To be annoyed at the lack of bathrooms

[Applecharm25]

I have my period. I can feel that i need to change my tampon.

I'm out walking round my city. There are no public bathrooms anywhere near me.

I see a sign for a bathroom in a small shopping centre near me. I walk in. The bathroom is actually in a shop. I'm told that the bathroom is only available for paying customers.

So now I have to get in a long queue and wait further and buy something while I really need to change my tampon.

Surely there should be better toilet services available.

Absolutely. Use of "bathroom" always throws me, and makes me wonder why people need to have a bath when they're out and about.

I do agree that there needs to be more public loos but if I'm changing a tampon or pad I prefer to have the option of full toilet facilities. I don't think a tampon changing cubicle would be very popular.

Maybe OP is a man... don't think I've ever changed a tampon without using the toilet at the same time 🤔 didn't need a special tampon changing hut though. Just a regular toilet!

I've now read "change my tampon" so many times that it has lost all meaning.

In the city allegedly 😂OP which city are you in? Just so we know to stay clear when we're on our period!

So you changed it standing up? Isn’t that a bit awkward? It’s very much easier if you can sit down.

It's called a toilet. Period changing facilities? No, thanks. You sound a bit ott.

You have to pay to use the toilet in Costa

Not here you don’t. There are two Costas - both free. I don’t imagine they have different policies.

Seems like since a "tampon changing room" would need privacy, loo roll, disposal box and handwashing facilities, @Applecharm25 has just invented a less useful version of what is already there in the ladies loos, but with the added risk of getting partway through the operation then realising you probably should have gone to a cubicle with a loo in it as well. (A possibility that increases with age and childbearing...)

Of course those of us who are lucky enough to be able to use menstrual cups instead of tampons will need a way to sluice the blood away as well. But not, obviously, anything that could be used for peeing into, because that's not what the Tampon Room is for!

I thought that. Also much easier if you can sit on actual toilet to do it too.

Yeah I work regularly in 3 big cities and often go to Costa. Not one has ever charged for using the toilet. They usually say 'customers only' but they can't really police that anyway.

Maybe it's different in OPs weird and wonderful city where they have signs pointing to the 'bathroom' in a shopping centre only it turns out to be in one shop in the shopping centre (also not a thing)😳

I’ve never heard an American say the word bathroom except when viewing or discussing houses with a realtor! It’s restroom there always I’ve found

This thread 🤣🤣🤣

I’m not in UK but there’s a big lack of public toilets/loos/bathrooms/WC’s in my city. None in our M&S either. Off the top of my head, two of the shopping centres have no public toilets/loos/bathrooms/WC’s and the other has a turnstile you have to put coins in, which I never have on me.

I go into hotels and use the toilet/loo/bathrooms/WC in the lobby. Usually the larger hotels are so busy anyway and the doors have no codes.

In theory yes, there should be more. However I used to work in a supermarket where we had public loos and the way they were treated were awful! We didn't have cleaners 24/7 so if there was a proper state left in one we had to close them off as 'out of order' until it could be properly cleaned which seemed to be at least twice a week. We're talking blood everywhere from a messy tampon change/dirty nappies/urine splashed across the walls 🤢 I can see why businesses don't want to put in customer loos!

But that’s the issue, you have to rely on business toilet facilities which a lot of people who are not paying customers do, how is this fair on businesses, the general public using their premises as if it is a public service

I have never in my life changed a tampon sitting down!!

Tampons aside it is really important that all people can access a toilet when out and about. Unfortunately where I live drug users have made the public toilets appalling, but there are cafes, supermarkets, the library etc with a toilet. What city are you in that has none of these things... so I can avoid it.
With a hidden disability I always try and make sure I know where the nearest loo is.

Our town seems to be blessed with many toilets. Currently in the library which has plenty. To get to my busstop I walk past Cineworld... always a nice clean loo in there. Then an M&S, John Lewis, Waterstones with cafe, and shopping arcade (all no purchases needed). There are a few (6 - SIX! ) coffee shops, KFC, McDonalds, a burrito sit down place and a Weatherspoons and another pub too. I'd probably buy something if the other toilets in town were closed.
Costa and coffee#1 here don't need a code. Don't know about the others.

Agree. This is why I got a radar key

I am in the UK and understand perfectly what you mean by bathroom in this context - why are people focusing on that?? It's not point of the post at all.

It is a shame their aren't as many public toilets now and it affects women and the elderly and disabled the most. If really stuck I would slip into an self seating eating establishment. Buy a drink after if you want to.

Our local is 'free', but any I've come across in London you need a code on your receipt! I think it depends on how 'rough' or busy the area is.

I agree, OP.

I remember in the pandemic and things had just about reopened, my daughter went to an athletics event. The public toilets were shut there. I went into the local town, McDonalds was only serving people through a hatch and there were no toilets, I went into a tiny indoor shopping centre with no toilets, then into an Asda. Toilets were out of order, someone had broken in through the plastic barrier. I was beginning to understand how they felt. Finally I found a Costa and went into a filthy loo, but such relief.

It's horrible generally trying to find toilets in unfamiliar towns but was made worse by the situation.

But given that you had such a hard time finding a loo in the first place, did you not even try a wee?? 😆

BTW, I spend a lot of time with toddlers...

I've never saw a sign (in the UK) for toilets that said bathroom. Never.

The poster you've quoted took your terminology to mean you weren't in the UK, so it was relevant/mattered thus (other countries may have more public toilets). They weren't pulling you up.

I think your tone is rude (and I think 'period rooms' is a horrible idea 🤢).

I always need a pee when I change a tampon. Often it opens the floodgates...

Can't imagine going to change it and finding nowhere to pee.