Ah... WCs in Europe.

All the malls have them and they are usually very clean.

As for Europeans never using the WCs, well, we really haven't developed larger bladders than our US counterparts. We just tend to use the restroom at the restaurant where we are taking a break and having our cup of coffee.

Girlspy: you are correct that in spread out mall cities where people DRIVE everywhere, there are more likely to be public bathrooms--as I mentioned, in malls, etc. This is not so true otherwise. I live in NYC, many stores/boutiques do not have facilities for their customers--browsers or buyers to use.

Part of this has to do with liability--the bathrooms in a boutique are usually in a basement, not a public area. In my early 20s, I had to turn away many a people who had to go to the bathroom when I worked retail in Soho.

I also cannot just traipse into a restaurant and expect them to allow me to use the loo, same with Starbucks--many have locks, same with McDonalds, the one in my neighborhood is locked "for customer use only"--I have to buy something to use the bathroom in these situations. I have found that bars are the only places to go without buying something.

So no, bathrooms are not all availble for public use in the US.

CB-there is no comparison-I repeat-no comparison. NYC has plenty of places to use the facilities MOST PARTICULARLY ITS DEPARTMENT STORES. And even in those smaller boutiques, there is usually a bathroom in the back somewhere that can be used for customers. There is nothing like that in European cities, even some of the bigger department stores in Paris and Germany-it's amazing, really, not to have even ONE restroom for their customers-I can't remember where I was last year, which department store in Paris, but I was amazed that there was not a single one, and they said I could go down the street to MickeyD's. There's no excuse for that.

Girlspy--What department stores? Let's see, Macy's, 2 Bloomingdales, 1 Barneys, 1 Lord and Taylor, 1 Bergdorf's and 1 Bendel's--that is it for ALL of the department stores in Manhattan. Oh, and at Bergdorf's, you have to tip the attendant--so that one is not free.

Most people walking around are not around those few department stores to use the bathroom. And to reiterate, many Starbucks require waiting in line (as a customer) to get a key, Same holds with McDonalds, the boutiques DO NOT have public restrooms, many restaurants have bathrooms are for customers only signs and as I mentioned bars are the best bet.

As a person with a small bladder, I have become very adept at where and where I cannot find a bathroom, and personally, have never found a problem in Paris or Europe in general. Then again, if I need to, 1,50 Euro to buy a cup of coffee in the cafe so I can use the restroom is of no consequence to me.

In either case, you are very wrong about NYC and using the bathroom, either that or you stay in a very limited zone.

Oh for God's sake, Girlspy, give it up. You haven't a clue what you're talking about, as usual. Every department store in Paris has public restrooms, and there are those outdoor self-cleaning public restrooms all over French cities these days.

Why don't you wait until you actually have some accurate information before you post?

This post has certainly taken a different (not fun at all) turn. In response to all the McDonalds naysayers, please know that my last meal request would be two McDonalds hamburgers, a large fry and a large coke (plus a frozen Three Musketeers bar). Yes, really. As a vegetarian for a number of years now, I think fondly of the days when.... And, yes, I have eaten at many expensive restaurants and enjoy those as well.

GST-

You might find you are happy in Switzerland. I too have a small bladder and can't get over the plethora of clean, convenient facilities all over this country. Have only been in one dirty one in 10 months and that was in an Aussie fast food chain restaurant. You just cannot begin to compare the availability of bathrooms in NYC to here... and I lived and worked in NYC for a number of years. In the food stores, train stations, dept. stores, bookstores, mountain restaurants, everywhere.... Outside of Globus Dept Store in Zurich there is a self cleaning toilet that makes me smile everytime I forget to go while in the dept store... stocked, well-lit, cheerful, and very, very clean... forget the scenery and skiing...come see the WCs!!!

>doner kebabs in Munich at 3am like in Paris?
No, no döner at 3am in Munich

Reading the last half a dozen posts in this thread, it is interesting to see that the focus has moved from McDonalds food versus mediocre irish eateries to clean restrooms To me, that is an example of excellent marketing on part of McD. Can you see why they have done so well?

No, actually I think that the restrooms have nothing to do with their sales and more to do with incomplete potty training among American youth.

There is also the fact that the US has beverages that are twice as large [or more (i.e. 'Big Gulp') or even unlimited] as the rest of the world, and all of that excess liquid has to go somewhere.

I was referring to the simple conclusion that McDonalds seem to be identified with clean, free restrooms. But your conclusions are even more dramatic. Do you play chess? I bet you are a Grand Master.

I am not upset whether or not I can get a Big Mac or use their rest rooms.

What has me upset is, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE PORK, in the can of B&M Baked Beans.

Are we not allowed to eat pork and beans anymore?

Putting pork in baked beans is a yankee idiocy not followed in the rest of the world.

I put curry paste in mine, but I am a gourmand.

Just like in France, just about anywhere that you buy a "baba au rhum" it is guaranteed without rum and has just "rum flavor".

Actually, Cholmondley, your view of the world is limited if you have never seen a can of French "cassoulet" -- a speciality of pork and beans (except in SW France where it often becomes 'duck and beans').

Cassoulet is nothing liked baked beans.

Baked beans are what students live on.

Cassoulet would be improved by adding curry paste to it (almost everything is)

do they have cassoulet on toast in France?

May I say that pork-and-beans and baked beans are not the same thing? (thank god) (not that either of them is any good compared to cassoulet, with or without curry paste) I often add chopped onions, coriander, garlic, and/or grated cheese, as well as a hefty sprinkle of Cayenne pepper, if that helps. And it probably means that I totally agree with the addition of curry paste.

Baked beans on marmite toast is one of Britain's greatest dishes.

Honest.

No really.

Just try it - you'll thank me.