Fortunately most places these days offer free facilities, and many also have areas where people can change a baby's nappy, and disabled folk have room for wheelchairs, grab bars, lower basins etc. This is all how it should be.
Sadly there is still little recognition of the fact that many women are travelling with a baby in a buggy and may themselves need the loo. Cubicles are so tiny that it is often impossible to take the buggy in with you - and you cannot leave the child outside unattended, nor yet leave the buggy, and somehow balance baby on your lap while you go about your business. Liz was complaining that at times she has had to wedge the door open with the buggy half in/half out of the cubicle to she can go to the loo and watch Rosie. It is well over 30 years since I was doing that sort of thing, and it hasn't changed much.
We stopped for 'tea and a wee' on our long journey home on Tuesday, and I was interested to see that the Chievely Services have installed new loos.
There was a poster explaining the advantages of the new fittings on the inside of the cubicle door. Reductions in water consumption, energy use, flush-times - with greater hygiene all round.
"Here's some facts" has been amended to Here are some facts"
And "95% less allergens" now reads "95% fewer airborne germs"
Too funny! :D
ReplyDeleteI shouldn't applaud what is technically graffiti but I do!!! Well done that lady! It shocks me how few businesses check their written media, signs or even shop fronts for errors & glaring errors & omissions abound!
ReplyDeleteI agree it is a problem about toilets not being able to accommodate a parent plus a buggy (because there might be dads in that situation too who need a no.2 for example).
I've guarded a buggy on one or two occasions.
It's not always possible to find someone you can trust to watch your child.
DeleteVisiting the toilet at a bus station in the uk is an ordeal , first you have to pay for the privilege , then you have to get yourself through a turnstile and luggage through a sort of gate . By which time I was wonder if the visit was really urgent .
ReplyDeleteMore stations are making facilities free, which is good
DeleteThere was a programme on Radio 4 recently about women in architecture: there should be more of them and more of them in more senior roles to design out these sorts of problems.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Philip. We still do not encourage enough girls to study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths)
DeleteYears ago my office used a new convention space and while all the rooms, caterers etc. were wonderful - the thing that got the most comments (from the women) was the fact that the toilets were HUGE - at least 50 cubicles! We were very impressed!
ReplyDeleteI remember these... I learned to read seeing whether the loo was vacant or occupied!!
ReplyDelete