Public toilets

They are dire aren't they. Smelly, dank and often lacking soap or hand drying facilities.

I gather it is in some ways worse if you are a chap as they can be haunted by "cottagers". At least women don't have that to contend with.

Worse in some countries and so much better in New Zealand. They are obviously a priority there and you find them in all kinds of unexpected places - on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere for instance. Only about 5% are grimy and most really good. If they have a beach near they often have a changing area with benches and sometimes a shower. (They have these in Australia too). But then you do get a feeling sometimes in NZ that you are in a parallel universe UK that never had a Thatcher or a Blair.

It must be a real pain here in UK if you have a greater than average need to use loos. Most of us prefer to hang on, or find a handy hedge I suspect. My sister's tip is if you are driving and desperate pull over, open both passenger doors and (assuming you are in the countryside) you are well screened by them.

My ex-MP, Phyllis Starkey took up the cudgels on this one during the previous parliament. So maybe we should complain to our MPs and see if we can inspire someone to take over from her.

I hate using public toilets...mainly because they are so unhygienic - but 'needs must'. It can be a real problem finding a loo and I have been known to use McDonalds facilities in towns.
I keep a small washing up bowl, a large towel (to drape over myself), loo roll and a big bottle of water in the car. It's quite easy, even in a crowded car park, to put the towel over your knee, slip the bowl under and away you go. Empty the bowl in the nearest hedge and rinse with water. I did once try the tip given by JessM , we were in a very secluded country lane (so we thought) and a large coach drove by and all the passengers could easily see me AND they all looked! I was mortified but saw the funny side.

lucid, you reminded me of an aunt who got 'caught short' and she went into a nearby field from the parked car. Suddenly a touring bus passed and she raised herslef slightly and waddled around the field gathering flowers at the same time as weeing!!.............the grass was high apparently. Public loos, as was said, if you gotta go - you gotta go. Kleenex tissues and small hand wash is a must in my bag and it covers all eventualities. I soon learned that if you can go to the outside loos in Bali - you'll go anywhere!

Not all toilets are dire. I must admit there are some clean ones, but I agree that the perception is that they are pretty awful. I'd be interested to know more about your experiences eg where these dire toilets are and who runs them - council run, or by an organisation such as at a place of interest,

I have to admit that toilets are an interest of mine as I'm a member of the British Toilet Association which campaigns for well maintained, safe and accessible public toilets I've also worked with the police on a booklet suggesting ways of discouraging vandalism, cottaging etc in public loos.

I find travelling difficult because of the lack of toilets - or lack of information about toilet availability in brochures, and I would like to compile a list of GOOD or at least ACCEPTABLE toilets - the terminology would have to be defined of course. Any thoughts anyone?

Also, what do you do if your grandchildren need the loo when you're out?

We generally throw the potty in the boot when we go out, no matter how many times you ask them to use the loo before you leave they will usually need to go as soon as you get going.

lucid - your message made me laugh out loud. Once upon a time, I was working in a tiny shop without running water [so no lavatory.] The fellow who lived in the flat above the shop used to pop in from time to time so that I may use his bathroom. On one occasion he was away and I was desperate "to go" as the village public conveniences were out of action. The shop had the weeniest dark cupboard in the entire world...big enough for a vacuum cleaner, folded cardboard boxes, carrier bags and some large spiders. I emptied an enormous vase used for artificial flower displays, locked the door of the shop, squeezed into the dark cupboard and wee-weed into the vase. Bliss! Someone tried the door of the shop and when at last I emerged from the said cupboard - with the vase - I opened the door and said rather sheepishly..."just changing the flower water..." The customer looked bemused as she spotted the silk flowers waiting to be displayed.

Oh brilliant supernana!
No not all public loos are dire, its true. There are very lovely ones in my local shopping centre but they are run by the shopping centre management not the council.
I get more irked when there are just not enough. e.g. a hotel that holds large functions but only has 3 ladies cubicles on the whole of the ground floor. Much swearing about architects while queueing out of the door. Or when the cubicles are tiny. There is one small airport on these islands that has just the one tiny loo when you get off the plane. After a 2 hour flight a dozen women want to go. In that case the architect was my brother in law so I was able to give him the feedback directly.
I saw some signposted "WCs" the other day, in a National Trust property. I wonder how many young people would know what that meant. They were very nice and in keeping with the ambience, with Fired Earth taps if you please!

I have invested in a product from www.amazon.co.uk/Traveljohn-66918B-TravelJohn-Disposable-Urinal/dp/B0019M7VE6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top called traveljohn - a pack of 3 for £5.15..

It is essentially a soft strong plastic bag with a cup-shape attached to the open top. Inside is that gel they put into nappies.It absorbs up to 800mls and stays completely dry. It "zips up" and can be disposed of into the nearest bin (or reused until you reach 800 ml ).

