After five trips to Europe, I finally realized that the restrooms' "pay-to-pee" policy is apparantly a tourist trap.

My first clue was when a group of local women laughed at my Dad's wife for paying to use the bathroom. Often, you will see a table with a basket for coins, and sometimes there is an attendant sitting at the table. I also noticed that individuals who were citizens of that particular country simply walked into the restroom without paying, and nothing was said.

In Salsburg, my Dad's wife and I both walked into a bathroom. I did not see a basket for coins, so after I used the bathroom, I just walked out. Another young woman came in at the same time, spoke in German to the attendant, and walked out as well. However, when my Dad's wife walked by the attendant, the attendant followed her out, yelling at her, probably because she did not put any coins in the basket. At another place, we confidently walked in and out without paying, as did just about everyone else, except for some we heard speak English.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with this situation? I certainly don't want to offend anyone when we visit their country; however, I also don't want to be taken advantage of.

While it doesn't surprise me that they let the locals pee for free, it doesn't bother me to pay .50 to use the facilities when I need them.

there are restrooms here in the US that I would gladly pay 0.50 for if that meant they would be kept clean. Honestly, after spending $3000 on a vacation, I'm not complaining about leaving a restroom attendant .50
My favorite was the lady at the public toilets along the Champs that rapped on the stall door when someone took too long and she had a line to keep moving..

I really don't think you're being discriminated against....some dragon ladies (sometimes they are males) are more aggresive than others; in some cases although there is a plate it is sort of voluntary or suggested....in other cases if the loo is really busy, they lose track....I have never gotten the feeling they know you are a tourist necessarily.

Anyway, for the most part, those loos that are attended at least are usually clean.

If there's a plate, it is most likely tips for the attendant; if the restroom is clean and well maintained, it may be appropriate to leave one. The manner of the attendant should not enter into it. If you MUST pay, there will be a turnstile entering the toilet room or coin slot at the door of the stall.

Remember 'what you have'nt in your hand you cannot hold'
In Venice its E1 a visit.

When we were in Ireland, I believe Dublin. You had to pur a euro in the door to unlock it to the main bathroom. The locals told us to wait until someone came out and then go in.
Like others have said.....I am happy to pay for a clean toilet. Ever been to Mardi Gras? I paid for a nightmare and then threatened the woman with the sanitation dept. to get my $1.00 back.

Hi G,

The attendant is not very well paid to provide you with a much better rest room than you would have had otherwise.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

In the boondocks of Thailand I had to pay to get toilet paper!!

John,

I guess that they haven't progressed to the paperless society yet, eh what?

In Paris, for example, there are attendants who do a good job of cleaning up so it's worth it, tourist trap or not. I don't find it an inconvenience to pay. At home, surely I would complain, but not in Europe. Maybe I feel that the janitors here in the US are getting paid quite a bit more than the ones in Europe?

In Italy sure we paid and many toilets were missing the seats. But they were clean! And one attendant was an old lady who ran after anyone who did not pay so you really did not have much of a choice.

I think anyone who has to clean a public toilet facility for a living deserves all the tips she can get.

if you can afford a trip to europe, you can certainly afford to chip in a bit to the local economy to use a rest room.

There are some places where it is mandatory and you cannot get in without paying. I know because whenever I encountered this, I happened to be able to read the local language and could read the signs (I think the Lyon rail station toilets are like that). Or you would get a coin to use to get in only after paying, things like that.

In some other places, there is an attendant with a basket and no specific sign saying you must pay. I always tips something because they keep them clean and it is really nice to have clean public restrooms. This is not a large amount, maybe .50 euro. I find it hard to believe that you have gone on multiple trips to Europe and actually are keeping track of this information and posting about it because it is such a concern to you and you are so disturbed about paying.

There are some places in many countries, including the US, where there are attendants who are strictly freelance doing this, not even authorized by the place.

I tip them also. Why? Because in my opinion anyone who needs money enough to work in a bathroom deserves some spare change of mine. I give to many other charities, why should I refuse to give to someone just because they are in front of me. I can't think of any person doing this who does not need the money very very badly. Of course, if you feel so taken advantage of that you can't pay .50 euro or so to a person working in a bathroom, then keep your money, and enjoy the rest of your European vacation.

The issue isn't whether or not one can afford to pay to use the bathroom. Based on my experience, this practice appears to be aimed at uninformed tourists. Is it THAT big of a deal? No. However, it is extremely frustrating to have to use the bathroom very badly and be left fumbling for the correct change. And the cost does add up when you spend a couple of weeks overseas and must use public restrooms while sightseeing.

Not that much money over a two week period globerunner. If one can afford to got to Europe for even two weeks one can afford a small bit of money for the restroom attendants. I agree with Christina.

How much do you spend during your time in Europe for wine, coffee, bottle water etc? Something to think about.

I'm not sure this is something that's aimed at tourists. In Belgium (or Brussels, at least), in most public toilets (e.g. in cinemas, stations, shopping centres, etc.) you have to pay a few coins to the "Dame pipi" in order to use the facilities.

One thing I have noticed, however, is that the locals tend to pay on the way out, not as they go in. Everyone pays though, whether they are Belgian or tourists. Even if you tried to sneak out without paying, these ladies don't miss a trick!

Apart from some popular monuments and tourist sites, I can't believe that toilet attendants would make enough money from simply targetting tourists alone.

In France, rarely does one not have to pay as a local (sometimes if you are a customer you get to go for free) from what you describe, the ones who did not pay were regulars and the only reason only one of you had to pay was that, as a group, you were seen to be taking advantage of the toilet...

I recall a very excited young man of 16 roaring back into the restaurant at Planet Hollywood in London to tell us, his parents, that he had just tipped the restroom attendant 1 British pound! (sorry don't have that key)
He was so overwhelmed with the good service ie; the attendant guided him to the soap dispenser, then stood by his side with a little paper towel all the time refering to him as "Sir". When he looked down at the coin dish all he saw there were pound coins and stuck one in! We realise now that the clever attendant removes all 20/50p pieces and probably puts in the pound coins himself.
Anyway we had a good cry because in those days the exchange rate was about 12 to one! Imagine paying $12US for pee!! (We were paying in Rands).

I remember our first trip to the Czech Republic in '89 (or Czechoslovakia as it was then) when you had the give the little old lady in charge some coins, in return for 1 sheet of loo paper. It came in 2 varieties, the hard shiny stuff that resembled grease-proof paper or the grey recycled stuff that was like sandpaper. We soon learned to keep a pack of paper tissues in our pocket!

I always enter foriegn loos with some trepidation and would much rather pay a few coins for a clean one. I believe in some places it's custom to pay on the way out, if the facilities are up to standard.