Why Public Bathrooms Suck in North America: Uytae Lee's Stories About Here

[@jbay088]

Another factor: the more public bathrooms you have, the more their usage will be spread out and the less wear-and-tear they'll see, compared with their maintenance schedule. Having few bathrooms creates a vicious cycle where any remaining public bathrooms get used more heavily and create a higher cost for those who maintain them, adding pressure for them to close.

[@Josh-Parkhill]

Word yo! Muhfucking economies of scale, ya heard!

[@Loanshark753]

Should business be self contained or leach of shared infrastructure like in a mall?

[@jbay088]

@@Loanshark753 Not really sure what you mean, but businesses in a mall do pay fees to the mall management to maintain things like bathrooms. So it's not really 'leaching'.

[@CedefZ]

I watched all of Uytae's content and they are amazing. His content are extensively researched and presended in an interesting way yet. I am glad as a Vancouverite to have people like him spreading knowledge for my local city.

[@colinjohnson8511]

Yeah this 👆

[@FamilyTaz33m-us4ix]

@@colinjohnson8511 Been watching his videos for the last few days... they are quite eduacational and entertaining as well....

[@jeanbolduc5818]

Vancouver is the Canadian capital of homeless, drug addicts with the #1 most dangerous city in Canada ( according to statistics Canada ) Surrey .... depressing rainy city and no fun .

[@cupidok2768]

How do i live in canada

[@shuvmesumknowlegde]

@@FamilyTaz33m-us4ix He is not always correct.

[@andthesunsets]

This guy is gold. He creates content that really strikes a chord with the locals.

[@n.b.3521]

My Japanese husband complains about the lack of public washrooms in Toronto nearly daily. He was shocked that even the ones we do have in parks close in winter.

[@esgee3829]

i complain about lack of public waste bins in japan. but sure, i'd like more public washrooms in toronto, vancouver, and everything south.

[@rbassassin99]

In Toronto some parks they have to close it was back before half of them where destroy by homeless

[@akeeling100]

So: I lived in a Vancouver #YYT city park for a couple years and maintained the bathroom. In East Van, before the full gentrification of the area. The bathroom was such an important part of maintaining the dignity and safety of many folks in the neighborhood as well as providing kids and park users a place to safely and hygienically relieve themselves. I had to clean up some nasty messes but, to this day, I am proud of swabbing those toilets for my hood. Thanks Utaye for this and other great VanCity vids.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Not all heroes wear capes. 💪 That’s taking pride and ownership in your community.

[@tcsnowdream9975]

This is close to home for me. I lived in Japan for a while, and I was so used to having a bathroom in every convenience, store, and every park corner, and every train station… I never really thought that bathrooms will be hard to find. Then I moved to New York City. Then the pandemic hit. And as someone who has (undiagnosed at the time) coeliac disease…. What a nightmare. I am so thankful that nothing happened. But there were some close calls. It was so bad that even when the pandemic mania died down, restaurants were not allowing people in. It was only to go home. Or you could only order and take out. So no Public bathrooms, and businesses couldn’t be relied on. So, I just stayed inside because it was just not worth the risk going out. For example, I was a frequent diner at a greasy spoon called Kellogg’s in Brooklyn. But I was always there at night. During the daytime I had an attack on the L and needed a bathroom… The hostess would not let me in unless I sat down and ordered something first… I told her I was here all the time and even named some of the night servers. She wouldn’t let me in and I was shaking from holding in at that point. I got *on my knees* and begged her to let me use the bathroom. A waitress came out to see what was going on and told the hostess to have a soul and to let me in, the hostess just rolled her eyes and walked away. I was so upset that they were so pissy about letting me in. I dress well and take care of myself… but it scared me from going outside until I knew everything was open.

[@ricardo9013]

I've had restruants and shops here just outright close there bathroom and tell you to go next door to the other business. Should be illegal if you have 40+ people in a store with no bathroom it's insane

[@MsRotorwings]

Dude, get a hold of yourself. Manage your disease better. Don’t go desperate. Begging is unbecoming.

[@roxycocksey]

I hope that hostess gets her karma and poops herself in a public place when someone tells her she can’t use the restroom.

[@ramencurry6672]

Great points. Love New York but unfortunately that’s one of the terrible things about the city. It’s a great city but it can also be a very cruel city too.

[@RadenYohanesGunawan]

So cruel 😢

[@noncil]

I just got back from Japan, and immediately I miss the washroom situation even though in some places in japan you'll have to bring your own hand towel and no trash bin, but I'll take it vs the bathroom situation here in Canada.