Some reviewers do say that for girls it does need to be held in place fairly firmly, and a practice at home in the bathroom first is a good idea, but it sounds brilliant. Have not had to use it yet, but like the boys scouts I am now fully prepared.

Check it out at least - no charge for looking.

What is the point of the seemingly new idea for toilets to be larger and combined with their own washbasins and hand-dryers in each cubicle? The whole process takes much longer than having individual toilets with washbasins and dryers in the area outside. Having said that, I have found that the cleanliness of toilets has improved tremendously over the last few years

We have a 'Community Toilet Scheme'. Local cafes, pubs and shops let you use their facilities without feeling obliged to make a purchase. There are about 100 firms in the scheme and you can get a list from the library. Lobby your local council.

That is a great idea!

by the way...

The Tent, the Bucket and Me is a hilarious account of family camping in the 1970s - with a lot of I need to wee related humour. Rarely has a book made me laugh out load as much as this one. Still available from amazon.

Elegran, a few years ago, when I suffered from a bladder problem, that product would have been a life saver. Thankfully surgery has solved the problem.

What about cinemas and theatres? The queue for the ladies was so long at a matinee once that a group of us once took over the Gents as well (with a husband "guardian" outside to explain the problem) as otherwise we would never have got into the 2nd half of the show. Luckily all the men were reasonably sympathetic.
They need at least TWICE as many Ladies as Gents.

I do so agree, but then most of the architects that plan these buildings are men - - - -

Supernan - you definitely live somewhere sensible. Some time a go there was mention of this sort of scheme being rolled out all round the country but as is with most good ideas, it's found it's way to the 'tip'. I am sure it would be cheaper for local authorities to pay certain pubs, shops etc a suitable amount, to permit the public to make use of their facilities. Keeping their own loos clean and paying for upkeep would surely exceed these agreed payments to someone else.

We were in a local chinese buffet restaurant with our two eldest grandsons- then age 11 and 6, and the younger one wanted to go to the loo. Big brother offered to take him and off they went. After a few minutes they both returned looking a bit sheepish. The following conversation ensued..
Grandson No. 2 "Grandma, you know that machine that they have on the wall in mens toilets?"
Me "Yesssssss" in a slightly strangled voice
Grandson No.2 "Well, Alex (grandson No.1) poked it a bit and look what came out"
I looked in his hand and he had a disposable toothbrush!!!!
Grandson No.2 "Isn't that a great invention"
Me "Certainly is!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Phew ..

I love that tale, gma

if there is a queue do you use the 'disabled' loo ?

never quite brave enough, I just wait in the queue - very British!

Why not use the disabled loo? if there is noone waiting it should not be a problem. I use disabled changing rooms too, much roomier.

Can I just say that although there might not be anyone waiting for the disabled loo you still shouldn't use it. Some disabled people cannot wait to use a loo and if an able-bodied person is in there it could cause them difficulties. I do speak from experience and, although disabled myself, only ever use these facilities if I'm desperate.
I have no problem with you using the changing room though as this is not a matter of urgency.

I do use the disabled loo but I do check out that there is no one disabled about who'd need it. Why not? I've had some really black looks from those too scared to do it themselves and relieved [in more ways then one] from those who realise they can do it too. I know where all the public loos are in our town and they are all fine - I also know where the loos are in shops and cafes. Being a countrygirl at heart I'm not at all worried about going behind a bush when we're walking in the country or New Forest. I have a friend who refuses to do this and her walks can be a misery for her if she needs to use the loo. As for the bowl and contraption mentioned, sorry sounds disgusting!!

dorsetpennt - even more disgusting to need - NOW - in a strange town where you do not know where the loos are, or what they will be like when you find them. The only bushes could be in public parks beside the children's play area, involving instant arrest.

I have a 'minor' disability which requires me to use a loo frequently and I do use the accessible loo [I know it's signed as 'disabled' but I want one that works!! ] from time to time if there is a queue and I have a problem looming. However I get the odd black look because I don't 'look' disabled eg I'm not in a wheelchair abd I don't have a stick.

Your point Elegran about not knowing where the loos are - nor their state if there are - follows my original comment on 1 June. Could we perhaps establish something like Tripadvisor which receives comments on hotels to provide information on toilet in our areas or whenever we visit somewhere? Would Gransnet be willing to assist?

A local junior school has just complained to the Isle of Wight Council that they visited a beach on the Island which they'd done several times before and found, on this occasion, the toilets had been shut down. The children were very distressed and had to go behind a boat. (1) this is not hygenic and (2) this does not encourage good practice. 'Holding on' is (a) not always possible, especially with little children and (b) is not recommended as it can cause medical problems - which of course costs the NHS as well as being upsetting for the child/person concerned.

Sorry folks, this is one of my hobby horses