Posted by Derek on 25/4/2008, 8:42 am, in reply to "Re: Complaining about new toilets "

Hi all from Downunder, I read through other sites on a periodic basis, and this is an interesting one. Down here, there are no governing or regulatory bodies to help with Public Toilet Design. Consequently the "Lowest Common Denominator" usually prevails, especially in pubs, clubs, parks, train stations and sporting stadiums - and ALL SCHOOLS! What I am referring to here is the dreaded trough, which is basically ingrained into the psyche of toilets in Australasia. No offence, but other countries have it relatively easy compared to down here. At large venues, the number of cubicles is also disproportionately very low - arguably the most extreme in the world. Suffering from this condition since Primary School, I have no doubt that troughs - as opposed to bowls, and bowls with dividers, is more likely to push someone "over the edge", and precipitate paruresis. I tried once to complain to the management of ANZ Stadium (previously the Sydney Olympic Stadium) - and hit a brick wall!!! Once the toilets are in that's it!!! Even though complaints usually fall on deaf ears, if enough do - eventually someone might listen! The only notable improvement that has happened in recent years is that bowls are now more established in major Shopping Centres and Airports - which is where you need to cut your teeth (esp onces with 2 or more walls either at right angles or back to back) before attempting troughs. "Dividers" at bowls however, are as rare as hen's teeth. Hopefully one day Steven Soifer and the World Toilet Organization will one day get some global uniformity and standards set. Derek Meade( PAA and IPA Member)

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