Why do washroom attendants even exist? They're creepy, IMHO, hanging around in the washroom to turn on the water, put soap on your hands, and hand you a towel. All for what, a lousy tip? It's gotta be the world's least necessary job.
I've seen some at conferences in Washington, D.C. Ridiculous. But there's usually a somewhat out-of-the-way attendant-free washroom I can use instead.
Quote from: Brandon on August 03, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Why do washroom attendants even exist? They're creepy, IMHO, hanging around in the washroom to turn on the water, put soap on your hands, and hand you a towel. All for what, a lousy tip? It's gotta be the world's least necessary job.
Don't think I've ever encountered one. I guess they're supposed to contribute to some sort of a luxury experience or something. But then again, I won't even use a bellhop or concierge or whatever they're called if I'm staying at a place that has that service. Why should I pay someone else to pack my stuff when I can do it myself?
I'd imagine they have some pretty shitty stories from work to say the least.
The only place I recall seeing them is at a casino. I may've seen one in a nightclub, but I would've been pretty drunk if I wound up in one.
I had seem them at the Wisconsin State Fair. They also had port-a-pottys with people waiting to use those instead of dealing with the attendants.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7047/6808128702_e4077ed9be_z_d.jpg)
Alma, AR
I recall Charlotte International Airport had them at least up until 2014; I don't remember seeing them in my last visit two years ago.
Dang I never knew bathroom attendants ever existed. Its kind of like the Gas Attendant I never knew these jobs ever existed.
I tend to think these jobs only exist in myths. I thought you meant creepy janitors cleaning the bathrooms at first though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restroom_attendant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restroom_attendant)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/redeye-chicago-club-scene-washroom-attendant-20150528-story.html
I've seen them at the casinos, as well as the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on August 03, 2018, 11:43:49 PM
I've seen them at the casinos, as well as the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.
I forgot that they were at the Big E. But they seemed more like janitors. What I recall at the casinos like Foxwoods is that they often had cologne or other toiletries available. Not sure of those attendants had to buy those on their own or if they were provided by the casino.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 03, 2018, 07:28:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 03, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Why do washroom attendants even exist? They're creepy, IMHO, hanging around in the washroom to turn on the water, put soap on your hands, and hand you a towel. All for what, a lousy tip? It's gotta be the world's least necessary job.
Don't think I've ever encountered one. I guess they're supposed to contribute to some sort of a luxury experience or something. But then again, I won't even use a bellhop or concierge or whatever they're called if I'm staying at a place that has that service. Why should I pay someone else to pack my stuff when I can do it myself?
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase. A butler would, but neither you nor I can afford to stay at a hotel with butler service. I don't use bellhops frequently, but they're convenient when I'm traveling by myself and have a lot of luggage, or when I arrive in a city before check-in and/or leave a city after check-out, and need to check my luggage with the bell desk while I go do other things luggage-free.
Regarding washroom attendants, I've never seen one outside of a nightclub or strip club. I agree that they're annoying, doubly so when they're in a bathroom that's too small to accommodate one, but I just tip them a buck, go on my way, and, if at all possible, hold it the rest of the time I'm at that establishment.
Quote from: oscar on August 03, 2018, 07:13:49 PM
I've seen some at conferences in Washington, D.C. Ridiculous.
The Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. had them. The Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) used to use that hotel, along with the nearby Marriott Wardman Park and the Washington Hilton as its convention hotels.
Aside - a few years ago, they moved the event to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center some miles away, allowing them to have everything either in the Convention Center or next door in the Washington Marriott Marquis Hotel (connected to the Convention Center by an understreet pedestrian tunnel).
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 03, 2018, 07:28:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 03, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Why do washroom attendants even exist? They're creepy, IMHO, hanging around in the washroom to turn on the water, put soap on your hands, and hand you a towel. All for what, a lousy tip? It's gotta be the world's least necessary job.
Don't think I've ever encountered one. I guess they're supposed to contribute to some sort of a luxury experience or something. But then again, I won't even use a bellhop or concierge or whatever they're called if I'm staying at a place that has that service. Why should I pay someone else to pack my stuff when I can do it myself?
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase. A butler would, but neither you nor I can afford to stay at a hotel with butler service. I don't use bellhops frequently, but they're convenient when I'm traveling by myself and have a lot of luggage, or when I arrive in a city before check-in and/or leave a city after check-out, and need to check my luggage with the bell desk while I go do other things luggage-free.
Regarding washroom attendants, I've never seen one outside of a nightclub or strip club. I agree that they're annoying, doubly so when they're in a bathroom that's too small to accommodate one, but I just tip them a buck, go on my way, and, if at all possible, hold it the rest of the time I'm at that establishment.
This was a the Old Crow Smokehouse (on Kinzie) on Wednesday for an event on their second floor. The main washroom (thankfully) lacked an attendant. Apparently the women's had two of them.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase.
By "pack," I mean carry. It's a regional colloquialism. "I'm going to pack the groceries in from the car to the house." "That looks heavy. Want me to pack it for you?"
I've seen them in various restaurants or clubs, especially in cities. If they're simply turning on the faucet and/or handing me a paper towel, I don't tip. If I take one of their mints or use something they've put out, then I do.
It's one of those things that shocks you the first few times, then after that it's a meh-type thing.
Quote from: Brandon on August 04, 2018, 06:10:16 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 03, 2018, 07:28:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 03, 2018, 06:59:35 PM
Why do washroom attendants even exist? They're creepy, IMHO, hanging around in the washroom to turn on the water, put soap on your hands, and hand you a towel. All for what, a lousy tip? It's gotta be the world's least necessary job.
Don't think I've ever encountered one. I guess they're supposed to contribute to some sort of a luxury experience or something. But then again, I won't even use a bellhop or concierge or whatever they're called if I'm staying at a place that has that service. Why should I pay someone else to pack my stuff when I can do it myself?
