Bathroom Adventures

Have you ever been in a public restroom and noticed something that just wasn't right?  Out of toilet paper? Toilet backed up/not flushed? No paper towels to dry your hands and no air dryers either? Just plumb dirty? Well, what do you do when one of these things does happen?

1. Leave it for a staff person to find or someone else to report?
2. Go up to the staff person (usually someone of the opposite sex) and tell them the issue?  I envision you telling them that there was no toilet paper and let them wonder if you noticed it and left the bathroom or if you used the restroom without wiping.

While I am guilty of doing both options above, I wanted to share a nice solution one companyimplemented in their restaurant.  Right next to the sinks, there was a red light switch with a little sign above it that read something like: "I you find anything wrong with this restroom, please turn on the switch to notify us of the issue".  I can only envision that there was a flashing red light and siren in the kitchen that notified the entire staff, although it could be a little less subtle.  

One way or another, I thought this was a great solution as then a staff member can come inspect the bathroom rather quickly without someone having to actually tell anyone face to face that there was a problem.  It just so happens, I had the priveledge of using that switch that day as they were out of paper towels.  Now, if only more places would implement something like that.