I was thoroughly warned before moving to Europe that free public restrooms are a scarcity. If you gotta pee in public, you gotta make peace with parting with up to a Euro. It's not much money, but as someone who is accustomed to free and unlimited access to public restrooms, I find it a little insulting.
Over my spring break, I embarked on whole lot of train travel, which involved lots of train stations, which involved lots of paying to pee. Each time I found myself waiting for my next train and needing to go to the bathroom, a tense mental battle with myself commenced. How bad do I really have to go? Can I wait the 45 minutes until my train arrives? Number 1 or Number 2?
Underlying this mental battle is the question: at what point is it undeniably worth it to pay the damn Euro? And after I inevitably pay said Euro, how can I make it go as far as possible?
I don't mean to get crass here, and I won't get into more detail (besides casually informing you guys that on March 17th I had a really epic poop in a train station bathroom and that Euro was definitely worth it). I just think the concept of "making the most of your bathroom Euro" is a truly fascinating one. Monetizing the Need To Go changes your relationship with Needing To Go.
I miss free bathrooms.
Suddenly regretting the frugality impulse I may have instilled in you. (It did not apply to listening to your body’s needs. Some risks are not worth taking.)
ReplyDeletemake the Germans pay. piss your pants.
ReplyDelete