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase. A butler would, but neither you nor I can afford to stay at a hotel with butler service. I don't use bellhops frequently, but they're convenient when I'm traveling by myself and have a lot of luggage, or when I arrive in a city before check-in and/or leave a city after check-out, and need to check my luggage with the bell desk while I go do other things luggage-free.
Regarding washroom attendants, I've never seen one outside of a nightclub or strip club. I agree that they're annoying, doubly so when they're in a bathroom that's too small to accommodate one, but I just tip them a buck, go on my way, and, if at all possible, hold it the rest of the time I'm at that establishment.
This was a the Old Crow Smokehouse (on Kinzie) on Wednesday for an event on their second floor. The main washroom (thankfully) lacked an attendant. Apparently the women's had two of them.
Honestly, I haven't been to a restaurant that's nice enough to have one in years.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2018, 07:48:36 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase.
By "pack," I mean carry. It's a regional colloquialism. "I'm going to pack the groceries in from the car to the house." "That looks heavy. Want me to pack it for you?"
I have never heard or read "pack" be used that way before.
I don't consider The Big E bathroom keepers as attendants; they are there to keep the place as clean as possible.
I associate bathroom attendants in line with the scene in Ferris Buller's Day Off -- some guy sitting there to hand you stuff unnecessarily. It has been a long time since I have been in a bathroom with one -- probably last one was at some restaurant in DC when I worked there and it was required to eat at such snobby places due to my job (paralegal at a top DC firm).
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on August 05, 2018, 03:02:47 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2018, 07:48:36 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase.
By "pack," I mean carry. It's a regional colloquialism. "I'm going to pack the groceries in from the car to the house." "That looks heavy. Want me to pack it for you?"
I have never heard or read "pack" be used that way before.
It's not - H. Belkins just doesn't want to admit he made a mistake.
They're unfortunately common in bars in New York City.
I get the sense that the concept in general is a holdover from a time when the cultural expectation was that a business provide all sorts of service for its customers. A bagger bagged your groceries for you at the store, an attendant pumped your gas and cleaned your windshield for you at the gas station, a bellhop carried your suitcases for you at the hotel, the mailman brought the mail directly to your door instead of leaving it in a mailbox at the end of your driveway, etc.
Culture in the US has since shifted - we as consumers now expect low prices instead of high levels of service, which has resulted in a lot of these positions being eliminated to cut costs. And we now expect to be left alone by people outside of our social circles rather than appreciating friendly behavior from strangers, which means that when these positions do still exist many of us see them as an unnecessary person butting themselves into our business uninvited rather than as a nice gesture on the part of the business.
I'm having a really hard time finding it, but I remember a funny SNL skit from the 1990s with Kevin Nealon and Harvey Keitel where Nealon played a bathroom attendant in a single-use bathroom and Keitel played the, er, bathroom user.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 05, 2018, 10:21:18 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on August 05, 2018, 03:02:47 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2018, 07:48:36 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase.
By "pack," I mean carry. It's a regional colloquialism. "I'm going to pack the groceries in from the car to the house." "That looks heavy. Want me to pack it for you?"
I have never heard or read "pack" be used that way before.
It's not - H. Belkins just doesn't want to admit he made a mistake.
1. Who's H. Belkins?
2. You don't live here. I've lived in Kentucky all my life. It's a phrase in common usage around here. Surely you've heard the term "packing heat," which means "carrying a gun."
Quote from: hbelkins on August 05, 2018, 04:18:10 PM
2. You don't live here. I've lived in Kentucky all my life. It's a phrase in common usage around here. Surely you've heard the term "packing heat," which means "carrying a gun."
All right, I take back what I said. I've never heard it used in any way besides that.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 05, 2018, 04:18:10 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 05, 2018, 10:21:18 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on August 05, 2018, 03:02:47 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 04, 2018, 07:48:36 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 04, 2018, 12:18:05 PM
A bellhop or concierge wouldn't pack or unpack your suitcase.
By "pack," I mean carry. It's a regional colloquialism. "I'm going to pack the groceries in from the car to the house." "That looks heavy. Want me to pack it for you?"
I have never heard or read "pack" be used that way before.
It's not - H. Belkins just doesn't want to admit he made a mistake.
1. Who's H. Belkins?
2. You don't live here. I've lived in Kentucky all my life. It's a phrase in common usage around here. Surely you've heard the term "packing heat," which means "carrying a gun."
My, you're easily trolled. I'll pray for you.
People around here use it the way that HB is referring to - particularly in the context of camping equipment. If I'm camping somewhere remote, I would pack my gear in and out as opposed to carrying it.
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on August 05, 2018, 04:30:29 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 05, 2018, 04:18:10 PM
2. You don't live here. I've lived in Kentucky all my life. It's a phrase in common usage around here. Surely you've heard the term "packing heat," which means "carrying a gun."
All right, I take back what I said. I've never heard it used in any way besides that.
Mules or other animals used to carry loads are called "pack animals." Now you've heard it another way as well. :thumbsup:
Quote from: corco on August 05, 2018, 04:57:32 PM
People around here use it the way that HB is referring to - particularly in the context of camping equipment. If I'm camping somewhere remote, I would pack my gear in and out as opposed to carrying it.
And for users of parks that don't provide trash bins, "pack it in, pack it out" is the slogan to encourage people to take their trash with them (with, uh, uneven success).
"Pack out your own trash" is also the watchword in the parts of Denali National Park that are open to backpackers through a reservation system. The only thing you are supposed to bury in those places is your own dung.
As for the question in the OP, I have personally seen washroom attendants only in public bathrooms in Europe that charge for entry. Their main function is to keep the bathrooms clean and to ensure that the entry fee is paid. In the contexts other people are talking about in this thread, such as nightclubs, casinos, expensive restaurants, etc. in the US, the washroom attendants are there to support an atmosphere of exclusivity and unspoken assurance that the riffraff will be kept out.
