inBOIL

These guys are seriously annoying. I'm a big boy; I can turn the faucet on and dry my hands all by myself. I can see no benefit in having the above done for me by some guy in a tuxedo. And I resent being expected to tip for having this service foisted upon me. Then there's the tray of goodies that usually accompany them. Gum and mints? Really? If I found it in a public restroom, even neatly arranged on a clean-looking table, I'm not putting it in my mouth. And who the hell is in such urgent need of cologne? Nobody I know, that's for sure.

Now I can see the benefit of encouraging proper hand-washing, or discouraging inappropriate uses of the restroom, but is this really such an issue that it's worth having a guy standing around all day getting in the way and hustling tips?

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Grancey

I generally don't use public restrooms due to my germaphobia, but if someone wanted to open the door for me and turn the faucet on for me, etc., then I would be all for that. But as for a tray of goodies? No way.

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snowy

Restroom attendants are very much an East Coast thing. I'm not sure I've ever seen one out here, even in some very fancy places.

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Borla

There are quite a few of the nicer restaurants in Chicago that have them as well.


I find them highly annoying. It's like there is an obligation to tip them or you are rude, but I have no need for them and hardly ever carry small bills on me.

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KellyC

I didn't know that. There's some in Seattle and Bellevue. But said places are clubs and casinos, fancier than your average outing, but not like five star hotels and restaurants.

I think restroom attendant is an outdated thing. We're in an age where there's automatic/sensored running water, soap dispenser, and hand dryer in public restrooms. We don't need them any more. I have no need for them so I don't use them so I don't tip whenever there's one. Though I do kind of feel sorry for them.

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Willravel

They're creepy.

raging moderate

I always feel like they're watching me whip it out. I think anyone who hangs out in a bathroom all day is a weirdo whether their getting paid for it or not.

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Wes Mantooth

I can't stand them myself and often avoid any restroom where an attendant is present simply because its VERY annoying having to interact with somebody just to take a piss...let alone having to tip them for the privillage. I guess some people like it...maybe it adds an air of sophistication? Personally it just comes across as snotty and pointless to me, but to each his own.

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kramus

x2

Seriously annoying. I hate having an over-obsequious over-dressed towel pimp bother me when I enter, watch me while I piss/whatever, and then leap all over me as I try to access a sink amidst a phalanx of toiletries crap I would never use. "Soap, sir?" And then the whipping out of a towel or tearing off of a strip of paper towel and stepping in front of me before I can get some myself. Just fuck off, dude. Seriously.

I have also seen them in dingy trailers at weekend "fairs" where knock-off goods were sold from folding tables, and in smelly little restrooms in Chinatown where they hand you a metered strip of paper and that is the only towel in town. The thought that this is the only way these guys make coin is both sad and a bit creepy. It actually spoils things for me for a while. A john is not a place I want to be propositioned.

At least they don't offer oral sex. Then again, I never have seen an attendant when it was a really slow day . . .

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Manic_Skafe

Exactly. There are a few things more infuriating than knowing that you've almost pissed your pants waiting on a ridiculous bathroom line because all the stalls are taken by socially defective meatheads trying desperately to recreate that coke in the bathroom scene from American Psycho. Bathroom attendants can be kinda creepy when they become too involved in what should be a rather private experience but at least their presence cuts down on that kinda riffraff.

Not to mention that the mints, condoms, etc. they typically have on display can save your ass in a pinch. I tip 'em a buck or two every time I use the bathroom.

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Redlemon

I very rarely am in the kind of place that has an attendant. I don't feel comfortable in that sort of situation.

I also wanted to add this link: McDonald’s Bathroom Attendant « Improv Everywhere.

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ring

Are there attendants in women's restrooms too?

I have no idea.

bazkitcase5

never been in a place with an attendant, very thankfully so...

I would find it kind of creepy myself

Charlatan

I always ask them to come over and hold it for me...

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RangerJoe

There's a dance club in Indianapolis called The Vogue that uses restroom attendants at times. It's always been the same shabby looking girl. She doesn't do much. Hands you a paper towel when you're done washing your hands and lights your cigarettes. She's nice, but since the bathroom is pretty nasty (as is the girl), it doesn't help with the image of the club any.

little_tippler

I have never seen rest room attendants here. But there is a vague memory in my head of one somewhere...must be in New York.

I think it's weird and I feel sorry for the people who have to do that job. It's totally unnecessary.

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PonyPotato

She might just be there to report anyone participating in any funny business to security.

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ZombieSquirrel

There's a club that I go to that has bathroom attendants in both the men's and women's restrooms. I honestly believe they are there to prevent anyone from having sex in the stalls. They don't do anything but hand you a towel.

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Glory's Sun

The best ones are always at strip clubs, they try to get you to buy shit so the "girls will like you".

I'm going to steal charlatan's method from now on and ask if they can hold it for me.

shalafi

I hate when I go somewhere that has one of those guys. I always feel guilty if I don't have any cash for a tip. On the other hand I can see why some places may feel the need to have them there. It probably is less intrusive/obvious (less expensive also) than stationing a bouncer/security in there.

Halanna

Incredibly annoying and unnecessary.

It's bad enough that you are in a pubic restroom to begin with, no one there wants to be there but obviously has no choice, then to add the obtrusiveness of the attendant . . .

Makes an uncomfortable situation worse.

Seaver

They actually prevent me from washing my hands after. I dont want to be bothered nor feel awkward about not tipping.

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CinnamonGirl

Place I used to go dancing had an attendant. She had awesome lotion. I actually felt kinda bad that her job was handing people paper towels.


Anyway, I don't usually go to places with attendants, so when I come across them, it's not a big deal. I pretty much always tip a dollar.

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lostgirl

Been to a few places that had them, and found it a bit intrusive. They seem to be there to discorage certian behaviors.

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Vinrej

I hate them even in clubs. Some attendants will start rubbing your back and neck and offer you a massage...I just tell them I'm still good and no need for a massage yet.

dlish

not sure what clubs you go to. but ive never been offered a massage or been rubbed on the back prior to being propositioned.

you sure it's just a club?

they are everywhere here in the UAE. especially in the big malls, and in all the hotels. they usually dont stay around when i need to drop off the parcels.

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Cynthetiq

YES! Men don't carry around all their touch ups like women do in their purses. Even with the advent of men carrying around a man bag, they don't carry hair gel, hair spray, cologne, or anything to freshen themselves up. Women do.

I've seen attendants in clubs and restaurants from NY to LA, Singapore to Manila. I haven't done much European clubbing because I'm not into the scene at all even in the slightest little bit.

At one time I dated a girl who found herself a job at a club who didn't have a bathroom attendant. She made only tips, and she made a decent amount since some people felt inclined to give her a dollar for a visit. I bring her flowers which she'd put in a vase to help make the bathroom look a little nicer, and she'd tell the bartender to take care of me.

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canuckguy

There are not many places here that have attendants luckily. I find them more in big city places when we head into Toronto. I find them creepy and useless, plus sometimes if the bathroom is small they can give me stage fright if there all up on you.

I do usually tip if i use something they handled to me, only because i feel bad for someone stuck in a bathroom all day smelling people shit. although i'd never be able to hang one due to said stage fright!