Helpful directions in Edinburgh

[imbrius]

Businesses here sometimes have a policy of restrooms being only for paying customers, but even that has been attacked recently as discriminatory.

Pay toilets used to be very common in the U.S. up until half a century ago, hence the stereotypical humorous rhymes. Also, yes. In areas with a very high population of transient persons with habits of using illicit narcotics, combination locks and token fee systems are common. Off the top of my head I can think of Portland, Oregon as one place where an open-for-all-to-use restroom is the exception rather than the rule, but that's slowly shifting as the city moderates its affordable housing crisis.

[Tobinn]

Pay toilets used to be very common in the U.S. up until half a century ago, hence the stereotypical humorous rhymes. Also, yes. In areas with a very high population of transient persons with habits of using illicit narcotics, combination locks and token fee systems are common. Off the top of my head I can think of Portland, Oregon as one place where an open-for-all-to-use restroom is the exception rather than the rule, but that's slowly shifting as the city moderates its affordable housing crisis.

I seem to recall, as a child, pay toilets (10 cents or so) in the subway when my dad would take into the City (New York City, that is) to his work. There was an unspoken agreement amongst all involved that one would hold the door open for the next person as a courtesy.

[Miller6582]

Not surprised they charge, quite the money maker at Edinburghs main station.

http://www.thenational.scot/news/160...tish_stations/

Plenty of pubs with toilets to use in the city and might as well have a wee pint when your in the pub too.

[Tobus]

Plenty of pubs with toilets to use in the city and might as well have a wee pint when your in the pub too.

That's the kind of toll I'm more than happy to pay!

[huntgathergrow]

I've never seen a pay toilet in the States, but I've spent nearly all of my time in Tennessee and I'm a child of the 80's. But we would typically make a purchase as a gesture of thanks.

My first interaction with a pay toilet was a pancake cafe in Amsterdam. I was jet lagged and paid €2 and didn't get my €1.50 change... I did appreciate the increased privacy of European stalls. I guess that's what you're paying for.