Quote from: J N Winkler on August 05, 2018, 06:47:40 PM
"Pack out your own trash" is also the watchword in the parts of Denali National Park that are open to backpackers through a reservation system. The only thing you are supposed to bury in those places is your own dung.
As for the question in the OP, I have personally seen washroom attendants only in public bathrooms in Europe that charge for entry. Their main function is to keep the bathrooms clean and to ensure that the entry fee is paid. In the contexts other people are talking about in this thread, such as nightclubs, casinos, expensive restaurants, etc. in the US, the washroom attendants are there to support an atmosphere of exclusivity and unspoken assurance that the riffraff will be kept out.
" Keeping out the riffraff" from a bathroom in a club that charges a hefty fee just to get in? Seems superfluous. Maybe they're there to make patrons feel like big swinging dicks, though.
Those pay toilets in Europe sure are immaculate.
Quote from: Brandon on August 04, 2018, 06:10:16 PM
This was a the Old Crow Smokehouse (on Kinzie) on Wednesday for an event on their second floor. The main washroom (thankfully) lacked an attendant. Apparently the women's had two of them.
Coincidentally, a group of us was taking a friend out for a pseudo-bachelor-party day on Friday and there was an attendant in the upstairs restroom at the Old Crow in Wrigleyville then. That night, after a Cubs game and visits to several other establishments, we were at Old Crow again and no attendant in the downstairs restroom. Wonder why only the upstairs one seems to have the attendant.
I also remember the CLT airport ones. Haven't passed through there in some years now, but did find it odd that on one visit when burning a US Airways Club pass, their restroom had no attendant, but the airport's own restrooms may. Weird.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 05, 2018, 08:10:42 PM
" Keeping out the riffraff" from a bathroom in a club that charges a hefty fee just to get in? Seems superfluous.
"Riffraff" might not be the best word, but I think there's a kernel of truth in the "chaperone" angle. I'd imagine that even among wealthy patrons in high-priced nightclubs, bathrooms would be popular places to buy, sell, or enjoy some mind-altering refreshments that aren't on the bar menu. Or to make a brief hookup with someone they met on the dance floor. But with a live attendant in the room, they might be dissuaded from trying either.
That said, I've rarely ever encountered washroom attendants, and certainly not the Jeeves type with a town over his arm and a silver tray of mints and cologne.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 05, 2018, 04:18:10 PM
Surely you've heard the term "packing heat," which means "carrying a gun."
See this is interesting because I would parse "packing" in this context to mean "being armed with", not "carrying" - and would therefore not think to apply it to anything that isn't being used as a weapon.
As for the original subject at hand, another thought occurs to me - I have definitely been to establishments where I have encountered an attendant in the men's room, but have been informed by female companions that there is not one in the ladies' room. Which does make me wonder - well why not?
Quote from: briantroutman on August 06, 2018, 12:07:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 05, 2018, 08:10:42 PM
" Keeping out the riffraff" from a bathroom in a club that charges a hefty fee just to get in? Seems superfluous.
"Riffraff" might not be the best word, but I think there's a kernel of truth in the "chaperone" angle. I'd imagine that even among wealthy patrons in high-priced nightclubs, bathrooms would be popular places to buy, sell, or enjoy some mind-altering refreshments that aren't on the bar menu. Or to make a brief hookup with someone they met on the dance floor. But with a live attendant in the room, they might be dissuaded from trying either.
That said, I've rarely ever encountered washroom attendants, and certainly not the Jeeves type with a town over his arm and a silver tray of mints and cologne.
Oh, I see what you mean. That's very plausible.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 06, 2018, 01:18:04 AMAs for the original subject at hand, another thought occurs to me - I have definitely been to establishments where I have encountered an attendant in the men's room, but have been informed by female companions that there is not one in the ladies' room. Which does make me wonder - well why not?
Maybe because the items they sell (gum, candy, mints, loose cigarettes, sprays of cologne) are items women can carry in their purses, but men can't carry easily in their pockets. Or because they're vestiges of an era where gender parity wasn't a concern. Either way, I'd say women are better off without them.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 05, 2018, 11:07:16 AM
They're unfortunately common in bars in New York City.
I get the sense that the concept in general is a holdover from a time when the cultural expectation was that a business provide all sorts of service for its customers. A bagger bagged your groceries for you at the store, an attendant pumped your gas and cleaned your windshield for you at the gas station, a bellhop carried your suitcases for you at the hotel, the mailman brought the mail directly to your door instead of leaving it in a mailbox at the end of your driveway, etc.
Culture in the US has since shifted - we as consumers now expect low prices instead of high levels of service, which has resulted in a lot of these positions being eliminated to cut costs. And we now expect to be left alone by people outside of our social circles rather than appreciating friendly behavior from strangers, which means that when these positions do still exist many of us see them as an unnecessary person butting themselves into our business uninvited rather than as a nice gesture on the part of the business.
True though.
- "Pack" as meaning "carry" is a proper Appalachian / upper South word.
- I have only seen washroom attendants maybe 4 times in my life. It is an unnecessary job.
- In Europe, indeed many places have somebody there to charge to use the facilities. Different culture. In Latin America, many places have self-appointed attendants who just create a job for themselves, blurring the lines between fees, tips and begging.
Quote from: SP Cook on August 06, 2018, 09:56:57 AM
In Latin America, many places have self-appointed attendants who just create a job for themselves, blurring the lines between fees, tips and begging.
Different culture. Also, it's not really "begging" if they're actually performing a service for you.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 06, 2018, 10:05:46 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 06, 2018, 09:56:57 AM
In Latin America, many places have self-appointed attendants who just create a job for themselves, blurring the lines between fees, tips and begging.
