What if I'm looking for a bathroom, I can't find one, and my bladder explodes?
Ever stop and wonder, what's the Christian way to roll with this? Here's a real life applicational situation ...
A guy slips in the through the back/side door at Dairy Queen. He goes right into the restroom and he's in there ... a while. He comes out and slips right back out the back/side door.I thought, "That's pretty brazen, especially as I think he did more than #1. I would have had to buy something."
Even at a gas station I feel inclined to buy a pack of gum or a Coke. Is that misplaced guilt or obligation?
So, do you feel inclined to buy something when you use an establishment's restroom?
Is that the Christian way to go, buying something?
Are gas stations in a different category? Does the cleanliness affect whether or not you make a guilt offering?
How do you roll?
Labels: Good Bull
posted by GUNNY @ 09:53
13 comments
13 Comments:
I feel obligated - not because I "have to", but because I used to work in such places. At least I feel like I am supporting the people that work there.
I don't know about it being a "Christian" thing to do or not... but it 'feels' right to me. (Not the best source of why, but...)
Actually, I used McDonald's on the road. I figure I've bought enough french fries to give me a life time pass to all their potties! :)
Timothy, I have a little of that too. If it's a gas station's chain I frequent, then I feel like "I'm a loyal customer, so how about we take care of each other?"
I also wonder about the categorical imperative and wonder if the restrooms would be cleaner if the gas station attendants thought they were cleaning them for customers instead of just passersby.
I usually buy a small box of Chicklets.
I have done the passerby at a Dairy Queen before with the three kids. Glad those trips are over. Yeah, I feel like a heel when I just come in and dump all in their restroom, but I still do. Guilty. You caught me.
Next time I come to your house, Eric, it will be to just use your head.
I stopped feeling any guilt about it after I had children. The alternatives of the crumb-muncher going 1) in my car or 2) on the side of the road rendered any guilt to the dust bin.
Let's face it, this is a lot like tipping: I'd pay to use the restroom. Why don't you just charge me, instead of expecting me to buy something.
The dirty truth here is that because they don't charge, restroom purveyors feel they can leave their public toilets in the most unsanitary of conditions.
What about Bob?
I feel obligated at fast foods, but not at gas stations. They have always seemed like the fast stop version of rest areas to me when traveling. Of course, 75% of the time I do buy gas too.
I always ask to use the restroom.
But, this reminds me of a time me and the family where in a fast food restaurant eating lunch. We see a lady get out of her car and come in the side entrance. She is holding a HUGE disposable beverage cup from this restaurant chain. She walks over to the beverage dispenser and fills up her cup - then, walks out the door, gets in her car and leaves! We were shocked. That, my friends, is gutsy! (And would be considered stealing in my book)! :0
The restaurants consider it stealing, too.
As for guilt, I have none. If they don't want me in there, lock the door and make me ask for the key. In Turkey they have an attendant posted to collect Lira at the door. I'd be fine with that too (except the lira part...tough to get lira here in the US of A).
However, my perspective changes if the establishment offers pints. Then I feel obligated to meet the commercial needs of the establishment (when not traveling, of course).
Kelly, I never thought of just asking to use their restroom. If they say you have to buy something, than I guess one could hold it and save it for the next place, or buy something.
Lance, you buy a whole small box of Chicklets? I usually open up the box and ask, "How much for one Chicklet?"
Either that or I ask how much for a Coke ... without the straw, cup & ice. "Will you splash my hands for a dime?"
Teresa, I too approach the fast food joint differently than a gas station. I wonder, would anyone walk through the door at Chili's or Olive Garden, etc. and when asked, "Table for one?" say, "No, I'm just here to use the head."
Brandi, I will make you endure a night's stay and play with my kids if you come here to use the head.
Kelly, that is a story of being quite brazen. She just reloaded her cup and didn't even use the potty?!
Matt, I will be sure to bring a pocketful of Lire when traveling through TN.
;-)
M, I think some would be more than willing to pay for a clean restroom.
By the way, did you hear about the Aggie who was driving and saw the sign that said, "Clean Restrooms Ahead," so he did?
Good insights from my fellow travelers. Thanks.
Yep, guess my mama raised me with some manners. Not much learnin' on the grammer and sentence structure...but, manners! Yep!
I was going to leave a comment, but after reading your post...well, uh...I gotta go...if you know what I mean.
Nearly every time I'll make a purchase. A Dr Pepper or a candy bar or some such. However, I'll never go #2 in the state of Oklahoma (and you know why). ;)
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