Every so often I end up at some establishment with extortionate entry and drinks prices. And toilet attendants. It’s not really my scene and I don’t frequent these places on my own, but sometimes there’s a birthday or something on. Or even they’re in places I don’t expect. For instance I went to this club in London on Saturday that was hosting a not-very-big indie night that a friend’s band was playing at and there she was, attending the bathroom. It was before the £20(!) entry club night started, so I have no idea why the attendants bothered to come in early - it wasn’t exactly the crowd for it. I made my friend come with me because I was such an awkward turtle.
But seriously, I am so awkward about it because I’ve already drunk the drink marked up by 1000% and I need to pee - it’s not like you can really check this in advance so what do you do? I usually don’t have a lot of cash on me and I also don’t see why I should leave anything if I’ve not used their emergency products. Especially here in the UK where you don’t even tip bar staff. But then I just feel cheap and guilty. I am cheap, fine (I prefer frugal), I am ok with that, but I do feel guilty because obviously people are just trying to make a living, even though on principle I think it’s BS.
Fine if you want to use their products but you shouldn’t feel pressured to tip someone for handing you a paper towel when they’re hoarding them all! I am a big girl; I can do this on my own. I can also look after myself and not get in fights with other patrons and not take coke. All by myself. If security or drugs is seriously a problem in a place, then they need to hire security professionals or get more narcs in or something. What’s an untrained lady with lotion and tampons going to do if a fight breaks out? As for keeping it clean and stocked, it seems to me that this is the sort of overhead cost that cover charges are for - I don’t tip whoever changes the light bulbs or makes sure they’ve ordered enough straws.
According to the internet, which is never wrong, apparently this is very common in the US. I’ve never been anywhere in Minneapolis or Chicago (rather a long time ago now) or DC (much more recently) with an attendant that I can remember - is it that common outside of Vegas and maybe some places in Miami or NYC?
