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a wee problem

(72 Posts)
petunia Wed 27-Mar-19 20:44:26

Can we speak of toilets? Those open for the public to use. Specifically the design of them.

This all came to a head for me as I took our three year old GC to the loo recently. I opened the cubicle door to see that the door just cleared the toilet bowl. Tricky. I then manoeuvred small grandchild around the bowl into the corner and then squeezed myself in. There were no hooks for coats, bags etc.

Sorted GC out with the wee situation but struggled to pull up the layers of clothing in a confined space, avoiding touching the bowl or trailing stuff on the damp floor.

Used the facility myself. Was mid flow when GC decided to run free. Loo door swung open, several bystanders turned to look at the commotion as I rose from the loo, knickers at half mast, trying to grab the retreating grandchild's arm while simultaneously clutching the door.

Got the door shut. GC on the inside. Pulled up my knickers. Turned to see GC lifting the lid of the sanitary bin. Sigh

So, two things strike me.

1. I must have some seriously good bladder control to stop mid flow.
2. Why are toilets for the use of the public so badly designed and poky?

Even without a mini Houdini, using the loo outside the home is fraught with irritations.

fluttERBY123 Thu 28-Mar-19 16:38:32

What annoys me most is the mega toilet rolls where you have to poke down and up inside groping forever for the end so you can roll some off - designed by a man, no doubt.

Franbern Thu 28-Mar-19 17:09:33

Can't remember where it is (definitely in England), but last year, whilst on a coach trip, the eating place we stopped at, went to the loo and there were TWO toilets side by side. Thought what an excellent idea for Mums and Children. The friend with me thought it was hilarious, took a photo to share!!

crazyH Thu 28-Mar-19 17:29:12

Good bladder control Petunia . I used to be like that, but since I read somewhere that bladders should be emptied as often as you can, not just when "bursting", I go as often as I remember .

Saggi Thu 28-Mar-19 17:57:03

Not to mention the shiver that goes down my spine if I’m withh my grandson who’s 10 and he says he wants to use the public toilets . Do I drag him kicking and screaming into the ladies or let him go in the men’s loo. It’s been a worry for a while now. I dread him walking into gents Lois and always tell him to use the cubicle.

Funnygran Thu 28-Mar-19 17:59:03

Yes, the mega loo rolls annoy me too and I usually resort to finding a tissue in my bag in frustration. We have recently had a touring holiday in Chile. On one very long day we stopped in a small village to use the public toilets. On the wall by the wash basins was a large toilet roll holder. It was only after the first lady in the group went into a cubicle that we realised you were supposed to pull off the paper before you went in! Reminded me of school from years ago.

Grandmama Thu 28-Mar-19 18:12:34

Were they unisex loos, Petunia? Hope not. shock

MooM00 Thu 28-Mar-19 19:02:47

I took my grandson to the toilet in an M&S store he must have been about 4, because of the toilet being small I let him go in on his own whilst I waited outside. A queue of People were behind me when my grandson shouted grandma have you got a willy I said no he then said have you got a foo foo then.

Bellanonna Thu 28-Mar-19 19:06:32

I wonder why he said that from inside the loo? confused

Littleannie Thu 28-Mar-19 19:45:35

The loos I used in Greece once were manned by a very old man, sitting on a chair inside the door. He solemnly handed me one sheet of toilet paper as I went in. When I came out of the cubicle he was literally right outside the door. He grabbed my arm and walked me over to the washbasins where he mimed hand washing.

mrswoo Thu 28-Mar-19 20:35:07

I once had a horrendous experience in a Sainsbury’s loo. I put my handbag on the sanitary bin as there was no hook to hang it and the floor was awash. As I was leaving I grabbed my bag and somehow the straps got caught in the lid and pulled the bin over sending contents and a vile smelling liquid ( which was most probably disinfectant) all over the floor. Awful, just awful.

Speldnan Thu 28-Mar-19 20:54:32

Totally agree about cramped toilets and GC. I try to take them into baby changing ones or disabled where there’s room for 1 or even 2 GC plus Nanny. The GC all hate the loud hand driers, I think it actually hurts their young sensitive hearing.

trendygran Thu 28-Mar-19 21:16:27

Have become much more aware of the state of public loos since having a stoma as a result of a colostomy. The Colostomy Society suggests that the loos should have a hook and a shelf at the very least to enable dealing with the stoma bag.So far ,in nine months,I have only found that M and S and Our Shopping Centre main loos have a hook. Never seen a shelf in any of them.
We are given keys for disabled loos, but several people have reported being shouted ,or even sworn at for using one! A ‘hidden disability’ is not recognised ,especiallly by some who believe only those in wheelchairs are disabled. Loos in this country do leave a lot to be desired for everyone-not just those with young children or babies as well as the disabled.

Skinnylizzie Thu 28-Mar-19 22:02:25

grin

Nanna58 Thu 28-Mar-19 23:04:21

On a safari holiday men and women’s toileting arrangements very unequal, the men wee’d at the back of the jeep with the Ranger and his gun next to them, women were sent round the back of a large termite mound and told to ‘ be on high alert’ So scary I most definitely didn’t need help going to the loo!!?????

CW52 Fri 29-Mar-19 00:46:54

I was mid flow when my grandson decided to crawl out under the gap in the door ?

glammagran Fri 29-Mar-19 10:07:55

B9exchange - that photo has made my day. We returned from Thailand last night (after exhausting 22 hours door to door) and our hotel certainly did not have such prestigious bathroom arrangements

hereshoping Sat 30-Mar-19 09:45:50

In my younger days I hitch hiked through Yugoslavia. In a public loo there, you had to squat over a hole beneath the disconcerting gaze of a huge portrait of President Tito.
My daughter once moved into a house where a loo area had been built off the kitchen, but the partition wall was built of those see through glass bricks.

Rufus2 Sat 30-Mar-19 11:36:37

I think toilets are designed by men on paper
Bijou; You've obviously got "Englishmen" in your sights grin Here in OZ I've taken to borrowing the shopping centre's electric scooter and therefore able to use the "disabled" facilities. Always immaculate! The door design is excellent! You press the green button, the door slides open sideways, enter, press the black button and the door slides shut and automatically locks, so obviously only one user. Exit by pressing the red button. Eliminates hand contact of door which in normal loos occurs after users have, or have not, washed hands.
Simple! grin

eazybee Sat 30-Mar-19 12:56:39

Make the most of them, however small. Here in a holiday destination in the south coast the council have closed public lavatories by the bus station, the Quay, the waterfront, the public gardens, but have posted helpful notices about the local shops, theatre, cinema etc you can use instead. Really good on an evening or Sunday.

crazyH Sat 30-Mar-19 13:03:35

Moo moo ....you've got a foofoo ?
Nanna58 .....my dream holiday would be a safari in Africa...lucky you !

Barmeyoldbat Sat 30-Mar-19 20:09:31

Suggest you use the disabled toilets, they have much more room