Spend a penny

[Bisz]

Pay toilets all over Europe, I use them all the time when I'm there.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Do these pay toilets accept only cash, or can people swipe a card?

 

[Starkers]

I am an expert at swanning into any establishment and acting like I'm just popping into the loo before I order something and then leaving.

Whereas I think I probably look suspicious even though I'm actually planning to purchase something!

 

[Bisz]

Do these pay toilets accept only cash, or can people swipe a card?

In my experience vast majority is cash only.

 

[Astra]

In my experience vast majority is cash only.

And sometimes only certain coins are allowed. And no change given.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Do these pay toilets accept only cash, or can people swipe a card?

In my experience vast majority is cash only.

Ouch!

 

[BillJ]

I am an expert at swanning into any establishment and acting like I'm just popping into the loo before I order something and then leaving.

You are, without a doubt, history's greatest monster!

 

[MANT!]

Used to be pay toilets in Greyhound bus stations in California, they were a dime, and if you had no cash, you could either climb over the door, or try to slip under it..
(always made sure the stall wasn't occupied before the attempt and if I tried the under door method,I used plenty of paper towels to cover the floor first...) ..

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2oK5n0M3zw[/yt]

 

[Naira]

It is not very common here in Greece. People believe it is downright rude to ask for money to use a toilet. However, I have seen some paid toilets in train and bus stations.

In older days, in such stations and also some night clubs it was common to find a lady outside the toilet who was the cleaner and would give you some toilet paper in exchange for money. However, this is a very rare sight now.

 

[urbandefault]

Every time I see the title of this thread I hear Mrs. Slocombe's voice.

I haven't seen a pay toilet in decades, but it was probably in the airport.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I hear the phrase "spend a penny" and I think of the Python sketch about the marathon runners. That's the only time I ever heard that phrase used to describe going to the bathroom.

It is not very common here in Greece. People believe it is downright rude to ask for money to use a toilet.

I agree completely.

 

[WillsBabe]

I am an expert at swanning into any establishment and acting like I'm just popping into the loo before I order something and then leaving.

My mother in law, niece and I once did that in a pub. Embarrassingly, the landlord was waiting in the bar for our re-appearance. He and the other customers stared at us all the way out the door.

 

[scotpens]

There used to be a few pay toilets in restaurants, bars and other public places here in SoCal. They usually cost a quarter. I haven't seen one in the last 20 years, though.

Used to be pay toilets in Greyhound bus stations in California, they were a dime, and if you had no cash, you could either climb over the door, or try to slip under it..
(always made sure the stall wasn't occupied before the attempt and if I tried the under door method,I used plenty of paper towels to cover the floor first...) ..

That reminds me of the old joke that limbo dancing was invented by a Scotsman trying to get into a pay toilet.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I am an expert at swanning into any establishment and acting like I'm just popping into the loo before I order something and then leaving.

My mother in law, niece and I once did that in a pub. Embarrassingly, the landlord was waiting in the bar for our re-appearance. He and the other customers stared at us all the way out the door.

I usually feel guilty enough when I run into a Tim Horton's just to use the washroom, that I'll usually end up buying a couple of Timbits before I leave!

 

[Astra]

That reminds me of the old joke that limbo dancing was invented by a Scotsman trying to get into a pay toilet.

Apparently that's not the only dance that got invented this way

 

[Miss Chicken]

That reminds me of the old joke that limbo dancing was invented by a Scotsman trying to get into a pay toilet.

Apparently that's not the only dance that got invented this way

That was hilarious.

 

[Magellan]

We have pay toilets everywhere here, and generally its better than hunting down the free ones()

I paid the equivalent of 15 cents just yesterday at the supermarket. Still, even here, not for a penny.

 

[scotpens]

I am an expert at swanning into any establishment and acting like I'm just popping into the loo before I order something and then leaving.

At first I read that as "acting like I'm just pooping into the loo."

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

By extrapolation, Douglas Adams came up with the following:

For years, the fabulously beautiful planet of Bethselamin increased its booming tourist industry without any worries at all. Alas, as is often the case, this was an act of utter stupidity, as it led to a colossal cumulative erosion problem. Of course, what else could one expect with ten billion tourists per annum? Thus today the net balance between the amount you eat and the amount you excrete while on the planet is surgically removed from your body weight when you leave; so every time you got to the lavatory there, it is vitally important to get a receipt.

http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Bethselamin

 

[KlavsPrieditis]

I am listening to David Crystal's 'the History of English in 100 words'. In the chapter 'Money' he mentions the term 'spend a penny' which he states doesn't take into account that it costs more than a penny to use a toilet nowadays, he suggests it costs at least 20p, maybe more.

I haven't had to pay anything to use a toilet for about 20 to 25 years though a friend told me that one place she knows of charged up to about 15 years ago.

So, I am asking people here do you ever have to pay to toilet/restroom?

Oo I thought that this book has much more meaning like it is.. He talks there about toilet cost?? Really??)) I paid for the toilet but in the shopping centers and beaches. And in restaurants, cinemas, bars etc it always free..