Different culture. Also, it's not really "begging" if they're actually performing a service for you.
Pfft. Right. Those guys who would rush out to clean your windshield in the 1980s and then block you until you paid weren't begging...it was outright thievery. :D
Quote from: Rothman on August 06, 2018, 10:44:15 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 06, 2018, 10:05:46 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 06, 2018, 09:56:57 AM
In Latin America, many places have self-appointed attendants who just create a job for themselves, blurring the lines between fees, tips and begging.
Different culture. Also, it's not really "begging" if they're actually performing a service for you.
Pfft. Right. Those guys who would rush out to clean your windshield in the 1980s and then block you until you paid weren't begging...it was outright thievery. :D
Fine, "performing a service for you that you want them to perform."
I've encountered one at the long gone Planet Hollywood in Chicago.
Quote from: Rothman on August 06, 2018, 10:44:15 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 06, 2018, 10:05:46 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 06, 2018, 09:56:57 AM
In Latin America, many places have self-appointed attendants who just create a job for themselves, blurring the lines between fees, tips and begging.
Different culture. Also, it's not really "begging" if they're actually performing a service for you.
Pfft. Right. Those guys who would rush out to clean your windshield in the 1980s and then block you until you paid weren't begging...it was outright thievery. :D
Not just in the 1980s -- that happened to me in Austin two years ago.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2018/01/03/oregons-freak-out-over-pumping-your-own-gas-shows-why-many-dumb-regulations-still-exist/#1ffe59ed600e
Are there any state regulations that require "Bathroom Attendants" kind of in a similar manner to Gas Attendants at Gas Stations? Note as far as I know California does not have these jobs though. It's usually automated car wash and self serve gas plus a janitor doing bathroom maintenance in my area.
I read some stuff that gaa attendants were required by law for some reason and somehow about safety.
Quote from: inkyatari on August 06, 2018, 12:09:47 PM
I've encountered one at the long gone Planet Hollywood in Chicago.
That's what you get for going to Planet Hollywood.
Quote from: bing101 on August 06, 2018, 01:08:46 PM
https://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2018/01/03/oregons-freak-out-over-pumping-your-own-gas-shows-why-many-dumb-regulations-still-exist/#1ffe59ed600e
Are there any state regulations that require "Bathroom Attendants" kind of in a similar manner to Gas Attendants at Gas Stations? Note as far as I know California does not have these jobs though. It's usually automated car wash and self serve gas plus a janitor doing bathroom maintenance in my area.
I read some stuff that gaa attendants were required by law for some reason and somehow about safety.
The last time I saw a gas pump jockey in the US (and not in Oregon or New Jersey)was in 1997, and they were a relic even then. My grandmother (born 1919, died 2011) never pumped her own gas, she would either pay for full-serve or my dad would fill the tank of her car, but women like her aren't really around any more.
I understand they still exist overseas, particularly in Japan, where they'll even stand in the street to stop traffic so you can merge into traffic when you leave.
I occasionally see a full service station. There's definitely one in Seekonk, MA and one in Riverside RI.
I've never seen an elevator operator.
Quote from: bing101 on August 06, 2018, 01:08:46 PMAre there any state regulations that require "Bathroom Attendants" kind of in a similar manner to Gas Attendants at Gas Stations? Note as far as I know California does not have these jobs though. It's usually automated car wash and self serve gas plus a janitor doing bathroom maintenance in my area.
I don't know about state regulations, but several states promise 24-hour security at some if not all of their Interstate rest areas. I have seen this in Mississippi and Alabama. In Mississippi there is typically a security booth apart from the toilet block, and in Alabama there is a guard on duty (I-20 near Meridian) or a janitor always present (I-65 between Montgomery and Mobile), in both cases in the same building as the toilet block. The availability of round-the-clock security is advertised on the white-on-blue advance guide signs for the rest areas.
Quote from: bing101 on August 06, 2018, 01:08:46 PMI read some stuff that gas attendants were required by law for some reason and somehow about safety.
That is the alibi in Oregon and I believe it is still part of the policy intent language in the ORS sections that deal with gasoline dispensing.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 06, 2018, 02:03:32 PMThe last time I saw a gas pump jockey in the US (and not in Oregon or New Jersey) was in 1997, and they were a relic even then. My grandmother (born 1919, died 2011) never pumped her own gas, she would either pay for full-serve or my dad would fill the tank of her car, but women like her aren't really around any more.
My paternal grandmother had the same dates yours did, but pumped her own gas. I think she became accustomed to it when she was widowed in 1976. My mother, on the other hand, rarely pumped her own gas--my father usually did that for her. As is also the case with loading the dishwasher, I think it is the type of chore that often ends up devolving onto one family member, and there are probably families where the wife makes sure the cars are fuelled.
Lamore's Gulf in Wethersfield CT was full serve when I was last there 5 or 6 years ago. I'm not sure if it still is. But there was also a Mobil station nearby that had a full serve aisle; and gave self serve prices to those with handicap stickers.
"Full service" stations in this area aren't that uncommon. Actual full service is pretty much unheard of, although one person did check the tires at a particular station.
Quote from: J N Winkler on August 06, 2018, 04:02:44 PMQuote from: abefroman329 on August 06, 2018, 02:03:32 PMThe last time I saw a gas pump jockey in the US (and not in Oregon or New Jersey) was in 1997, and they were a relic even then. My grandmother (born 1919, died 2011) never pumped her own gas, she would either pay for full-serve or my dad would fill the tank of her car, but women like her aren't really around any more.
My paternal grandmother had the same dates yours did, but pumped her own gas. I think she became accustomed to it when she was widowed in 1976. My mother, on the other hand, rarely pumped her own gas--my father usually did that for her. As is also the case with loading the dishwasher, I think it is the type of chore that often ends up devolving onto one family member, and there are probably families where the wife makes sure the cars are fuelled.