[@4leafclover243]

That’s the thing right. Once you compare Canada outside of North America you start to see the inefficiency and lack of ingenuity. Ie skytrain from start without turnstyles. Which genius thinks honor system works? I’m digressing here but public toilets in Asia just rocks.

[@georgevavoulis4758]

Japanese take pride in their nation and it shows while in Canada they legalized drug use you see what you get . Just look at Toronto

[@4leafclover243]

@@georgevavoulis4758 there lies the difference. Western culture all about the individual (me, me, me) while many Asian countries about the community (family, family, family). Both extremes are neither desirable. How to reach the middle is the hard part without someone screaming the C word.

[@Brick-Life]

The toilets in japan are over hyped. They are dirty and dark and still use squat toilets! This is in Tokyo so its more than likely they are used in other places too!

[@pakxenon]

@@Brick-Life Roll of the dice. And they're still better than us.

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

Great video. And having been homeless for 2 1/2 years, the lack of bathrooms was very inconvenient. I'm housed now but have to urinate frequently, so I'm constantly trying to time when I'm out so that I know to be near the few places I can get to restrooms if necessary.

[@cheesecurd100s]

I lived in a van for almost 5 years. I peed in jugs and 💩 in bags most of the time

[@sugarhieroglyph]

​@@cheesecurd100s I've done this too lol

[@hsianghsikung8800]

Every single metro station in Taipei, and there are many of them, has huge clean public bathrooms. They are all free to use, no need to pay for a metro ticket.

[@HendrikdeSmidt]

If you are in a downtown area, the best life hack is hotels. First floors of urban hotels generally have some combination of a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, and lounge area, all of which are open to the public. Due to this, there are almost always bathrooms available, and even if they are technically for hotel guests, there’s no way for the desk people to keep track of every person staying in their 30 floor Marriott. So if you just walk in a look like you belong, no one will talk to you or blink twice.

[@GirtonOramsay]

Hmm that's a solid tip actually. I always struggle to find one in a big city. Some downtown stores like Target don't even provide restrooms to the public anymore.

[@ricardo9013]

I've scene people take this to another level and stay at hotels for days without anyone noticing

[@EricaGamet]

Many require you to get a key card to open the bathroom or use a code. Not a problem if you "look like you belong." I'm sure they would deny anyone that looked homeless though.

[@shakksaikia7643]

My partner who just moved from New Zealand pointed out this issue to me on her first week 😳 and I never realized this untill she brought the point out ! Great docu 👏

[@eeltat]

This video taught me a lot about a matter that I haven't given a second thought to, even though I've been one of those delivery workers that could benefit from public bathrooms. Excellent work Uytae, as usual!

[@brownsupahero]

Uytae is a legend.

[@Ken-gv6sb]

Uytae is one of the best journalists I have seen in decades, I look forward to every new video. Truly well done!

[@ruthgibson6475]

I have struggled with public bathrooms my whole life. I have IBS and sometimes my body decides it needs to go. So I don’t take public transportation , I limit my outings and food intake to avoid any bathroom issues. I have in my travels used public washrooms in other countries and have been pleasantly surprised at how clean and comfortable they were to use. North America needs to do better.

[@roadrunnercrazy]

As a fellow IBS sufferer, I have found that grocery stores are a good place to find clean, free bathrooms.

[@Anttys_WeyTua_CTa_Eu986]

"There were overdoses in public washrooms." "Easy! Let's get rid of washrooms! That will fix *everything*" Washrooms, damaging drug use... Let's start by caring about others because they're human, not because of what they can afford, and we'll get somewhere.

[@ayszhang]

Totally agreed. It's as if these policy makers are just schoolchildren who reach for the easiest superficial solution without critical thinking.

[@bagelhunt]

If people are overdosing in the washroom do you think that people are going to want to use them? Who pays for the costs incurred? Or is it then effectively just another injection site? which in BC is now the whole province anyway.

[@Anttys_WeyTua_CTa_Eu986]

@@bagelhunt Of course not. But providing safe injection sites is proven effective, closing public washrooms just inconveniences those who can't afford to pay. Better yet, we could invest in mental health, equitable wealth distribution and better child nutrition and education, which would reduce illicit drug use in the first place. Even legalising those drugs would be a more effective approach to delivering safe public washrooms.

