 | Many public restrooms in Paris have a sink-room used by both genders, with single-gender toilets in smaller rooms off of that room. Therefore, the sign on the main door indicates that everybody goes through the first door, and the inner doors have male and female signs for the toilet rooms. I’ve seen a few like this in the states, but they’re the default in Paris. |
I thought this sign was really cute!
It did make me think about the purpose of the public toilet, though. As an introvert and a female, I use bathrooms not just for bodily functions, but as a place to get away from it all. There’s a certain soothing relief that comes from combing my hair and putting on lipstick. Maybe get a breath mint. Clean out my purse. Checking my rear-view to make sure everything is A-OK back there. I just don’t feel comfortable doing all that with Monsieur LeGrand waiting for the sink.
If I need time-out in restaurants in Paris, I’m going to have to find it someplace else. I know! I’ll do what Susannah Wesley, mother of the Methodist Wesleys, used to do! She’d sit down and flip her apron up over her head, and all her kids knew to leave Mommy alone till the apron came down.
So, if you see somebody in a restaurant in Paris with her scarf flipped up over her face, you’ll know it’s me. Getting a little quiet time.
It did make me think about the purpose of the public toilet, though. As an introvert and a female, I use bathrooms not just for bodily functions, but as a place to get away from it all. There’s a certain soothing relief that comes from combing my hair and putting on lipstick. Maybe get a breath mint. Clean out my purse. Checking my rear-view to make sure everything is A-OK back there. I just don’t feel comfortable doing all that with Monsieur LeGrand waiting for the sink.
If I need time-out in restaurants in Paris, I’m going to have to find it someplace else. I know! I’ll do what Susannah Wesley, mother of the Methodist Wesleys, used to do! She’d sit down and flip her apron up over her head, and all her kids knew to leave Mommy alone till the apron came down.
So, if you see somebody in a restaurant in Paris with her scarf flipped up over her face, you’ll know it’s me. Getting a little quiet time.
