The use of Public bathrooms
By soccermom
@soccermom (3198)
United States
March 14, 2007 1:36pm CST
I just had a gentleman leave my office very irrate. He came in asking if he could use the bathroom, and I politely told him we do not have a public restroom, sorry. He flew off the handle yelling at me that this is a public place I HAVE to let him use our bathroom. I work in a small, independant insurance agency. We do have a bathroom in our back room, but we generally do not allow the general public to use it, although I have made exceptions for people in here doing business with small kids in tow, or pregnant women, etc.. I don't feel comfortable with a stranger walking in that has no business to conduct here going back there with all our computer equipment, old files, etc..to use our small bathroom. I have been robbed at gunpoint twice and keep mace in my desk drawer for if I feel threatened. There is a gas station with public restrooms right across the street. Should I feel obligated to let anyone use our office bathroom? Or is it okay to stand my ground?
4 people like this
7 responses
@jchampany (1130)
• United States
14 Mar 07
It is okay to stand you rground on that. If he had no other reason to be there but to ask to use the restroom then he should have just gone across the street. Especially if you are the one who has to clean the bathroom.
1 person likes this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
14 Mar 07
LOL I make my boss clean it! He's the only guy that works here, and before he left on vacation last Friday I asked him if the bathroom was clean and he looked at me like one of my kids and says, "I'll go clean it." But in return I have to vacuum the office once a week, I'd never tell him but it doesn't bother me, I like to vaccuum!
@SpitFire179 (2536)
• Canada
14 Mar 07
there's a lot of places that i think should have public washrooms, but an office is not one of them, big or small, you reserve the right to chose who you allow to use it and who you don't.
That man should have just said okay, and taken the time that he spent yelling at you running to the gas station. People are so inconsiderate, and frustrating.... Don't worry about it, no skin off your back right?
Your protecting yourself, and that's what matters, not to mention the company.
Stand your ground hunni, your doing the right thing not only for you, but for your job.
You've been through enough hell it seems, you don't need anymore.
@sweetpea_216 (1470)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I think it's just fine that you stand your ground. If he wasn't even using your business why should he be allowed to use your restroom! The gas station is right across the street so go ahead and keep pointing it out! With the history of that insurance place, I think you were right to say no. They should put up a sign if people are constantly coming in to ask if they can use the restroom.
1 person likes this
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
14 Mar 07
There is no reason you should feel obligated. Here in Washington and in Oregon you have to have a sign posted that says no public restrooms. Since there is a public restroom across the street just chalk it up to another guy being a ?????????
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
14 Mar 07
I think you were right to stand your ground. I have been cheeky and asked to use toilets before for my little girls, once in a charity shop which I didn't like to do and one in a cafe that wasn't open yet (but they at least had public toilets). Don't feel worried about it.
1 person likes this
@alienation68 (103)
• United States
14 Mar 07
I think you should hold you ground and politely tell him that there is a gas station on the other side of the street. having been robbed at gunpoint is a good enough reason to keep anyone from allowing strangers in the back
