My parents have their outside and in the garage. We have periods about 5 days a month for forty years so there are plenty of chance for that to happen.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 22:13

"Work haven't had Earl Grey tea in for a week now. The coffee, regular tea and hot chocolate drinkers are all being catered for. Why are my needs not also being met by someone not wholly invested in my personal needs?! "

How is a PREFERENCE for Earl Grey tea in any way comparable with the NEED to deal with sanpro?

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 22:23

Oh gosh, it's just an example of an inconvenience or annoyance - it was a bit light-hearted!

What exactly do you want to happen? Mandatory bathroom bins for all houses, just because it's your preference?

MollyHuaCha · 23/01/2017 22:29

The couple whose home I was at for most of Sunday have a bin in the garden shut away in its own little shed. No wash basin in the toilet room either. Just as well I don't use a moon cup... Grin

MyWineTime · 23/01/2017 23:06

I've never met anyone who doesn't have a bin inside their house at all, however, when I used disposable sanpro I carried a nappy sack with my pads and I have always kept a carrier bag in my bag.

Your periods are yours to deal with, you can't expect other people's bins to be set up in a way to suit you. It seems to cause so many of you SO much stress having to rely on other people. It's a level of stress I have never experienced.

MyWineTime · 23/01/2017 23:09

Just as well I don't use a moon cup
You don't need a sink to empty a mooncup - it's useful, but not essential.
Empty the mooncup, wipe it with tissue, put it back in, wipe fingers. Go to bathroom and wash hands.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 23:29

"What exactly do you want to happen? Mandatory bathroom bins for all houses, just because it's your preference?"

Well, it can never be mandatory, but maybe more awareness might make people more considerate and make bins more usual.

TheDowagerCuntess · 23/01/2017 23:39

If people want bins in their bathroom, they'll have a bin in the bathroom. If they don't see the need, then the occasional guest's need isn't going to change things.

Given that the trauma of not encountering a bathroom bin is so great for some, you think they'd prepare themselves for the eventuality. It's really easy to, after all. Instead, they prefer to faff about, and blame others.

Meanwhile, most people just get on with things and cope just fine.

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 23:46

" If they don't see the need, then the occasional guest's need isn't going to change things."

I disagree. Some people are considerate of guests. I will not go to great lengths for guests, but I do have coffee even though I'm a tea drinker, and having a hot drink is less important than having to deal with body functions. Many people have spare towels that can be used by guests, etc. and some of those people might be willing to have a bin once they've thought about it.

hollinhurst84 · 23/01/2017 23:54

I have a bathroom bin and a load of spare sanitary stuff. Friends know to help themselves if they need anything. Use the bin, use the sink to wash out reusable, knock yourself out Grin I'm the most laid back host ever

Gwenhwyfar · 23/01/2017 23:59

Good to hear hollin.
I was under the impression those that didn't have bins just hadn't thought about it and would get one once they could put themselves in a woman visitor's shoes, but no...

hollinhurst84 · 23/01/2017 23:59

For laid back read lazy Wink my friends make themselves drinks and rummage through my fridge to make food Grin