This was also my paternal grandmother, and she was widowed in 1982. She was largely self-sufficient, but never pumped her own gas. I think it was vanity (she was pretty fussy about her hair and nails and probably didn't want to spoil the latter by pumping gas).
Quote from: jon daly on August 06, 2018, 04:02:21 PM
I occasionally see a full service station. There's definitely one in Seekonk, MA and one in Riverside RI.
I've never seen an elevator operator.
Funny enough, I've seen an elevator operator at least once every year for the past 3 years. Twice in the John Hancock Tower, and once in Denver back in 2015.
Washroom attendant, I have seen them but not for a long time. Last time was an upscale banquet hall during a wedding maybe 5 years ago
Around here there are two stations, both Exxon, that have full serve. One each in the rich parts of Huntington and Charleston. Charges a confiscatory price, typical customer is a blue haired widow in a 10 year old Buick.
I know of one building with an elevator operator. It is a pre WWII office building in Charleston which has the old type of elevator where the doors must be opened manually. Probably cheaper to pay the old lady that runs it than to upgrade the building.
The Fine Arts Building in Chicago has a bank of four elevators, all manually operated by humans (as in, the elevators are stopped and started by hand. The operators do not pull them up and down.)
Bringing the thread full circle, I've always wondered if you're supposed to tip the operators. Maybe at Christmas.
Back during the late-80's/early-90's glory days of SNL, there was a skit where Harvey Keitel and a female cast member go to a creepy full-service upscale restaurant, and Harvey goes to the restroom. It has a single toilet and sink, and Kevin Nealon plays the creepy bathroom attendant. Kevin stands right over Harvey's Head while he takes a dump, and at one point sprays air freshener. Dries his hands off, lint rolls his suit jacket, and everything.
Every time I think of the concept of a bathroom attendant I think of that skit.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 05, 2018, 11:40:12 AM
I'm having a really hard time finding it, but I remember a funny SNL skit from the 1990s with Kevin Nealon and Harvey Keitel where Nealon played a bathroom attendant in a single-use bathroom and Keitel played the, er, bathroom user.
And SNL had a restroom attendant on an airplane: https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/airplane-restroom-attendant/n9161
State and County Fairs use them, and you must tip them. I usually do not like to pay to take a leak, but I do anyhow cause I know how tough it is to make it and I am sure the fair staff is not fair with wages.
I do ignore those who are called valets as to me they get in your way handing you a towel that you very much can obtain yourself looking for a few bucks out of your wallet. Some places like the Hard Rock Cafe uses them as its an upscale thing that they are (or were ) trying out for class. To me let me pee, as I do not need a towel or fancy soap shoved at me!
Quote from: roadman65 on August 13, 2018, 11:25:52 AM
State and County Fairs use them, and you must tip them. I usually do not like to pay to take a leak, but I do anyhow cause I know how tough it is to make it and I am sure the fair staff is not fair with wages.
I do ignore those who are called valets as to me they get in your way handing you a towel that you very much can obtain yourself looking for a few bucks out of your wallet. Some places like the Hard Rock Cafe uses them as its an upscale thing that they are (or were ) trying out for class. To me let me pee, as I do not need a towel or fancy soap shoved at me!
I would say it's equally plausible that the valets are getting screwed on wages somehow. I don't think the way to show dissatisfaction with their presence is by not tipping.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 13, 2018, 11:25:52 AM
State and County Fairs use them, and you must tip them. I usually do not like to pay to take a leak, but I do anyhow cause I know how tough it is to make it and I am sure the fair staff is not fair with wages.
I do ignore those who are called valets as to me they get in your way handing you a towel that you very much can obtain yourself looking for a few bucks out of your wallet. Some places like the Hard Rock Cafe uses them as its an upscale thing that they are (or were ) trying out for class. To me let me pee, as I do not need a towel or fancy soap shoved at me!
You must tip them? How is this enforced?
Quote from: roadman65 on August 13, 2018, 11:25:52 AM
State and County Fairs use them, and you must tip them.
I'm quite sure you can just walk out.
Quote from: tribar on August 13, 2018, 01:06:36 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on August 13, 2018, 11:25:52 AM
State and County Fairs use them, and you must tip them. I usually do not like to pay to take a leak, but I do anyhow cause I know how tough it is to make it and I am sure the fair staff is not fair with wages.
I do ignore those who are called valets as to me they get in your way handing you a towel that you very much can obtain yourself looking for a few bucks out of your wallet. Some places like the Hard Rock Cafe uses them as its an upscale thing that they are (or were ) trying out for class. To me let me pee, as I do not need a towel or fancy soap shoved at me!
You must should tip them? How is this enforced?
Should not must.
My error.
And in a restroom, I do not expect to find a man trying to solicit money for an act I can do myself. If I do not create work for him, he cannot work for it. Simple. Plus I usually do not have small bills, hence the ATMs. Plus nowadays if they are working for tips, good luck as most do not even carry cash anymore thanks to Mr. Debit.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 15, 2018, 07:12:54 PM
And in a restroom, I do not expect to find a man trying to solicit money for an act I can do myself.
Careful there.
What's more bizarre is that at the planet hollywood one, the attendant said, after handing me a towel, "Would you like to try one of my colognes?" and lo and behold, he had a basket of colognes there...
Quote from: inkyatari on August 16, 2018, 08:50:22 AM
What's more bizarre is that at the planet hollywood one, the attendant said, after handing me a towel, "Would you like to try one of my colognes?" and lo and behold, he had a basket of colognes there...
Oh, that's standard. Along with gum and mints, they have ways of making all stenches disappear.