[@Wofly-me3pq]

Oddly, I think part of the issue is that we want things to appear nice. It is a reality of life that public washrooms can become filthy and attract problems (drugs, sex...). That's a global problem. Here's the thing, Would you rather have a shitty washroom (pun intended), then none at all. I've had to do some emergency runs into a porta-potty at various points. It's not ideal, but glad it was there. Money is always limited. It's life I guess. But basics like this can be provided very cheaply even if it's not well maintained. At least it is there. You can most certainly employ security to make sure people treat it well, but even if you don't, at least have it there.

[@LucificNight]

Maybe I simply don't understand Canadian politics, but are the people who make decisions on public toilets the same folks who decide on the legalization of drugs? I might be way off here, but it feels as though that's like blaming the guy at the cashier for the supermarket not having more parking...

[@terenceyuen4424]

Tokyo city has a current population of about 37 million people and the public washrooms are plentiful and spotless. It comes down to a civilized society and mindset. Will never happen here in Vancouver.

[@tbrown5657]

Same for Calgary. This city should try being civilized sometime.

[@Brick-Life]

The toilets in japan are over hyped. They are dirty and dark and still use squat toilets! This is in Tokyo so its more than likely they are used in other places too!

[@terenceyuen4424]

@@Brick-Life Very unlucky you got to use dirty toilets in Japan. I haven't visited all toilets in the country but in general most of them are clean.

[@vhateg]

@@Brick-Life I don't understand what your problem is with squat toilets. Yes, they are extremely freaky, but they are still good enough.

[@Bridgewater567]

@@Brick-Life Dang, I lived in Tokyo for half a year and have only ever seen a single squat toilet out in the old suburb. Where are you finding all those squat toilets?!?

[@robertdobie8680]

I’ve lived abroad for 30 of my 60 years in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East (the other 30 in Canada). If public bathrooms across North America are gritty compared to those in many other countries (they are!) then it just adds to the impression (reality?) that North America is, in general, a gritty place to live.

[@JonathanFrederickson]

Thank you so much for this video! I have a few medical conditions that result in me having to use the bathroom much more frequently than most, and it is a huge barrier to getting around. I have to constantly plan my trips around places where I know there will be a bathroom available. It's exhausting.

[@shavake]

Uytae consistently puts out top tier content. Please give him more latitude to keep doing this!

[@vancouverbluesea]

Wow - this is a good journalism! It is amazing when somebody has the guts to say it so straight forward! Great work Uytae!

[@LeechyKun]

Morale of the story? Humans are disgusting creatures, especially those in public that can't keep it clean for the next user. Why we can't have nice things.

[@candylove49]

Basically! I used to clean bathrooms for a living and people turn to be excessively disgusting because they know they don’t have to clean it.

[@williamlouie569]

Those disgusting Creatures grew up in a disgusting culture. In other countries people behavior civilized!

[@someernie6179]

Is there something wrong with your education? We don’t have that much of a problem here in Asia.

[@neubro1448]

You wondered why Japan is the envy to the world as demonstrated in this video. The land of vending machines, discipline and convenience.

[@Brap-pl2me]

@@someernie6179You just don’t notice the filthy bathrooms because your entire country is filthy. lol

[@nancyneyedly4587]

They are a necessity, like drinking water. We shouldn't deny people access to water or bathrooms. I am glad you made this video, but I don't think much will be done about it. There are many conditions that cause people to need to use the bathroom more frequently and access to a bathroom can define what they can or cannot do in a day. But really everyone needs access to a bathroom it should be a basic human right as it's not something we have control over. In our family we do plan our outings based on access to a clean bathroom and change plans accordingly. (and access to parking, different story) Really lack of these facilities is a barrier to accessibility. Also, the issue with access for the homeless, the indignities of lack of a bathroom. If some people don't care about the homeless, think about the hygiene issue overall, where are they going to go? Like the story said, do we have to wait for an outbreak of serious illness to do something about it.

[@shauncameron8390]

Actually we should if not at least to remind people what their responsibilities are. If so then it should be a human responsibility for everyone to clean up after themselves.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

I had kidney surgery this winter and going for walks was funny, I started peeing behind random snowbanks, now that the snow is gone I'm like "Yo wtf!" so I'm looking for new trees n stuff, lots of bums and homeless tho, Toronto is a sesspool.

[@shadetreader]

Sadly, the past three years have proven that even an outbreak of serious illness isn't enough for some Westerners to do what's right...

[@jellybeansi]

Agreed. I have a GI disorder, and it's always horrible when I need to go into a Starbucks or other business just to use the restroom, because a lot of these businesses have a "restrooms are for paying customers only" policy. So it's an uncomfortable situation of, hm, should I just enter and hightail it to the restroom, or ask and potentially get turned away (cue disaster)? It's degrading.

