Who cares? Almost every restroom we used in Europe, from the cafe in Germany to the Palace of Versailles, had unisex bathrooms. And since almost every one also had an attendant and a fee, they were spotless and efficient. I'd love it if we Americans adopted this! I'd be happy to pay 50 cents or a dollar for a clean, safe, unisex bathroom! And by the way - if you have an infant or small child, it is free. Frequently, they have a separate, family bathroom, often with a nice chair and a large, low sink.
I do not know about you, Anonymous at May 25,8:02 AM, but as a woman I do not want to urinate with men listening in the same restroom. Unisex restrooms are fine if they are singular and can be locked and are sound proof. We have many of those in the United States, but not all places can afford them because they have a great deal of workers or people using them. Evidently, each place needs at least one unisex restroom to solve problems such as this, but no man should be allowed in a women's restroom that cannot be locked. It is far too dangerous for women.
But that is exactly what I am talking about in Europe - it was just like you envision a women's restroom in the US, except everyone uses them. Some of them had a row of urinals around a corner from the stalls. I just don't see an issue with this for busy public restrooms. Obviously, smaller, less-frequented establishments could have single-occupant restrooms that lock. But in a crowded place where everyone is going to do the same thing, it makes no difference to me if it is a gent or a lady next door.
Another take on the subject: http://academic.stedwards.edu/angers/?p=283
After what you told me Anonymous at 6:54 PM, especially about the "urinals" around the cornor, I do not think I will ever go to Europe unless I am dragged there. I am more modest than that. I have accidentally gone into a men's but ran out fast once I realized the mistake. Also, if you have to pay for them, what happens if you are out of cash or coins? We used to have very clean restrooms in California and still do in most places, and we do not have to pay. Some that got dirty, though, happened just before the stores went bankrupt and closed down.
I am a married woman, who travels in Europe with my family of 6. Which is why I pointed out that they often have free bathrooms for families with small children. And no, I have no problem taking my kids in to pee with people of the opposite sex. Much more convenient for both parents to be able to go in than it is in the US where my husband gets dirty looks for taking a girl into a men's room.
Annonymous at 8:27PM, considering that the article is about a person who is multilating his body, the question was a very rational one to ask you. Also, you could have been just a man who likes to peek in women's restrooms for all anyone knows. No one knows who or what you are, and you do not seem to be very modest.
Sooooo...the fact that you don't mind doing your business with a man two feet away in the next stall means all women should be forced to accept it? I think most women, particularly young ones, would find that very uncomfortable. But maybe the loss of modesty is so advanced that I'm wrong.
Who cares? Almost every restroom we used in Europe, from the cafe in Germany to the Palace of Versailles, had unisex bathrooms. And since almost every one also had an attendant and a fee, they were spotless and efficient. I'd love it if we Americans adopted this! I'd be happy to pay 50 cents or a dollar for a clean, safe, unisex bathroom! And by the way - if you have an infant or small child, it is free. Frequently, they have a separate, family bathroom, often with a nice chair and a large, low sink.
ReplyDeleteI do not know about you, Anonymous at May 25,8:02 AM, but as a woman I do not want to urinate with men listening in the same restroom. Unisex restrooms are fine if they are singular and can be locked and are sound proof. We have many of those in the United States, but not all places can afford them because they have a great deal of workers or people using them. Evidently, each place needs at least one unisex restroom to solve problems such as this, but no man should be allowed in a women's restroom that cannot be locked. It is far too dangerous for women.
ReplyDeleteBut that is exactly what I am talking about in Europe - it was just like you envision a women's restroom in the US, except everyone uses them. Some of them had a row of urinals around a corner from the stalls. I just don't see an issue with this for busy public restrooms. Obviously, smaller, less-frequented establishments could have single-occupant restrooms that lock. But in a crowded place where everyone is going to do the same thing, it makes no difference to me if it is a gent or a lady next door.
ReplyDeleteAnother take on the subject:
http://academic.stedwards.edu/angers/?p=283
After what you told me Anonymous at 6:54 PM, especially about the "urinals" around the cornor, I do not think I will ever go to Europe unless I am dragged there. I am more modest than that. I have accidentally gone into a men's but ran out fast once I realized the mistake. Also, if you have to pay for them, what happens if you are out of cash or coins? We used to have very clean restrooms in California and still do in most places, and we do not have to pay. Some that got dirty, though, happened just before the stores went bankrupt and closed down.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous on May 25 at 6:54PM, are you a man or woman or in between?
ReplyDeleteI am a married woman, who travels in Europe with my family of 6. Which is why I pointed out that they often have free bathrooms for families with small children. And no, I have no problem taking my kids in to pee with people of the opposite sex. Much more convenient for both parents to be able to go in than it is in the US where my husband gets dirty looks for taking a girl into a men's room.
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of question was that, anyway? Tsk, tsk.
Annonymous at 8:27PM, considering that the article is about a person who is multilating his body, the question was a very rational one to ask you. Also, you could have been just a man who likes to peek in women's restrooms for all anyone knows. No one knows who or what you are, and you do not seem to be very modest.
ReplyDeleteAnd my point was that it doesn't matter to me if there is a man in a women's restroom. End of story.
ReplyDeleteSooooo...the fact that you don't mind doing your business with a man two feet away in the next stall means all women should be forced to accept it? I think most women, particularly young ones, would find that very uncomfortable. But maybe the loss of modesty is so advanced that I'm wrong.
ReplyDelete