I haven't encountered a restroom attendant in awhile, then this thread comes along and sure enough I encounter one yesterday: Company summer outing at Monmouth Park, a local horse racetrack. He had his small basket of mints and was handing out paper towels from the dispenser next to him, while half the crowd at the sinks just grabbed their own paper towels from the dispenser on the other end (he needs to station an assistant attendant next to that one). Otherwise I encounter them occasionally at weddings and formal events.
Why I don't like attendants is the fact that I feel guilty these guys are there as always when I use their restrooms to answer the call I am usually broke. At one time a dollar was a great tip but we all know that now what used to be a buck is now up to $5. That is why I hate them, not that I do not appreciate them, but many should be in upscale places where the clientel is got bills to hand out real easily.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 18, 2018, 08:10:10 PM
Why I don't like attendants is the fact that I feel guilty these guys are there as always when I use their restrooms to answer the call I am usually broke. At one time a dollar was a great tip but we all know that now what used to be a buck is now up to $5. That is why I hate them, not that I do not appreciate them, but many should be in upscale places where the clientel is got bills to hand out real easily.
I don't know, I still tip a buck to washroom attendants, two bucks to a valet, two bucks a bag to a redcap/skycap/bellman, etc. and have been for 10-20 years. I try to make sure I have some cash on hand at all times, particularly when I know I'm going to run into someone who works for tips.
Washroom attendants are a sticky wicket. When I was young and broke, I would dodge them like crazy in order to justify not being able to afford to tip them.
Quote from: roadman65 on August 18, 2018, 08:10:10 PM
Why I don't like attendants is the fact that I feel guilty these guys are there as always when I use their restrooms to answer the call I am usually broke. At one time a dollar was a great tip but we all know that now what used to be a buck is now up to $5. That is why I hate them, not that I do not appreciate them, but many should be in upscale places where the clientel is got bills to hand out real easily.
I've never felt the need to tip more than $1, especially when it comes to bathroom attendants.
$1 in 1975 equals $5 today.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on August 19, 2018, 11:43:13 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on August 18, 2018, 08:10:10 PM
Why I don't like attendants is the fact that I feel guilty these guys are there as always when I use their restrooms to answer the call I am usually broke. At one time a dollar was a great tip but we all know that now what used to be a buck is now up to $5. That is why I hate them, not that I do not appreciate them, but many should be in upscale places where the clientel is got bills to hand out real easily.
I've never felt the need to tip more than $1, especially when it comes to bathroom attendants.
$1 in 1975 equals $5 today.
I would tip more than $1 if I took one of his loose cigarettes; if he bought them by the pack, he'd be losing money on that transaction.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 19, 2018, 12:31:39 PM
I would tip more than $1 if I took one of his loose cigarettes; if he bought them by the pack, he'd be losing money on that transaction.
In my experience (from signs at convenience stores, not from actually buying cigarettes), packs are $8.xx in Massachusetts and $6.xx in New Hampshire. With 20 in a pack, that's not losing money.
(edited to fix quote)
Quote from: 1 on August 19, 2018, 12:41:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 19, 2018, 12:31:39 PMI would tip more than $1 if I took one of his loose cigarettes; if he bought them by the pack, he'd be losing money on that transaction.
In my experience (from signs at convenience stores, not from actually buying cigarettes), packs are $8.xx in Massachusetts and $6.xx in New Hampshire. With 20 in a pack, that's not losing money.
They're well above $10 a pack here and everywhere I've lived.
Why anyone smokes when the costs are so high is beyond me. :D
Quote from: Rothman on August 19, 2018, 09:26:33 PM
Why anyone smokes when the costs are so high is beyond me. :D
Humans have a knack for not making decisions on a rational basis. Especially when they are under a lot of stress, which is often what motivates people to smoke. There is, after all, no other stress relieving drug that is both available without a prescription and acceptable to be under the influence of at work.
Quote from: Rothman on August 19, 2018, 09:26:33 PM
Why anyone smokes when the costs are so high is beyond me. :D
It's not a habit, it's an addiction. Nicotine is as addictive as crack, IIRC.
Quote from: Rothman on August 19, 2018, 09:26:33 PM
Why anyone smokes when the costs are so high is beyond me. :D
We all struggle with addiction. Anyone who says they don't is either lying or doesn't understand addiction.
I responded and deleted realizing Roth was being sarcastic, but there are probably a number who won't quit solely in order to spite governmental social engineering efforts.
Basically "I won't quit smoking because it's what government wants."
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 02:17:30 PM
I responded and deleted realizing Roth was being sarcastic, but there are probably a number who won't quit solely in order to spite governmental social engineering efforts.
Basically "I won't quit smoking because it's what government wants."
I have a former coworker who refuses to wear a seat belt to spite governmental social engineering efforts. Oddly enough, he did quit smoking.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 02:17:30 PM
I responded and deleted realizing Roth was being sarcastic, but there are probably a number who won't quit solely in order to spite governmental social engineering efforts.
Basically "I won't quit smoking because it's what government wants."
There are folks like that. I have an online acquaintance like that.
I used to have a libertarian contempt for the nanny-state and wouldn't wear a seatbelt. But I grew up.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 03:01:07 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 02:17:30 PM
I responded and deleted realizing Roth was being sarcastic, but there are probably a number who won't quit solely in order to spite governmental social engineering efforts.
Basically "I won't quit smoking because it's what government wants."
I have a former coworker who refuses to wear a seat belt to spite governmental social engineering efforts. Oddly enough, he did quit smoking.
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they
weren't wearing a seat belt.
Oddly, they ignore all the stories where someone survived because they
were wearing one.
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
Quote from: US 89 on August 20, 2018, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
I'm almost positive there's at least one story of someone who was in a car that ended up in a body of water and they were able to escape the car faster because they weren't wearing a seatbelt.
Quote from: jon daly on August 20, 2018, 04:14:49 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 02:17:30 PM
I responded and deleted realizing Roth was being sarcastic, but there are probably a number who won't quit solely in order to spite governmental social engineering efforts.