[@nancyneyedly4587]

@@jellybeansi Our family deals with this too. Not providing access to a bathroom to a person with a disorder that requires one is similar to not providing wheelchair ramps to those who need access to one. These GI disorders are called "invisible disabilities" because you cannot just look at someone and know that they have a need for a specialized environment or care. People with "invisible disabilities" should be able to live their lives to the fullest and for some that means access to a bathroom. It's entirely uncivilized to live in a world without access to bathrooms.

[@louiszhang3050]

I always think about this. I live in Washington DC, and there's one place that this system really shows its flaws: The National Mall. DC is unique in the sense we have a giant slab of museums and parks with zero businesses in the middle of the city. To walk from the National Mall to the nearest business, you normally have to walk 10 - 15 minutes. And, boy, if you want to risk your life and your noses to use the public restrooms, they're often locked anyways. Always amazes me that I have to remind my friends and myself to relieve ourselves before heading into the capital of the United States to hang out.

[@letitiajeavons6333]

Go to Capitol Hill and ask your member of Congress or Delegate or Senator. If they keep getting bothered by the public about bathrooms, they'll legally require the National Park Service to provide them.

[@2000sborton]

As a senior citizen living in Vancouver I can attest to the need for public washrooms. There are days when I am not "feeling well" that I just stay at home rather than risk having an emergency with no public washroom available. After working in the construction industry for a lot of my life I have to say that the costs cited for public washrooms are ridiculous. Not that I don't believe them just that they are HIGHLY inflated from their actual cost. I blame that on our governments ridiculous methods of putting these jobs out for tender. A lot of their requirements are totally unnecessary and would not be tolerated by private industry. Ask any restaurant what they paid to have their washroom installed. I can guarantee that it is nowhere near the prices quoted.

[@lukehalmrast7366]

Uytae Lee makes some of the best videos in my opinion, the guy is a true legend

[@markfinn0]

I remember being in a major train station in London, and simply walking onto a random platform, boarding a train which wasn't leaving for another half hour, and using a toilet on board. Most stations now have barriers that you can't pass without a ticket. Hotel lobbies in Europe usually had a (free) toilet. Enter a random office building, and assuming you have elevator access - pick a floor and use the toilet there. Singapore - free toilets are plentiful - but you might need to buy something from a "tissue lady" who are everywhere - toilet paper (as well as paper napkins at fast-food places) isn't always there. But I must admit - European pay toilets were the cleanest I have ever seen - even with a bored attendant collecting your half-Euro.

[@lzh4950]

In Singapore its ironic that the paid toilets (usually in hawker centres) are typically dirtier than other ones e.g. in shopping malls (& may require you to bring your own toilet/tissue paper). Some toilets may put the toilet paper outside though as owners may worry about users taking excessive amounts of them & they using them to mess up the toilet

[@davidzhao159]

i wrote this problem to the city council years ago,at least build washrooms at each skytrain station

[@LimitedWard]

I visited Portland last week with some friends, and one of my friends desparately needed to go to the bathroom. I found a public restroom for him to use, but it was locked in the middle of the day with no one inside. Eventually after more searching, he gave up and pleaded with an ice cream shop next door to let him use their toilet.

[@rafangille]

the most common places are starbucks, they always let you use it

[@peterwelby]

​@@rafangille they don't do that anymore

[@ramencurry6672]

If I’m in a car in America and it’s a small city or decent suburb , I usually look for the closest Hone Depot. They’re usually not too far and bathrooms are relatively clean. Also clothing stores like Kohls, etc…. have decent bathrooms….my last resort would be supermarket or fast food restaurant

[@bestt2252]

These are the heros who deserve to be tipped, imo. Unfortunately most people who use others restrooms don't find it neccesary to even offer.

[@axianskin]

Certainly the lack of public bathrooms speaks volumes about the culture and civic mindfulness of the people

[@chris2746]

Vandalism of public bathrooms is also a major contributor to the issues these face that was not brought up in the video. Part of why many other countries are able to provide those services is because their people are generally less likely to intentionally damage or make a mess. There's something odd in north America that makes people here more likely to want to ruin things.

[@AbeYousef]

yeah ive noticed this too, people will intentionally ruin things, not even for personal gain, they just seem angry

[@anonunknown7999]

Vandalism was mentioned at 3:40

[@someernie6179]

I wonder if there’s something to do with individualism, why damage it if you and your community need the facility?

[@cjenkins8785]

In the USA since the pandemic most "fast food" restaurants have drive-thru service and the restrooms are not open.

