Posted by Catalina Berenblum on July 19, 2017
As a patient with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, visiting public restrooms is an incredibly regular activity. Such a regular activity, in fact, that I have — on more than one occasion — considered making a photo-series of all of the restrooms I’ve visited (check this one out though, it’s pretty cool - https://tinyurl.com/ya6mbj7k). Over the course of my many excursions to public restrooms, however, I’ve managed to compile a list of characteristics that make them an absolute pleasure to visit. Here's the list:
- First, and most importantly, the best public restrooms are those that allow you to visit them without purchasing something. Walking around a city only to realize that you need to use the restroom and finding no businesses will allow you to visit theirs without purchasing something is an absolute nightmare. Dear [insert restaurant name here], I have a chronic gastrointestinal disease. If I ask you to use your restroom, and tell you that I need to for medical reasons, you have two options: either you let me use your restroom, or end up with a mess.
- Full length mirrors. I’ve probably been sitting there for a while, so I’m going to need to check myself out when I’m done. Please provide one.
- Mirror on top of the sink that is one big piece, rather than small mirrors. Maybe this is my design background kicking in, but honestly, individual mirrors are a thing of the past. We’re a part of the sharing generation. Mirrors should be communal, too.
- Those really cool hand drying things. I’m immunosuppressed. I want to touch as few things as I possibly can. Please provide one of those hand drying things where you insert your hands into a strange contraption. Plus, they don’t scare me anymore like they used to when I was little.
- Disabled stalls with sinks in them. I don’t have an ostomy anymore, but when I did I used to relish walking into a restroom where the disabled stall had a sink in it. When your bag decides to separate from your body in the middle of the day, a sink and some privacy are priceless. Trust me, I’m pretty sure you don’t want me changing my ostomy bag in front of everyone.
- Sinks that are shaped like bowls. Really makes the experience better for me. I’m not even sure why.
- Somewhere flat, next to the toilet, to place my phone. Think about the logistics here: if I’m using my phone while sitting on the toilet (don’t lie, everyone does it), and I need to pull my pants up, I’m going to need somewhere to place my phone in the meantime. I don’t want to put it on the floor, and putting it in my pocket just doesn’t feel safe. Please provide some sort of flat surface I can place it on, even if it’s part of the toilet paper dispenser.
- Hand towels in a nice basket. Special shout-out if they’re nice and soft.
- Good selfie lighting. I’ve probably been in the bathroom for a while. Please provide good selfie lighting so that way I have good reason to have stayed in there that long.
What would you add to the list?
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