Where are they? Pretentious restaurants and, especially, pretentious bars that double as ersatz nightclubs, in my experience.

There's also one in the Charlotte airport (CLT). I think he's in the D concourse, maybe E.

Wow! Now that's the sort of place I've never seen one!

Yup, I always see them whenever I have a layover at CLT. Apparently they're hired by the airport and their purpose is to make sure that bathroom is clean and to regulate the traffic.

Actually, you'll find bathroom attendants in lots of bars in Central London (particularly Soho), both gay and straight, and certainly not pretentious places. I was of the impression that really they're there to make sure that people use the cubicles to neither (a) get off with each other or (b) do drugs.

When I was younger, I used to feel a lot more uncomfortable about not leaving a tip, but as I've become older and slightly grumpier, I've got no problem using soap and paper towels, even if they are supplied by the attendant, and not leaving a tip. Every licenced facility in the UK is required by law to supply a toilet, soap, running water, and a means of drying one's hands. It's not like they're doing me any favours; they're obeying the law.

The last one I saw as at B.B. Kings in Nashville. Hardly high class!

Obviously, based on several of the posts above, I was being unduly cynical (if that's the word). :eek:

I guess I don't get out enough. I have never encountered a bathroom attendant, even on my Vegas trips. In fact, I had never heard of them until I read this thread.

Last year we decided to try a cruise. The ship was lovely, as were its bathrooms, and there was an attendant in the men’s room near the dining room. No tips were expected in that situation; but the men’s room attendant was a woman! It made Mr. bv quite uncomfortable. Guys - would that bother you? Or is Mr. bv just (charmingly) old-fashioned?

I'm pleased you don't find them in the toilets at work.

A question that needs to be answered is whether anyone does not wash their hands after using the facilities purely to avoid confrontation??? Shamefully I have been known to do this. However, if their is a frosty pint waiting in the bar area, their is normally enough condensation on the glass to give them the quick once over lol.

I would cope, but I would think it odd, and possibly even inappropriate. What is the point of it, I wonder. And, quite clearly, there is no way that it would be countenanced in reverse (i.e. a male attendant in a women's public lavatory)...

I agree... it has to be awkward for all involved. I tip to be kind (usually $1 or less depending on what I have in my pocket) and always try to engage them in some conversation.

That's debatable! :D

I’m capable of getting the soap and water myself too, I’m capable of parking my own car, I’m capable of cooking my own meals…

This is a service like any other, you can use it or not. Personally I have always believed this is a great service, (specially the amenities). I always accept the opening of faucet and handing a paper towel part from the BA. I would consider it rude on my behave not to accept it. You see, this guy has not been as lucky as myself (or he has not been able to understand how to improve his luck) and he is making an effort to give a service. So rejecting the courtesy of opening the faucet and handing the paper towel is like rejecting him as a human being, I like to think I’m better that that, If I decide to tip him or not is irrelevant, I would always thank him straight in the eye; Thank you, I appreciate that… And If I leave or not a tip is irrelevant.

Now, what I consider a great service is been able to leave a tip and take a mint, or eye drops (no, I don’t have fear of infection..) , or comb my hear (no fear of lice either), and if needed, have a shoeshine… Hell, those are all things that I value for the strategic moment. I’ve even had a tie cleaned up after a meal accident…

So its like any other thing, if it’s a guy that is into the service business, he will have the things you could need and if you need them, I’m sure you will gladly leave a buck for a 10 cent mint if you need to clear your breath, been tacky with those 90 cents could cost you hundreds if you blew it just for a bad breath…


Of course, I’ve been in bathrooms where the guy is just an opportunist, and has no real “service”. From those, I will accept their courtesy and sincerely thank them, but maybe I wouldn’t tip them.


But going back to the OP’s question; yes, you are entitled to use/take whatever you consider of value in that situation and you should have the correspondent gratitude… (Don’t be tacky, come on, he’s making a living from the shithouse…)

I have no problem with someone fastidiously keeping the restroom clean - I really appreciate that, but feel uncomfortable when they're standing there 'lurking', particularly if I'm the only one in there. I become very self conscious. If you're in the restroom one way or another you should be busy going about your business :D