[@electricerger]

Reminds me of old London when they put up anti-urin architecture to protect buildings. Having those was less effective than just providing bathrooms.

[@litan1728]

there is public bathroom in every subway in my city in China. I was shocked to see the not much public facilities in Van. So called livable city

[@EdwardChan.999]

In Hong Kong, public bathrooms have dedicated clearers sitting outside.

[@mikatu]

Not really! They are sitting outside but to steal your wallet!

[@horroRomantic444]

I would like pay for use bathrooms for a minimum nominal fee. That way it is kept clean and for low income folks, the government can issue passes that can be tracked so it will discourage vandalism. Not many public restrooom in metropolitan areas in the United States.

[@Mason_van_Bike]

It’s easy to make this a sob story about “the poor, underprivileged, homeless people”, but the reason they can have such abundant toilets in Japan is because people there actually treat them with a minimum of respect. If Canadians or more specifically, the Canadian homeless population can’t use them respectfully then do they deserve the privilege of toilets? Because these are a privilege, not a right.

[@esgee3829]

will never forget the time i walked into the toilet at washington square park in nyc during a cool, rainy fall day a couple of years ago and 4 homeless/unhoused people (suspected, unconfirmed based on appearance and smell) were in there near the sinks cooking drugs in spoons (sorry i don't know my drugs to differentiate but i'm fairly sure they weren't cooking their oatmeal one spoon at a time). and the kicker was that 4 nyc parks employees were standing just outside the toilet, as if they knew what was transpiring. while i was able to use the toilet without being bothered (i'm a fairly intrepid type), it occurred to me that most people would be put off. and i wondered if there were safe places for these people to do what they needed to do besides public toilets or parks. because who knows, maybe they need care in case they overdose, etc. and as far as free toilets in europe goes, after your city develops the "aroma" of 100s of years of people urinating on their walls, bridges, buildings like paris, london, rome, barcelona, etc, perhaps your populace will decide to pony up for a few hundred public toilets too. you know what's super romantic? not the stench emanating from underneath the bridges on the seine.

[@williamralph8396]

My wife just said she'd " Die on that hill!" 4 live births and diabetic..." What bladder?" Seriously though they should at least have a public toilet at every Sky Train Station at least.

[@w.terrace5394]

I accidentally came across a public restroom on a beach park west of downtown Vancouver during my last visit, but the facility was neglected. Sadly, I noticed most of the bathrooms inside the malls, restaurants aren't up to standard in this international city.

[@patrickbureau1402]

Changing our World for a better place for everyone Begins under our own feet.

[@GuillermoLG552]

In London UK, some councils pay business to display a sign and allow the public to use their toilets. Great video that highlights a real problem.

[@shirleyleong7090]

If you have a gym membership that has multiple locations, it is an easy solve for looking for a restroom that is clean and no lines. I’m in NYC and this has worked for me.

[@veelastname]

Except when you're frequently out and about after business hours 😣

[@henvdemon]

@@veelastname 24 hour gyms ftw xD

[@uninvincibleete]

I feel like it also becomes self-fulfilling prophecy: people fight public washrooms so the rare few that do get built are used more than intended, and are thus impossible to upkeep. If we had more around the city (especially in downtown) there wouldn't be such strain on each location. Surely it's cheaper, safer, and more humane to pay for the upkeep of public washrooms than it is to deal with the consequences of not having public washrooms available.

[@imdurmac1]

i used one in NYC when i visited there in december '22. i was surprised there was a public toilet and they have them throughout the city center. the reasons for not having them are what you listed in your vlog. it's unfortunate but i can understand but there needs to be public bathrooms because many businesses don't allow you to use theirs if you are not a customer.

[@Nouvellecosse]

So surreal to see About Here featured on CBC. Especially after seeing the "About This" series which is done in a similar style.

[@markandsuriyonphanasonkath8768]

An expat Australian living in Thailand - 8 years here. EVERY Petrol station has FANTASTIC bathrooms (toilets), everywhere, attendants clean every 30 minutes, these facilities are pristine! They are EVERYWHERE! The West (from I come from), has a great deal to learn! Incidentally, EVERYONE here is always HAPPY, no matter (how poor), they may be. Enough whinging in the Corporate world - please wake up to reality - AND CARE for those who deserve your help - forget the BUGLERS who believe that Society "owes them a living", NO WAY. Apologies for the rant. Take care of yourself and your family FIRST! Help to friends who need it and that you are able to "assist along the way" Enjoy, and thank you!

