Hellobee Boards

Generally I agree with you, but usually stores that don't have customer facilities are very insistent on not making exceptions because they become a slippery slope and who's to decide which exception is worth while (a 2 year old vs a pregnant woman, for example) and which aren't. But I generally think any public place should have public facilities, period.

Yes I think they should, even if they are in an employee only zone. While they don't need to advertise with signage and allow everyone, part of customer service is taking care of your customers and allowing exceptions, particularly when it's for young children!

I was shopping in Nordstrom Rack with my stroller and I asked an employee where the restroom was. This particular location didn't have a restroom in the store, you had to go up to the mall restroom which was up a few floors. Without me asking, an employee offered to escort me to the restroom. I thought they went above and beyond to make my shopping experience easier.

I get and respect that "a rule is a rule across the board" but personally yes, I think it's completely dickish when stores won't let young children use the bathroom when you're in there shopping. Especially children's stores.

There's nothing that irritates me more than shops that exclusively sell toys/maternity/children's products and do not have restrooms, changing areas, and nursing areas. That's just horrible customer service. If they don't, they better be ok with customers letting kids use portable potties in the aisle, or changing babies on their display changing mats!

If you were in the US I'd say maybe someone was trying to play it very by the book with regard to licensing and liability...not that it makes it a nice attitude for the shopkeeper to have! Actually, I do wonder what the laws are in terms of what sort of shop/facility MUST provide restrooms for customers. I'm guessing it only applies to establishments that serve food.

@Mrs. Carrot: I was thinking this as well, that in the US if a bathroom is somewhere weird - I'm imagining in Brooklyn, for example, where I bet some of the facilities are down a ladder- like staircase in century old, unfinished brownstone basements - letting customers use it might be a legal liability? But I'd still be super annoyed at a kids' store not having a kid-friendly bathroom!

Did you ask to speak to a supervisor, or did you just ask a random employee? I feel like the store should have made an exception, but I could see a young teenager or a new employee thinking it's absolutely not allowed and turning the customer away. I think if I had been in your situation, I would have gone to the customer service desk and asked someone there. If they still turned you away, then I would have been put off.

I worked in a small retail store in an outlet mall years ago. Our bathroom was employees only, but I recall allowing young children access on occasion. I think they should have made an exception.

That said, when I'm out with my family, I purposely avoid places that don't have handicapped accessible bathrooms, Family bathroom are the absolute best. Because accessible restrooms take up a lot of space, they are only required in certain places (like restaurants, other places that serve food).

It limits where we can go, but that's just the way it is. Movies theaters are the worst. There are never family restrooms and the women's is always super crowded.

I'm not super surprised at this happening in Europe where bathrooms are a lot harder to come by! I agree that it is a dumb policy in particular for a children's store.

@lamariniere: I think a children's store should, but Europe is notorious for being anti-customer.

Hmm I don't know. Stores have corporate policies and are mainly worried about getting sued because someone falls/eats bleach/wanders into the storage room etc. I've never been to a grocery store where they didn't have a public restroom but that seems wrong to me because you're spending more time there on the average shopping trip. My LO's been potty trained for a year and even when she was in the 'I have to go RIGHT NOW!' stage I was always able to take her out of a store to find a br or run to the car to go in the car potty (which I honestly preferred.) Idk I guess I just don't have the expectation that I should be able to use the bathroom anywhere I go.

@pinkcupcake: agreed that all businesses should have a bathroom. I think it's ridiculous and borderline cruel to not allow someone access to a bathroom when necessary.

@pinkcupcake: true. I have a bladder disorder. I've been in the position where I couldn't relieve myself and it's been extremely painful. It's awful.