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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Toilets are for paying customers only?!

94 replies

JackieNext · 03/08/2021 11:28

I ordered myself a nice brunch at this cafe nearby.

Lovely food. I went up to pay after I'd finished and then asked if I could use their loo before I left?

I was told 'Sorry, toilets are for paying customers only'. I said I just ate a meal here and paid? He said 'Sorry, if you want to use the toilet you'll have to buy something else and then go'

I ordered a can of drink because I was bloody bursting and couldn't wait to faff!

AIBU to think this is unacceptable customer service? I had already paid for a meal! Same bloke that I paid the meal for, I asked for the loo with him so he knows I had eaten here already

OP posts:

SilverGlassHare · 03/08/2021 12:00

Yes, why did you need to ask? It's totally unreasonable of him, though - I'd have asked to speak to the manager I think.

BikeRunSki · 03/08/2021 12:00

This is what trip advisor is for!

Neondisco · 03/08/2021 12:01

This is madness

SpiderinaWingMirror · 03/08/2021 12:01

I would have just used it! Completely understand their reasoning as they have to pay the water bill but if you have literally finished a meal, well you are a customer! One cafe I use has a combination pad on the loo and they write the number for that day on your receipt.

MaggieFS · 03/08/2021 12:01

Batshit. One for tripadvisor!

SpiderinaWingMirror · 03/08/2021 12:03

But I wouldn't take to TripAdvisor. Unless it's a fair review of the food and a tip to other customers to make sure you go first!

LocalHobo · 03/08/2021 12:03

I hate it when people wander in from the street and use the facilities in a café but this situation is bonkers! Definitely hightlight the issue to the owner of the business.

BSideBaby · 03/08/2021 12:03

I don't really understand what happened here. You ate in a cafe, paid, then needed to use the loo but then felt obliged to buy a drink because a man told you you couldn't use it otherwise? Was he blocking the door? I don't understand why you weren't able to assert yourself?

Cherrysoup · 03/08/2021 12:04

That’s completely ridiculous. You’re supposed to only pee during your meal?! Jobsworth!

Aposterhasnoname · 03/08/2021 12:04

You sure he wasn’t one of these twats who thinks he’s hilarious, “joking” with female customers. Fifty quid says he wouldn’t have said that to bloke.

PigeonPink · 03/08/2021 12:05

Not sure why you needed to ask permission? If you’re asking permission then the answer could equally be yes or no.

budgun · 03/08/2021 12:05

Why did you ask to use the toilet? I don't think I have ever done this in a cafe. It's a given that the toilets are for customers to use

BiscuitDrama · 03/08/2021 12:05

He’s definitely got confused there.

Lanique · 03/08/2021 12:07

Wtf? He sound seriously thick.

Did he expect you to either take your food into the loo with you after buying it or leave it on the table while you went?!?!

FamishedAtAnAirport · 03/08/2021 12:07

Did you pay for the drink before going to the toilet?

Because I don't see any difference between that and paying for your meal before going to the toilet.

What an arse. (Him, not you)

Orf1abc · 03/08/2021 12:08

Silly answer to a silly question?

We don't have context until we know why you felt the need to ask permission.

Flowers500 · 03/08/2021 12:08

Make a complaint and demand a refund. Also post a review of them, that’s bullshit

lastcall · 03/08/2021 12:09

I would have turned around and loudly announced to everyone sat there eating: "Make sure you use the toilets before you pay for your meal. We've literally just finished a meal, came up to pay, and asked to use the toilets before we leave. They've said no as we're not paying customers and want us to buy something else before we use them."

What an arsehole. Leave a shitty review for him about it.

Svalberg · 03/08/2021 12:12

To all of those saying just use it, toilets can be hidden away if it's an unfamiliar cafe, and we'll over half the ones that I use have a keypad for access now, so you need the code

caughtinanet · 03/08/2021 12:12

Why so many asking why she didn't just use the loo? Loads of places you have to ask for a key or a code to stop people walking in off the street just to use the loo

How is that the main point to pick up on?

If he's not the owner I'd complain to that person, if he is then trip advisor to warn others to time their loo visits wisely would be the way to go

Fiddliestofsticks · 03/08/2021 12:13

Was he the owner? This would piss me off enough to leave a review on TripAdvisor and their Facebook page if they have one, and go back to speak to the actual owner about their ridiculous policy.

You were a paying customer. You hadn't left the premises. Why didn't you just go and use the toilet?

DinosaurDiana · 03/08/2021 12:13

Yes, complain. Not acceptable.

ohthatbloodycat · 03/08/2021 12:13

That's shocking!

C8H10N4O2 · 03/08/2021 12:16

@Svalberg

To all of those saying just use it, toilets can be hidden away if it's an unfamiliar cafe, and we'll over half the ones that I use have a keypad for access now, so you need the code

But they are (in the UK at least) obliged to provide lavatory facilities to customers so the question is not "may I use the loo?" but "where is your loo/please provide the access code?"

budgun · 03/08/2021 12:16

Why so many asking why she didn't just use the loo? Loads of places you have to ask for a key or a code to stop people walking in off the street just to use the loo

I suppose people are making the natural assumption that there was no key or code became OP said 'asked to use the loo' not 'asked for code/key for toilet'

How is that the main point to pick up on?

Because if OP didn't ask she would simply have used the toilet. It's relevant.

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