What's Your Opinion? Vol. 1- Washroom Attendants

[blackcauldron85]

I've decided to start weekly (?) opinion threads on here. I only decided this a second ago, haha, after reading an article.

What's your opinion on...

Washroom attendants?

You go to a club or a bar for a fun evening. You have to use the restroom. You do your business and then are handed a paper towel. You see a container with change in it. You realize that you're expected to give this person a tip. You could've just grabbed yourself a paper towel like you always do in public bathrooms! What the *$#%!?!

I don't have much experience with washroom attendants, but a couple times in nicer hotels (maybe at WDW, when just looking around, not staying there, or for Bobby's work Christmas parties maybe), I've experienced people cleaning up the bathroom or whatever, so I'm not sure if they were actual washroom attendants or not, but I didn't tip them. But, a few months ago at the House of Blues, I was at a concert and ended up getting sick in the bathroom. I mean, I didn't make a mess at all, but I had gone in there a couple times (Hanson makes me feel ill, I just can't help it), and so I did leave maybe a $1 tip...?

I don't like the idea of washroom attendants. It's one thing to tip a waiter or waitress; you're not allowed to go into the kitchen to get your own drinks and food! But in a public bathroom, you're allowed to wash your own hands and grab your own paper towels!

I'll post a link to an article that I just read. It says that part of the role of the washroom attendant is to combat drug use. I agree with some of the commenters in the fact that the club or bar security officers should be the ones to deal with that, since they're trained and are a paid staff member. Washroom attendants, at least from what was mentioned in the article, work for tips only, not an actual wage. For those people, yeah, if you need some income, this is better than nothing. But for the patrons, we don't want to pay for something that we can do for free. I mean, it should be like valet parking- if you don't want to pay for the valet parking, then you just park farther away yourself for free.

Here's the link to the article:

Who'd be a toilet attendant?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7335315.stm

Thoughts, comments, questions, concerns?

[Sotiris]

I agree with you. Washroom attendants are useless.

[Lazario]

If I ever go into the bathroom and I find someone in there is looking at me or waiting to assist me in any way, I'm leaving that place... The bathroom, public or not, is not a room where we need a staff present while patrons are using it. If I ever come out of a stall and find someone there who approaches me - guaranteed that person is going on a one-way trip to the hospital. It's that simple.

Using the restroom is a private thing and these guards are not going to save anyone's lives. Who cares if people do drugs in these bathrooms? Are we meant to believe there is some out of control epidemic of cocaine and heroin addict drivers killing people? No- it's alcohol that people are ingesting before killing people with their cars. What could their excuse possibly be? Insurance? How exactly are these people responsible for scum doing drugs in their bathroom?

Do Americans have any right to privacy anymore?

[Elladorine]

I don't think I've ever had to deal with them and I must say I'd rather not.

[ajmrowland]

^same here. They're totally unneeded.

Still creates jobs, though, but not really a job at all.

[Mayhem]

I don't like them either... yeah we have them here in the UK too...

[Luke]

I wish I had more to add but I think a simple "Me too" will do now. A bathroom attendant basically ensures your brief visit will be awkward/uncomfortable.

[DarthPrime]

The few bathrooms I've been to that had attendants were insanely clean, which is a good thing.

[PeterPanfan]

Yes, they definitely provide nothing more than to showcase the high-class resteraunt.

They are very awkward, to say the least.

[Lazario]

Now that I think of it...

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This whole thing reminds me of Edina Monsoon's classic "stupid people" speech.

[Siren]

I dunno, what's there to be modest about? We all gotta use the toilet. People are gonna see and hear you anyways. Do you really think the attendant cares that you farted or took a real long time? Its not a glamorous job, or likely a job they go home and talk about at the dinner table. As already said, it gives people jobs.

I've gone in bathrooms with attendants. I barely notice them. I also notice the bathrooms with attendants.....always clean, soap dispenser is full, and toilet paper is always in there. Never smells bad.

Also, tipping is acceptable. One place I went to, forget where it was, but the attendant had a little corner with a chair, a few books to read, their tables were all dressed up with a table cloth and little trinkets and the like. There was a tip jar. She made quite a bit in tips. They aren't paid much, usually min wage. Most the ladies who worked there were single moms. I'm all for supporting single parents. I'm all for keeping the unemployment rate from rising higher because "they are useless".

[Lazario]

Do you really think the attendant cares that you farted or took a real long time? Its not likely a job they go home and talk about at the dinner table.

Keep telling yourself that.