[@someernie6179]

Agree, sometimes westerners are too naive to believe their living standards are higher than that in Asia, very often it’s the OPPOSITE that they gotta find.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Worked at Pizza Hut and we took pride in our clean bathrooms!! Every hour, no matter what someone goes in and cleans.

[@TheViettan28]

Is it open to the public free of charge?

[@GoodGuyBiker]

I often have to use the court house bathroom when changing my daughter who is still a baby. Very little facilities here in Vancouver for parents or families downtown.

[@smoothjazzfails]

In the U.S., I’ve come to realize that the closer you get to a city, the harder it is for you to find a place to go pee or poo.

[@henvdemon]

unless you're willing to visit bars, fast food spots or food parks yeah.

[@blah5947]

Working for a company which over saw the amount of money these public washrooms in down town near the sea wall cost $5.9 million. That’s insane

[@shawnadyment]

I would be happy to have bathrooms like the ones I find in Europe, have an attendant who you pay 50c or 1 euro and you can do your business in a clean space. It's affordable for everyone and the bathroom place earns money to keep it stocked and cleaned. In Vancouver DT, now I think The Bay is the only slightly decent bathroom. RIP Nordstrom 2nd floor women's 🥲 Lots of the nice hotel ones I would use are shut too or you need a guest keycard 😭 *Hell I would pay a downtown hotel an annual membership to have a bathroom access card.*

[@vacafuega]

If you think 1 euro per pee is accessible to everyone you need to talk to some poor people!!

[@shawnadyment]

@@vacafuega Hello, poor person here, and yes I would gladly pay a small fee to do my business in comfort. Too expensive to have to buy a coffee or treat from a cafe for everytime one needed a bathroom, but if there was a dedicated place for people to pay to use the toilet, they totally would (like they already do in places with pay toilets...)

[@someernie6179]

😮Honestly coming from Hong Kong I thought it’s against human rights to pay for a toilet already in Europe, quite shocked to realise it’s much worse in North America, poor people…

[@dickiewongtk]

If you need to go into a gated paid area of a transit station, is it even free?

[@derekulrich3830]

Kind of? if you use your Compass card, and tap in, do your business, and tap out at the same station within 25 minutes, you're not charged. But, getting all the way down to the Seabus bathroom, doing your business, and then getting back in that amount of time would be tricky.

[@pradlee]

Public bathrooms can be made cheaper by making them less fancy! Even something like you see at hiking trail heads (pit toilet, so no running water, no heat, no lighting) would be 100% okay (throw in some hand sanitizer). Of course it's nicer to have more add-ons, but I'd rather have a bunch of low-end toilets across the city than a small number of full-service toilets.

[@bryankerr9174]

German cities have public washrooms. You pay a small fee to use them. That is the best model.

[@someernie6179]

No the best model is free and clean washrooms in Asia, you guys should learn to be more civilised and considerate from a young age.

[@emie9858]

Why should people have to pay for a basic need?

[@illusiym-Force]

In Spain they nailed it. By law every enting and / or drinkend facility has to provide for toilet facilities for the general public without needing to buy anything. That should be the general role now cities only have bars and restaurants because stores are uneconomic ally due to capitalism and in the end only eating and drinking will remain for the time being.

[@moldyal]

Beginning of the video, you’re at city Center stop, bathroom right below you in the underground mall (food court)

[@good.life1]

We need more Journalists like this guy! 😂

[@yizhou9978]

I really love when he rush across Waterfront all the way to Seabus dock’s washroom, since when I was traveling in Vancouver, I had the exactly same journey, but more hurry since I need a “number 2”…

[@crotalon]

The amount of times I've had to run to that Waterfront bathroom back in the day. Prior to covid I had a mental map of all the bathrooms I could feasibly use along the Canada Line and Expo line from New West Station to Waterfront.

[@mikatu]

Mate, in most countries that is the case. If you want to use a bathroom in a restaurant or coffee shop you need to be a client or pay to use it. even in Europe, in the main train stations it is normal to pay for a bathroom, even if there are plenty outside the station or even inside the trains. And if you don't want drug users in the bathroom, just use blue lights like they do in Switzerland. they won't be able to find the veins for sure. As a tourist, I mainly use the bathrooms in the museums I visit during the day. I don't find free bathrooms everywhere I go.

[@libshastra]

It is my biggest complaint about North America. There are very few public bathrooms! and the few that exist are absolutely disgusting.

[@TheRandCrews]

I know there’s accounts both in New York and Toronto on tiktok point out olaces where there are public bathrooms but still hard to be accessible or known if not looking at their sites

[@Fecbar]

Even worse, here in Europe you have to pay to use them.

