Paying to use toilet

[funkyrich]

Whilst on holiday abroad recently I noticed that you have to pay to use some public toilets.The thing that annoyed me was that there was no sign before hand saying that you were required to pay a fee. It was only after you had been that you were stopped and asked. This african lady got quite aggresive when I tried to explain to her that I had no money on me so couldn't pay her. So I just turned and walked away.
The question is has anyone else experienced this and why should we pay for needing to use a public toilet?

[CheekyChops]

You pay for using public toilets over here sometimes...

Are you sure the lady actually worked there or could she have been a con woman trying it on with unsuspecting tourists? I don't know where you went but I would imagine they should have a sign warning you of a charge.

[Reverandfunk]

U have to pay at Victoria coach station

[China Doll]

You have to pay 20p at Waterloo Station and it really annoys me. Why should I have to pay to go to the toilet?! Would you rather I just went where I stood?

Ahem... sorry, rant over.

[Reverandfunk]

China but whats happens when you've drunk 8 pints lol

[China Doll]

The chances of me being able to drink and indeed retain 8 pints long enough to go to the toilet are highly unlikely Rev!

[Buenchico]

Toilets cost money to provide and staff, so why shouldn't you have to pay?

A fee of 20p is charged at all main London railway stations, and also at other major stations (such as Brighton).

Many British towns now charge to use their toilet facilities (e.g. 20p on Scarborough seafront). In London, it will cost you 50p to use the toilets in Parliament Square.

Most European countries have always recognised that the best way to pay for a service is to charge the people who use it. The UK is finally coming into line.

Chris

[delboy3]

I once got ranted at by a mad old witch at a public convenience in Italy; I was young and scared so I turned on my heels. My granddad went back with me and told her to eff off.
The only place I've had to pay for a pee is at Birmingham New Street station - but by the state of the place, I think they were taking the pee aswell.

[RATTER15]

When I was a child we had to pay to use all public toilets in this country!!! hence: "spend a penny!!" it was 1 penny to get in, but if you were crafty you would hang around outside and ask nicely, people would willingly give you a penny for the toilet, you could then go and buy four Black Jacks!!

[POLLIANNA]

Harrods is a �1 for the toilet !

[wendilla]

Harrods �1 huh. I would expect tea and a biscuit as well.

[Beads]

They should tell you before. And if someone didn't tell me before then I would not pay!

[funkyrich]

Thanks for your answers and opinions. I was in Italy when this happened and had run out of smaller change when I needed to go.