We were talking about pay toilets and restroom policies yesterday, which we can only assume is what prompted reader Stephen to share this photo of a sign he noticed at a coffee shop in Denver, CO. Stephen thinks it’s a “real thirst whetter.” We couldn’t agree more.
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Luckily, this is illegal in some states — you can’t refuse a restroom to someone with some chronic illnesses.
Well, you can poop or pee without paying, you just have to do it on the floor and have an employee clean it up later.
Also:
Non-customer: Hey, I need to use your bathroom.
Employee: Can’t you see the sign?
Non-customer: [vomits]
This is so totally appropriate. Non paying azzholes who come in to poo/pee are generally gonna be stinky homeless types or worse, and do not belong around my kids.
They could just require a key. Well-dressed, clean cut individual or the guy you just saw ordering a latte-Sure. Homeless guy Nuh uh
All this P&P talk reminds me of what some comedian once said: “You can pee and not poop, but you can’t poop and not pee.”
Really, you don’t have to buy the most expensive item on the menu…just buy a cookie or plain coffee or something. It will cost you a dollar or two and you can use the restroom with a clean conscience.
Nice caprophagy though, er, typography.
@banmojo: Your kids are safer with those “stinky homeless types” than they are with your baby-sitter. Try talking to them once and you can see the difficulties they have to overcome in life and just maybe you can get a dose of reality.
@RabbitDinner: Sometimes you’re too busy with other customers to patrol the potty. Other times it’s just considered rude to walk into a bathroom right after a customer to look around.
I never knew how absolutely disgusting some people are until I owned my own establishment. Luckily disasters don’t happen too often.
Our potty is for customers only. As long as you were a customer of ours at some point in your life, you can use the facilities. We’re about 10 minutes from a big shopping district and about another 10 minutes from the big residential sections. We occasionally get customers who are just passing by – moms with toddlers who just won’t make it home. We’ve had more than one toddler run stripping through the store to the potty. That’s just funny.
I’ll bet they did this because of the upcoming convention.
Actually, with Obammy and the Dems coming to town, everyone will have lots of ‘change.’ No problem.
@HunterZ: Just pee, the poop is their pastries.
@The Count of Monte Fisto (With thanks to nequam for reiterating the obvious):
For the umpteenth time, a residence and a business open to the public are two different things. Remember this simple fact and we won’t have to remind you EVERY SINGLE TIME this subject comes up.
I would buy the biggest, sloppiest drink they sell, “accidentally” drop it on the counter with the register after paying, then walk calmly to the restroom and perform my quotidian duty with relish.
If my bowels are at Defcon 5 I’m takin a dump…I mean REALLY what are they gonna do about it?
@kellyhelene:Like most policies, I sure there would be exeptions. I doubt the proprietors are too concerned about the occasional six year old doing “the potty dance” or people having medical bowel emergencies. As others have pointed out, this sign is probalably meant to deter homeless people and/or drug users.
@tosser 07:19
Short of entering the establishment looking homeless how are the staff to be able to tell quickly between someone looking for a free toilet break and someone with a medical emergency. I certainly do not want to stop and explain my intimate bowel habits with total strangers in a public place, it would certainly put people off their food.
Take a massive dump!!!!
Right in the middle of the joint
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY STYLE!
If you’re that motivated to use the loo, you’re probably going to disregard the sign. I rather doubt they’ll call 911 and send the SWAT team over to remove non-paying customers.
I get the idea, but I think the “Restrooms are for customers only” part gets the idea across…the Pay/Poop/Pee thing is really tacky.
I usually use the facilites *before* I order coffee…I mean..come on, you have to make room. Nobody really “buys” coffee (or beer)…you just rent it.
Here’s another thing to ponder…if you’re a regular customer, and you buy say…a coffee every day without ever using the restroom…doesn’t that entitle you to 10 free trips to the john? I’m just saying…..
I dunno… the homeless folks around here seem to have plenty of spare change and are buying coffee anyway. My understanding is that Starbucks really wants to discourage people shooting up in their cans. I really have to wonder whom this sign is intended to deter. I guess it merely reduces any off-the-street poop traffic.
I’ll take a gallon of coffee because as soon as im done im peeing all over the seat.
I wish more coffeehouses would offer poop and pee. I am tired of having to bring my own.
@organicgardener: Yeah, exactly. I often walk into a coffee shop or fast-food restaurant, use the facilities, wash my hands, and then go order. Nobody has complained yet.
My understanding is that in places where restaurants are required to have public restrooms, the purpose is so that people can wash their hands before they eat. This is basic public health, and makes a lot of sense. It also means that in a place with counter service, you need to use the bathroom before you actually become a paying customer.
And, of course, most little kids don’t have the patience to wait until their parents buy the food before they go to the bathroom. Let’s get real here!
I suspect that the sign is mostly there as a deterrent, to reduce the number of non-customers coming in just for the bathroom, and also, as other commenters have mentioned, to give leverage if people need to be evicted (e.g., homeless people).
No class. No consideration. No customer.
Patronage for nice people only.
People might want to patronise this place based on this, but as an IBS sufferer, I take offence at it. If they refused me usage of the restroom, I’d leave something on their floor that would drive away more business than they’re loosing if I don’t buy anything.
Come on, folks who thinks it’s gross – lighten up! (Ok, that takes on a different meaning in this context.) It’s honest and reasonable, since a lot of people dive into coffee shops for the bathroom. If they charged just for the toilet, they’d probably have a lot of unwanted traffic and mess, with people who don’t buy from them. This way, the customers hopefully will buy at least something small, like it, and come back. I always do that out of courtesy, if I dive into a Starbucks or some other convenient potty. I don’t mind having a pack of dark chocolate grahams for later, when I do want them.
At least they’re honest.
No Pay. No Sissy. No shitting in our bathroom…thank you, come again.
wouldn’t it be better to go to a fast food establishment,…they’re plentiful, anad you can just order a $ 1 item, and have it held for you while you use the restroom