Hellobee is the best place where people might actually appreciate what I did this week. I made the first corporate complaint of my LIFE yesterday and the store manager actually called me to apologize today! I should be more proactive in the future!

The scenario: I have a very long commute (at least an hour, if traffic is normal). I am also pregnant. I have a tiny bladder normally, which is now miniscule in pregnancy.

Yesterday on my drive into work, there was a random traffic accident when I was only about 4 miles from work. I had to pee, because it'd been an hour since I got in the car, but as I was close to work, I figured I would make it. However, the accident took 20 minutes to get through, and the situation was getting increasingly dire.

At this point, I'd been in the car 1 hr and 20 minutes. I really started to think I was going to wet myself, and have to call in "sick" to work at the last minute (not really possible when you work in a Middle School) to go all the way home and change my pants. I would have absolutely peed in a cup at this point, but I didn't have one in the car! Going on the side of the road was not an option, because I teach in this town, and the road was packed with cars in the traffic jam.

However, I finally got through the traffic mess and got to a 7-11, that I go to probably 10 mornings a month (for water bottles, coffee, etc). This is a small town. I always wear the same red coat. These people know me. I race in and ask to use the bathroom and the guy says no. I am on the verge of tears at this point (my school is only another mile down the road, but I knew with parents drop offs, I wouldn't make it through the parking lot to park and get to a bathroom in time). I tell him it is an EMERGENCY...and we are standing right by the employee only bathroom in the back corner. He says no.

I literally started to tear up at this point, raced back to my car and drove to a nearby Starbucks. THANKFULLY, they had a spot right in front--which never happens because this is the town center and its parallel parking only--and I race inside and relieve myself--just in time.

I was FUMING mad at that 7-11. They can SEE I'm pregnant, I go there all the time (especially lately because I am always thirsty and that is the closest store to my school). It was the same 3 guys working that are always there. I could have very well had an accident if there hadn't been a space in front of Starbucks.

So when I got to work, I googled and found how to make a complaint about a particular 7-11 store and explained, in detail, everything that happened, and ended with "I don't want anything free; I don't want anyone fired--but I would like for employees to be trained to use common sense when it comes to rules. I understand bathrooms may not be for public use, but when a pregnant woman is telling you it's an emergency, she is a regular customer, she is dressed professionally and works at the school nearby, the employee should have some compassion and make an exception to the rule".

Anyway, the manager just called me and apologized, offered me free stuff (which I said I didn't want), offered to have the guy fired (which I said I didn't want), offered to meet with me to apologize in person (which I said was not necessary). I just asked him to pass down to all his employees to exercise good judgement, have compassion, etc.

I'm really glad I made the complaint now. Normally, I let this kind of thing go, but I guess my pregnancy hormones are making me more....I don't know, assertive? agressive? lol

Anyway, just wanted to share my story!!