"What are mom jeans?"


http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/2005..._350_205.jhtml

http://www.funnyhub.com/videos/pages/mom-jeans.html

In larger hotels, you dress properly and walk in as if you owned the place.

I never knew until now that "civilization" is dependent on restrooms in the lobby? WOW! This is soooooo informative!

*" Please don't tell me Europeans are not as 'civilised' as other parts of the world."*
Do you not see this as an offensive comment, farrermog?

Some travelers use the Wizzinator, handy in un- and civilized locales.

nanabee, why do you assume OP is American?

<Please don't tell me Europeans are not as 'civilised' as other parts of the world.>

farrermog~ Please tell me at least this part of the post is meant with humor?

I cant imagine any large hotel with restaurant, bar - and obviously public rest rooms - would stop anyone walking in to use them - unless the person appeared to be inappropriate (homeless, dirty, smelly, etc).

I have popped in to use rest rooms at several exclusive hotels at which I was not staying - and no one ever batted an eye. And can;t imagine being intimidated by a Four Seasons - they don;t have guards you know. (But- if you look like you're carrying everything you own and haven;t bathed recently - it could be an issue.)

hi, farremog,

i have a variation on this - if you need a pit stop, [loo, drink, rest] find the BEST hotel in town, and order a pot of tea [usually the most liqud for lowest price!] then us the facilities, freshen up, read papers.

it never fails.

you do need to be reasonably dressed though.

regards, ann

The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC has signs saying that only paying guests are allowed in the lobby, so I guess some large hotels do keep people out.

The automated toilets on the streets of Paris are free of charge. In other cities you will pay 0.40€ or 0.50€ to use them.

I think this just depends on the size of the hotel. I don't recall any small hotel having "public" restrooms in the lobby, there isn't really a need for it. If they don't have convention rooms, etc., why would they need a toilet in the lobby? If you are a guest, you have one in your room, and if not, they shouldn't be providing one. Hotels don't want to provide public facilities for street people, etc.

I don't think this is a good plan to expect some people in your room to use a lobby restroom just because you are in a hotel room with only one bathroom. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought someone was planning on that above -- it would take too much time to go all the way there and back in most hotels. I think most people would rather just wait a minute. But, whatever works for you.

For travel, and for life in general, it does help to have a sense of humor. For those who don't, consider this forum free therapy - it'll make you a better traveler. Perhaps we should all move on now ...

Thanks for the Mom Jeans video - that was hysterical!

On occasion, both in the U.S. and Europe, when I have had the sudden need (and I think you know what I mean) to use a public restroom, and a nearby hotel with public facilities beckoned, I have taken advantage of the situation.

I never thought that the toilet police might consider that rude behavior. Of course, I didn't know that using a public restroom in a hotel would upset the hoity toity (especially the toity) guests. Hey, when you've to go.

It has never been a problem, except for the one time a guy kept tapping his foot in the stall next to mine.

OK. It's time for a visit from the "word police". Shouldn't it be "toilets OFF the lobby" rather than "toilets IN the lobby"?

Farremog, in a word....YES. They usually DO have a toilet OFF the lobby.
I have used the facilities of the Savoy and the Ritz, and many other finer hotels in London.
Only once was I stopped and that was the second time I tried to go into the Ritz. The snobby doorman told me they didn't allow women with trousers. I was wearing jeans at the time.
Oh, someday I'll go back and stay there..and wander in and out with jeans on!!

You're probably right Neo Patrick - toilets IN the lobby are probably what has upset some people here; toilets OFF the lobby shouldn't present a problem.

And rather than taking my own advice of quitting while I'm behind (no pun intended, I promise), I wonder whether guests of the Ritz or Savoy have reciprocal rights across town? Some would say guests of the Savoy or Ritz wouldn't do these things, but assuming all travelers have accommodation of some sort and all have a likelihood of er... being caught out some day, perhaps reciprocal rights would in fact be a much more 'civilised' arrangement all round. (Apologies for bringing up the 'C' word again.) For those concerned with equity or who would prefer not to come across their inferiors (in the bathroom of all places), the ratings system could be the way to go - book a 3 star and you can use 3 star and below facilities all across town! The possibilities are endless! Tourist offices and city halls, you heard it here first.

kodi, how many years ago were you told that about women and trousers at the Ritz? I can't imagine anyone could seriously say such a thing today.

Sheez louise! You need to use a bathroom, you go into a cafe and order a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Sit and enjoy. Then use the facilities. Or pay a few cents and use a public restroom. Why are you making this so complicated? Storming the Ritz in jeans or whatever???

Willtravel - that reminds me, I was asked to leave the lobby of a swank hotel in Vancouver in 1979 while lining up at its money changing window. It was a Sunday and there weren't other such offices open at the time in the city area if I recall. And, gee, I didn't even think to try to use the bathroom. I swear I didn't go anywhere near the Fairmont in Victoria.