[@libshastra]

@@Fecbar it is not just Europe, but every place in the world charges a min fee. The fee is usually used to pay the cleaners. So I’m fine with the tiny fee.

[@carlinsullivan]

​@@Fecbar they are also very rare in a lot of areas of Europe compared you America. Like Germany and Switzerland they can be very difficult to find at all. Especially in cities.

[@MarkFreemanYVR]

Hey Uttaranchal! Great video. For background there was a front page Vancouver Courier article that detailed Vancouver having 200+ public washrooms in the distance past. Other#1. Lack of toilets as part public transit limits the usefulness of the system to many / forcing use of the coffee and fast food options.

[@ChromeStrand]

It's because of junkies, I find it's downtown that struggles to open their washroom for public, or to extend, junky area.

[@Stoudy2]

As a Courier Ive mastered the art of knowing where all the good bathrooms are in Downtown Vancouver.

[@anasfrh]

Not surprising. North America is bad at provisioning public goods, from public transits, to parks, sidewalks etc and certainly public bathrooms.

[@saltfork]

Parks? The US park systems (there are many - city, county, state, and national) are amazing.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

Not really sure about parks or sidewalks there buddy.

[@linuxphysics]

Yet another awesome documentary.

[@123RADIOactive]

That washroom in the seabus terminal isn’t free, you still need to pay to get through the gate. So technically doesn’t count no matter how you wanna rationalize or justify it.

[@JimmyJames-om2uw]

You and your team are doing such a good job, thank you

[@DougGrinbergs]

PSA: there are mobile apps to locate public restrooms. Denver 16th Street Mall, as of a couple of years ago, had a public restroom trailer of sorts, with attendant, on one of the side streets. Portland Loo is another solution. NYC getting a handful at $185K per.

[@D.S.handle]

Public bathrooms suck almost everywhere except for maybe Japan.

[@MauroRincon]

Public bathrooms suck almost everywhere unless they charge you for using them. One great exception is Australia, which generally has clean and frequently supervised public bathrooms in the CBD and near tourist attractions

[@yoon_ro_]

Hudson bay mall saved my life multiple times ;)

[@themanyouwanttobe]

The Veteran's park toilet is an experience unto itself. Highly recommended tourist destination.

[@Varibeca]

Here in Helsinki is easy to find clean free automated toilets in parks and such.

[@AMI12349]

Great coverage of this very important issue. I especially liked the comparison of the bathroom situation among various countries, as well as the description of the public health and hygiene problems (such as hepatitis) caused by the lack of public toilets. I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the past 10 years and had to come back to New Orleans here in the U.S. last November due to a passport problem. In Chiang Mai, there are clean and free toilets available everywhere in the city, in places like the city's over 100 temples, gas stations, shopping malls and centers, markets, and parks. They are cleaned an average of every 30 minutes! Some did close during the pandemic, but there were still sufficient ones available. Here in NOLA, however, I've been shocked at the lack of public toilets...if McDonalds did not unofficially leave theirs open, I don't know what I would do! People's common sense seems to have gone away when the pandemic happened...public toilets were one of the biggest improvements in the area of public health, but then they started CLOSING public toilets in the name of public health! There are more signs here saying NO PUBLIC RESTROOM than RESTROOM or BATHROOM. In most restaurants, even paying customers have to ask for a token or the key from the cashier to use the restroom, and this creates a problem when they key has been lost (as happens often at Burger King) or the queue at the register is long or the staff are busy with other matters. How can places that sell drinks not provide a decent toilet as quickly and often as you need it? If you drink something, you have to urinate - that's basic physiology! During the summer, people also need restrooms to wash sweat off themselves so they won't smell bad when outside. Some suggestions: if those Mardi Gras toilets installed during the festival could be made available throughout the city all the year, it would help matters, even though they don't have water, they are still better than peeing on the ground. And if churches (part of whose mission is to help the needy) could keep their restrooms open, it would help And gas stations should be required here to provide public toilets. Because, even if you have money to order something at a restaurant, sometimes you're in a hurry and don't have time to order and sit down there, especially with the understaffed situation of most restaurants, resulting in the fact that places like McDonalds and Burger King are now SLOW FOOD and not FAST FOOD.

[@et3naltwilight]

Frankly though, North Americans are individualistic and don't have the habit of cleaning up after themselves. You can see by how people leave fast food tables/ cafeterias/ public transit. If we all just cleaned up after ourselves better, then there would probably be more public facilities.

