Gotta Go! But Where?
By P.R. Parker
First written 07/28/06
UPDATE NOTE as of 01/13/07: This entry originally appeared in my old Blog-City blog. I have since deleted that one in favor of the more user friendly Blogstream.
Why does every industrialized country provide facilities for basic body functions but the USA? I'm talking about having to go, but there's no place to go. I'm at the age when the urge hits me at the most inopportune times – such as during my commute to and from work. In the past, if I had to go, I'd duck into a nearby office building or hotel to use their restrooms. I can't use a restaurant's restrooms unless I buy something. That means I have to purchase food or drink. The latter I definitely don't need because I'll have to go again!
It used to be so easy to go into a very public building, ride up a floor, use the bathroom, then be on my way. No one stopped me. Then came September 11 – Thanks a lot, stupid terrorists!
Now all office building restrooms are locked. Only the workers have keys. The one hotel I used to frequent now locks theirs. Only the guests and staff have keys. I can't even use the restrooms in the City-County building because I have to go through the metal detector. If there's a line and I'm in a hurry...You get the idea. Accident!
At least I still have the library and another hotel I can use if the urge hits me. My church is downtown so if I'm nearby there's always that.
When will we get decent PUBLIC facilities? And I don't mean those awful port-a-potties put up for events. I've used those before and it always reminds me of the latrines at Girl Scout camp.
Are we that squeamish about basic bodily functions? We seem to have no trouble making fun of peeing and pooping, but we tend to shy away when it's serious. There was something on TV a few years ago about a European company that wanted to erect clean, safe, modern public restrooms in the US. But they had to accessible. I recall a few were built in New York City, but the things were being used by prostitutes and drug dealers to conduct their business. That was too bad because those bathrooms were really nice. They were pay toilets, but at least they flushed and had sinks with running water for hand washing.
Maybe some day Americans will finally get some decent public accomodations to take care of the inevitable. We can do far better than port-a-pottie.
Copyright©2006 by P.R. Parker. All Rights Reserved.
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