I work at a small business book store in New York and our bathroom is tucked in the back of our supply closet. We let customers use the bathroom if they ask or if we know them well enough, they can just pop in for the bathroom and i wouldn’t mind as they are returning paying customers.
The first time this lady comes in she asks to go before checkout and so i show her where the bathroom is, but says she doesn’t want it anymore after coming out. The next time she comes in she browses the shelves for 5 minutes and asks for the bathroom. i say no problem, she goes and when she’s done, she leaves.
This happens multiple times to where by the 5th time she asks, i have been annoyed to where i stop letting people use the bathroom altogether. When I finally confronted her, i said she needs to stop treating the store as it were a public bathroom. she was obviously upset by saying how she hopes i need to use the bathroom and someone wouldn’t let me.
If i have to use the bathroom when i am outside, i try to find a food court or big chain store, but never a small business. I also feel like its a rule here in nyc as well.
AITA?
EDIT: fixed what i told her specfically
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I work at a small business book store in New York and our bathroom is tucked in the back of our supply closet. We let customers use the bathroom if they ask or if we know them well enough, they can just pop in for the bathroom and i wouldn’t mind as they are returning paying customers.
The first time this lady comes in she asks to go before checkout and so i show her where the bathroom is, but says she doesn’t want it anymore after coming out. The next time she comes in she browses the shelves for 5 minutes and asks for the bathroom. i say no problem, she goes and when she’s done, she leaves.
This happens multiple times to where by the 5th time she asks, i have been annoyed to where i stop letting people use the bathroom altogether.
If i have to use the bathroom when i am outside, i try to find a food court or big chain store, but never a small business. I also feel like its a rule here in nyc as well.
AITA?
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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> i denied someone the right to use the bathroom in the store that i work at, which is a human right i guess?
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Contest mode is 1.5 hours long on this post.
NTA. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more public rest rooms available. But as a small business, it’s not your job to solve the world’s problems.
NTA. I am sure there a few places she can go. Like a big chain fast food place or like you said a food court’s washroom.
You were kind enough to let her use it the few times. Advise her that if she wants to use it, it’s for paying customers only. She can purchase her books, and use the bathroom.
NTA. But have your ever seen the movie Bid Daddy with Adam Sandler?
You don’t let people pee in your restroom they may pee on the wall outside…..
NTA
Public restroom use is a privilege extended by businesses to customers. Many businesses in my area refuse public bathroom use to anyone other than paying customers because people otherwise take advantage and absolutely ruin the restrooms for everyone else. A bar of a hotel where my mom works, for instance, stopped letting anyone other than paying customers use their restrooms because they started having problems with crack-addicted homeless people using the restrooms as a place to dump their garbage.
You have a right to refuse service and that includes restroom service.
I let ppl use the bathroom as long as they’re not leaving a mess. Shalom you’re loved 💔
NTA. Keep it locked and put up a sign that says ‘For customers only’.
NTA for not letting her use the bathroom, but…”I have been annoyed to where i stop letting people use the bathroom altogether.” If I’m a regular customer of yours that has been allowed to use the bathroom in the past and suddenly you don’t let me, I’m taking my business elsewhere.
NAH everyone pees but in new York I can understand your concern if you were like a gas station on a busy highway maybe but there are other places she can go and the fact she never buys anything is a bit weird