Question of the Day | 08/30/2009 11:00 pm
Where is the best public bathroom you know? What makes it so?

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Definitely, the Ritz Carleton in Chicago. . . a place I always take my friends to as we tour the city. Just getting off the crystal-chandeliered elevator into the hotel lobby in Water Tower Place in Chicago is wonderful. With the gorgeous fountain - like I have seen no where else - and then down the long corridor banked with comfortable sofas and wall hangings - and voila! in a half-hidden side space you walk into the ladies room. . which is actually two rooms. The first, like an Arabian circular tented room banked with individual mirrors for refreshing makeup … and then each toilet stall is has a louvered door to the floor with space inside - not crammed. Hand towels are piled by the sinks with the entire result sheer luxury. Rest assured that long after "the visit" it remains solidly in the mind — for this, ladies, is "living" and aren’t we worth it????? Joan
Susan … I am heavily involved in the renovation of a large public building. The state laws state that outdated washrooms must conform to new codes. But amazingly, the new codes state or allow the stalls to have NO doors on them. The idea is that behind those doors sex acts are often going on — and this will cut down on supervision and problems. I like the automatic flush as I think that people are now reluctant to touch ANYTHING in a public washroom. On the toll road ones, I hate to go out and open the door — and I have not been paranoid but this is a different world.
Good luck at school this year, Susan!
The one that is close by when I need one! Oh, that I could always be near a hospital, as they usually have the cleanest toilets due to disinfectants. I think women are particularly concerned about finding clean bathrooms, and some women want clean bathrooms with changing stations. Public bathrooms seems to generate feelings of anxiety, fear and disgust. Public bathrooms may contain several kinds of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, coliform, rotavirus, cold virus and staph. However, we are more likely to pick these bugs up by touching things with our hands, rather than our behinds. Although I personally never touch a public toilet seat. Ever. Or a door or a sink or anything in a public bathroom. In general, washing your hands is the most effective thing you can do to prevent bacterial infections from a public restroom. You can remove all gastrointestinal and respiratory infection bacteria by hand washing. Use lots of soap, and rub your hands for 30 seconds at least. In between the fingers, finger nails, etc. Use lots of friction. And don’t let your purse or other belongings touch the floor. Ever. The highest concentration of germs in a public bathroom are on the floor, the sink, and water taps. Never place your handbag on the floor. You don’t want to know about the fecal bacteria you can get on the bottom of your handbag from doing that. And avoid the middle stall of a public restroom. It usually has the most bacteria, as people use it the most. The first stall will probably be cleaner. And don’t hold back. It’s better to empty your bladder, and avoid developing a urinary infection, than being afraid to use a public restroom. Just be careful. Don’t touch anything. And wash your hands.
Hi Phyllis,
You reminded me of how on my recent trip there were very few instances where the doors had hooks on them. It was challenging. My sister, when she travels out of country, brings a door hook with her. She’s always prepared.
Loved your witty post!
Best,
NP, I don’t know why a couple of the posters on here thought you were trying to be funny. I don’t think you were. You believe everything you said. And I agree——-here I thought I was the only germ freak.
When I bring my granddaughters into public restrooms I become a raving lunatic. DON’T TOUCH THE TOILET, DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING AS A MATTER OF FACT.! One day I lifted the seat & had my granddaughter stand on the toilet a squat over it, since she was too young to stand and squat. After washing my hands I use (& trained the girls to do the same) the paper to open the door.
I never put my purse on ANY floor.
Here’s a link re a public bathroom experience we have probably all had at one time or another.
http://www.uoaa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=13101
NP, very funny bathroom story. However, how many here have traveled to or lived in foreign countries? Talk about trembling thighs; Chinese toilets are a real challenge, and Mexican are a treat to the nose, not to mention the germs. Don’t even expect to find paper there. In China and Japan people come out of the bathrooms waving their washed hands in the air to dry them. It’s a very funny scene.
As long as I always have a kleenex packet in my purse, I’m saved. After China, I went back to the gym to work on my thighs.

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