Basically "I won't quit smoking because it's what government wants."
There are folks like that. I have an online acquaintance like that.
I used to have a libertarian contempt for the nanny-state and wouldn't wear a seatbelt. But I grew up.
I wasn't crazy about bars going smoke-free in DC (I was a smoker at the time), but then I walked into a smoke-free bar, realized how pleasant it was, and got over it.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 05:27:29 PM
Quote from: US 89 on August 20, 2018, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
I'm almost positive there's at least one story of someone who was in a car that ended up in a body of water and they were able to escape the car faster because they weren't wearing a seatbelt.
Or I hear stories about people who were ejected from their vehicle in a non-fatal manner and the way their car landed would have crushed them inside the vehicle had they been strapped in.
I've always felt it's a strange hill to die on (no pun intended). I've had arguments where I tried to explain scenarios of how not wearing a seat belt could affect other people, but they just go "fuck them, because 'freedom'". Whatever.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 05:39:09 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 05:27:29 PM
Quote from: US 89 on August 20, 2018, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
I'm almost positive there's at least one story of someone who was in a car that ended up in a body of water and they were able to escape the car faster because they weren't wearing a seatbelt.
Or I hear stories about people who were ejected from their vehicle in a non-fatal manner and the way their car landed would have crushed them inside the vehicle had they been strapped in.
I've always felt it's a strange hill to die on (no pun intended). I've had arguments where I tried to explain scenarios of how not wearing a seat belt could affect other people, but they just go "fuck them, because 'freedom'". Whatever.
Oh right, or they were thrown clear and the car caught fire before they could have gotten out of the car had they had their seatbelt on. Fortunately you don't have to believe in Darwinism for it to be true.
Quote from: US 89 on August 20, 2018, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
Anecdotal evidence seems to have a habit of burying truth.
Quote from: formulanone on August 20, 2018, 06:07:48 PM
Quote from: US 89 on August 20, 2018, 04:53:57 PM
Quote from: spooky on August 20, 2018, 04:25:48 PM
Those people always know the stories where someone survived because they weren't wearing a seat belt.
Those stories exist?
Anecdotal evidence seems to have a habit of burying truth.
Right well the issue is that there are circumstances where wearing a seatbelt can kill you, but these occur less frequently than the circumstances where wearing a seatbelt can prevent you from being killed. If you knew the exact nature of how you would crash before doing it you could make a decision on whether or not to wear your seatbelt accordingly but of course you can't know this. So you have to look at it as there's a risk either way, but if you wear your seatbelt the odds are more in your favor.
Meanwhile I know the reactionary stubbornness well - my dad always used to refuse to wear his seatbelt purely out of protest because he resented the existence of laws requiring it. He eventually gave up on this once it got to the point where cars would play annoying chimes if your seatbelt was off instead of just quietly turning a warning light on that was easily ignoreable.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 20, 2018, 07:18:00 PMHe eventually gave up on this once it got to the point where cars would play annoying chimes if your seatbelt was off instead of just quietly turning a warning light on that was easily ignoreable.
So the annoying chimes worked, then.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 07:29:04 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on August 20, 2018, 07:18:00 PMHe eventually gave up on this once it got to the point where cars would play annoying chimes if your seatbelt was off instead of just quietly turning a warning light on that was easily ignoreable.
So the annoying chimes worked, then.
Easily subverted by cutting the metal latches from an old seatbelt and inserting them inside the buckle. (Side effects may result in traffic citations, injury, dismemberment, or death. Ask a doctor or lawyer if cutting apart an old junkyard seatbelt is right for you.)
To be fair, there have been cases where the unbuckled survived, but in rare and unusual cases. Likewise, there's going to types of accidents where even a seatbelt won't help. But they're outside the norms of most traffic accidents. I hear some people grumble about whether a seatbelt will save you in an aircraft accident; there's plenty of incidents like runway over-runs, aborted takeoffs/landings, and stuff like collapsed landing gears which can cause injury from sudden motion or stopping...
Standard medical visit question: "Are you wearing a seat belt?" :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :banghead: :banghead:
On some newer cars I've discovered there are sensors in the passenger seats (not sure if all passenger seats or just the front one) so if the driver buckles but a/the passenger(s) don't, you get chimed at.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 08:25:27 PM
On some newer cars I've discovered there are sensors in the passenger seats (not sure if all passenger seats or just the front one) so if the driver buckles but a/the passenger(s) don't, you get chimed at.
Our 2013 Camry has chimes for the driver and front passenger seats.
Quote from: formulanone on August 20, 2018, 07:51:32 PM(Side effects may result in traffic citations, injury, dismemberment, or death. Ask a doctor or lawyer if cutting apart an old junkyard seatbelt is right for you)
If your seatbelt is buckled for more than four hours, seek immediate medical attention.
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 08:46:41 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 08:25:27 PM
On some newer cars I've discovered there are sensors in the passenger seats (not sure if all passenger seats or just the front one) so if the driver buckles but a/the passenger(s) don't, you get chimed at.
Our 2013 Camry has chimes for the driver and front passenger seats.
It is supposed to chime if the weight on the passenger seat is 40 pounds or greater. It's called a Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector/Sensor, and they became mandatory on new cars around 2005 or so.
There's been a few times I've had to buckle up my backpack.
Quote from: formulanone on August 20, 2018, 08:52:30 PM
There's been a few times I've had to buckle up my backpack.
I usually just push it into the footwell if the warning light comes on.
Seat belts - The physics of someone being "thrown clear" from a non-convertible in a non-fatal manner simply do not exist. likewise the amount of time it would take to remove a seat belt if one somehow crashed into water is measured in fractions of a second, and cannot have any effect on whether one is able to exit the vehicle or not. Both are old saws tossed out by people who don't wear seat belts. AKA stupid people.