[@lererewrewrebakhgi]

I am from Ukraine and my parents taught me such precious things as cleaning my table after each use, letting elders enter the bus first,, speaking in a lowered voice in the public places. I appreciate those lessons now

[@vacafuega]

This is FASCINATING because I have lived in Vancouver and I actually consider it to be one of the easier places to find a public bathroom! The hardest (that I've experienced) has got to be London. The UK makes Canada look like a toilet showroom.

[@ffigueroafabre]

Great shows! Many restaurants in Vancouver specially fast food restaurant don’t seem to clean not even every day

[@patrickbureau1402]

As a pedestrian & a former residential contractor in Greater Mtl - from my experience i agree with the argument !! Even my less thoughtful clients - never offered use of their washroom !!!

[@FrankHuynh]

The interesting video I never thought about but glad I watched it end to end

[@pajiitslayer6042]

in india we use the main road as public bathroom

[@jeanjaz]

In Europe, they have a monitor that you are expected to tip when you use the bathroom. The monitor maintains the bathroom and provide oversight - so there isn't undesirable activities.

[@owowhatsthis....3025]

🙏 That is journalism on the top. Important, on the point, and Humandly.Sad this in our time it is the Exception than the standard. Great job

[@forreal1276]

Yeah I stay away from public washrooms. Can never actually sit down, so I have to squat. And always paranoid what if someone installs a camera?!? ugh no thanks

[@ashakydd1]

I honestly think that half the problem is that people in general treat them very poorly. No matter how nice of a place I go into the bathrooms of, there is always mess and vandalism. A notable example was being in the international arrivals wing (only accessible if you kuat arrived on a plane) the floor was sticky (like it'd been mopped with soda pop), there was vandalism, and all the toilets had pee all over the seats.

[@nuclearpoweredbrain2211]

Gas station restrooms are infamous for being filthy. So much so, Buc-ee's differentiates and advertises clean restrooms.

[@TheMcgojoh]

I remember when I first moved to Vancouver in 1989 and there was an attendant at the Victory Square bathrooms.

[@ryangases9386]

keep it coming bro. cbc vancouver take notice, we love his videos, give him his budget and freedom to make the content he wants to make.

[@jarjarbinks6018]

It’s sad how disrespectful people can reach in North America. In Japan you’d never see someone abusing drug needles in the public restroom Hell we can’t even have proper glass bus shelters because people will take them over as living spaces and smash the glass windows. It’s sad

[@emilecossette7570]

Reason is we have the homeless taking over this city. There have been many facilities ive tried to use but im unable to because theyre shooting up in the washrooms.

[@notstarboard]

"Homeless taking over" is a pretty slanted way of phrasing it. The issue is more that society isn't supporting people, because apparently it's communism for society to meet people's basic needs.

[@Creashone]

Here's an idea - what if we have shower and toilet buildings. Pay on one side and free on the other. Pay means it is super nice. Free means it is bare minimum, but clean. And the paying side pays for the maintenance for all of it.

[@EA-js1me]

Eastern Europe: “What’s a public bathroom?” 😂

[@darkbozo11]

600 000 for 1 bathroom.. What the hell what is wrong with this world...

[@emeraldcoastgardensfl7323]

This is an excellent video. But I am going to make a point you may not be aware of. We have lots of public restrooms in our town, but people are not respectful of the facilities. Pervasive Drug use, mental health issues means people defecating on the floors, stealing all the toilet paper, breaking the very sturdy commodes. Ask the municipal workers. It really is sad. And it won't be fixed with just 'more money'. Ps .. we have lots of facilities here...every park, all the grocery stores and fast food places. Big gas stations. I guess what I am trying to say is that people need to clean up after themselves, so you don't have to 'clean' the facilities every 2 hrs...🤨

[@14moti]

Another thing to consider is in Japan, people are taught politeness and cleanliness from childhood. Kids do the cleaning in schools instead of janitors. Meanwhile in North America, particularly in the US, we aren't taught any of that, and everyone has an individualistic mindset. It's all about ME, not WE.

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

The "Portland Loo" the is solution. More and more cities are adopting them.

[@GraciousHost]

That chandelier makes me so mad! What a waste of taxpayers money! We need more public bathrooms.

[@cancerino666]

Had this exact issue at this exact location a couple months ago. Had to piss into a wall in a corner, such a good look for the city!

[@jeremythebeer8609]

I never thought of this problem until I went through a "medical" phase in my life (IBS?) where I had to urgently and/or unpredictably use the bathroom. Absolutely debilitating. I stayed home in fear I might poop myself.