Whats worse is going into a public restroom with an attendant there to hand you paper towels and collect tips.
>>Whats worse is going into a public restroom with an attendant there to hand you paper towels and collect tips.<<
I really hate that. I grew up too suburban, I suppose...
That's one of the very crass things I despise about my visits to Europe. Some old bag sitting across from the urinals and holding the paper towels hostage. Usually at the big movie theaters.
One night, I was having dinner in a fairly nice restaurant.
Went to the restroom and there was an black attendant passing out paper towels, had an assortment condoms, and common colognes available as well.
I’m off in a corner minding my own business when another black restaurant patron walks in, sees the attendant and started to berate him for doing such a demeaning job.
The attendant laughs and said in effect, “Brother, I work five hours a night, three days a week and bring home $80,000 dollars a year - in tax free cash handing out paper towels and condoms to rich white folk. And the restaurant provides the paper towels!”
Left the other black guy kind of speachless.
In Eastern Europe the attendant sits outside of the immediate stall/urinal area (you get some privacy). Often it is an older unhappy woman. You can buy toilet paper squares from her before you enter the bathroom (and tip) or bring your own.
I think she's there as much to stand guard against vandalism and drug users as she is to draw income.