Tobacco - Smoking cigarettes, which contain highly hybridized and machine processd tobacco and massive amounts of chemicals, causes cancer. Snuff and chewing tobacco will rot your teath, but there is no real scientific evidence of much else it does. Pipe tobacco and premium cigars, which are made only with natural tobacco without chemical additives, smoked in moderation (5-7 per week) have no scientific evidence of cancer risk. Likewise, the FDA and its junk scientists have, despite their best efforts, never been able to prove that "second hand smoke" has any effect on health. Sorry, that is just the way it is.
Quote from: formulanone on August 20, 2018, 08:52:30 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 20, 2018, 08:46:41 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 20, 2018, 08:25:27 PM
On some newer cars I've discovered there are sensors in the passenger seats (not sure if all passenger seats or just the front one) so if the driver buckles but a/the passenger(s) don't, you get chimed at.
Our 2013 Camry has chimes for the driver and front passenger seats.
It is supposed to chime if the weight on the passenger seat is 40 pounds or greater. It's called a Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector/Sensor, and they became mandatory on new cars around 2005 or so.
There's been a few times I've had to buckle up my backpack.
I'd say it's significantly lighter than that. I've had it go off several times for whatever reason...which either taking said thing off or buckling the seatbelt resolves the issue.
Quote from: SP Cook on August 21, 2018, 01:45:53 PM
Seat belts - The physics of someone being "thrown clear" from a non-convertible in a non-fatal manner simply do not exist. likewise the amount of time it would take to remove a seat belt if one somehow crashed into water is measured in fractions of a second, and cannot have any effect on whether one is able to exit the vehicle or not. Both are old saws tossed out by people who don't wear seat belts. AKA stupid people.
Tobacco - Smoking cigarettes, which contain highly hybridized and machine processd tobacco and massive amounts of chemicals, causes cancer. Snuff and chewing tobacco will rot your teath, but there is no real scientific evidence of much else it does. Pipe tobacco and premium cigars, which are made only with natural tobacco without chemical additives, smoked in moderation (5-7 per week) have no scientific evidence of cancer risk. Likewise, the FDA and its junk scientists have, despite their best efforts, never been able to prove that "second hand smoke" has any effect on health. Sorry, that is just the way it is.
I will take the CDC's and the National Cancer Institute's words over yours on the dangers of secondhand smoke and cigars, including being carcinogenic.
Quote from: Rothman on August 21, 2018, 02:20:59 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 21, 2018, 01:45:53 PM
Seat belts - The physics of someone being "thrown clear" from a non-convertible in a non-fatal manner simply do not exist. likewise the amount of time it would take to remove a seat belt if one somehow crashed into water is measured in fractions of a second, and cannot have any effect on whether one is able to exit the vehicle or not. Both are old saws tossed out by people who don't wear seat belts. AKA stupid people.
Tobacco - Smoking cigarettes, which contain highly hybridized and machine processd tobacco and massive amounts of chemicals, causes cancer. Snuff and chewing tobacco will rot your teath, but there is no real scientific evidence of much else it does. Pipe tobacco and premium cigars, which are made only with natural tobacco without chemical additives, smoked in moderation (5-7 per week) have no scientific evidence of cancer risk. Likewise, the FDA and its junk scientists have, despite their best efforts, never been able to prove that "second hand smoke" has any effect on health. Sorry, that is just the way it is.
I will take the CDC's and the National Cancer Institute's words over yours on the dangers of secondhand smoke and cigars, including being carcinogenic.
I suspect the countless bartenders, casino dealers, etc. who've had to inhale secondhand smoke 8-12 hours a day for their entire careers have a different opinion on the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Smoke is smoke. Its toxicity doesn't change simply because someone else inhaled it first.
President Ulysses S. Grant was a cigar addict and died from throat cancer. Must have just been a coincidence.
But seriously, read the book "The Case Against Sugar" by Gary Taubes. He outlines the history of big tobacco and how they knew the link between tobacco as early as the 1920s but denied it. Basically, prior to the early 20th century, tobacco for cigars had nicotine but was hard to inhale, and tobacco from cigarettes was sweet but not addictive. After big tobacco got split into 4, RJ Reynolds ended up with a crapton of cigar tobacco and decided to blend it with the cigarette tobacco to get rid of it. In 1913 the Camel cigarette was born and had the sweetness plus the nicotine which made it addictive. Needless to say, they weren't complaining that people were getting addicted - was good for the bottom line. They knew as early as the 1920s that it was causing cancer but spent tons of money to cover it up. Finally in the 1960s people were catching on but it wasn't until the 1990s when it started being banned in airplanes and restaurants and public places.
Don't forget Kents, which had a double whammee: Tobacco AND an asbestos filter!
I had no idea that 105 years ago cigarettes had less nicotine.
I found snuff tuff to quit, but I eventually did it cold turkey when I was having problems with heartburn a dozen years ago and tried to eliminate possible causes. There was a point where I was smoking cigars regularly, but I didn't feel addicted and stopped fairly easily. Maybe this was because I didn't inhale. Aversion to inhaling, along with drug tests in the Army, probably led to alcohol becoming my preferred poison. I was an abuser of booze when I was young and it's almost miraculous that I didn't become an alcoholic. It runs through our family. Nowadays, I have about three drinks a month.
On a side note, my phone started updating several apps today and asked if wanted to download an app for finding public restrooms.
Quote from: US71 on August 26, 2018, 04:28:25 PM
On a side note, my phone started updating several apps today and asked if wanted to download an app for finding public restrooms.
That was a plot point from the fake Seinfeld revival on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Quote from: US71 on August 26, 2018, 04:28:25 PM
On a side note, my phone started updating several apps today and asked if wanted to download an app for finding public restrooms.
Way back when, there was an iOS app called "Sit or Squat" that was a public restroom finder.