Our downtown Nordstrom has awesome ladies’ lounges… on the upper floors, kind of hidden, but the restroom on the ground floor is not that great, and one can easily guess why…
I agree with cardinal fang: “Every time we have another incident, I see a little bit more of my privilege”
As a middle aged white woman, just not likely to get arrested for something like that.
I do wish there were more restrooms around, like the ones you pay for in some European cities, or other public ones available. There are times when it just seems impossible to find one and then that puts more pressure on the stores that do have them.
And somehow we need to figure out an option for homeless people…obviously, Starbucks or other stores can’t take care of all of them, but they need toilets somewhere.
It depends where I go. In high traffic spots, like coffee shops or restaurants just off the highway, I’ll buy a bottle of water or a drink if I have to stop to use the bathroom. Because these places are inexpensive, yet have high traffic, it’s more difficult for them to keep the facilities clean. Buying something nominal offsets that a bit.
I almost always buy something if I use a store’s or cafe’s bathroom, but I often use a public restroom such as in a park or rest area.
But I have had issues with being allowed to use toilets in some parts of Central and Eastern Europe back in my college days when I wore a buzz-cut (I’m female). They would not let me in the woman’s restroom sometimes. I was not dressed like a guy but I didn’t have make-up or earrings on. They knew I was a woman but didn’t like my non-conformity. My friends thought it was hilarious, but it is really annoying when you have to get an argument to get in a restroom.
I heard a report about this on the radio. It didn’t mention anything about the bathroom, but said that the men were sitting in the Starbucks waiting for a friend without buying anything. It didn’t say how long they sat before the friend came in
This brings up different issues. Making a quick stop for a restroom is one thing. Sitting at a table for a few minutes, as long as no customers were waiting is one thing. But if there were no seats for customers, then those not buying anything should get up and go.
During our NYC trip before Christmas, both D and I needed to use bathroom urgently one night. She had to go in a restaurant/store in Chinatown and I felt like thief as I had to wait for her without buying anything and there was a sign saying restroom for paying customers only.
I was laughing at her and then later that night at Times Square, I needed to go. After walking around for a bit, we went into Toysus restroom. No sign and pleasant experience. I consider that just rewards for years of loyal shopping when the kids were young.
When I ran on the trail, there were a couple of times I stooped at an antique shop, and I couldn’t buy anything, but I was never questioned or stopped.
In this Phil story, I do believe one news outlet reported that a jogger was able to use the bathroom (without buying anything) that the AAs were denied access.
Happens in the USA too.
We frequently spend a day in NYC and have scoped out all the best bathrooms to use. Our favorites are in the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue and in the shops at Columbus circle - both places keep them very clean and are empty. Last time we used the one at Macy’s Herald Square we swore never to go back again - filthy and a long line.
[quote[Sitting at a table for a few minutes, as long as no customers were waiting is one thing. But if there were no seats for customers, then those not buying anything should get up and go.
[/quote]
The witnesses said there were empty tables in the Starbucks.
@TatinG , if you look at the video there were other tables free. I’ve sat there for over 20 minutes waiting on a friend who was late. I’ve seen people sitting there and not buy anything. Starbucks doesn’t say anything. Usually. Let’s not add facts not in evidence.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Again, let’s not drift off topic. Adding the element of “Do you sit at a table” is fine. Asking if those 2 men should have sat at a table is not.
If we wish to discuss it, which this thread seems to want to do given that it keeps drifting that way, @skieurope, should we start another thread? Because I don’t see why it can’t be discussed in general. It’s not related to political policy and topics of this nature have been discussed on CC in the past.
I can’t believe how many of you choose to just buy a bottle of water for your purchase to make things even - if I’m in McDonald’s I’m getting a small order of fries!!! 
Ice cream cone for me.
Fast food’s biggest profit margins are in soft drinks and bottled water. We will typically purchase something if we stop to use the restrooms. We always use the restrooms when we get gas. That is a purchase.
Starbucks and McDonalds really provide a needed service with their restrooms. I try to buy a little something, but until McDonalds upgraded their coffee, I could find little to buy there. If lines are long I walk out. In Europe and Asia I have really appreciated both companies restrooms as sometimes there is little else around open to the public.
Regarding bathrooms for the homeless, my town built our new library with the homeless in mind, restrooms included.
It’s not whether you use the bathroom rather it’s do you wash your hands if you do…
^ Hint: There is only one correct answer to that. 
When we stop at fast food or gas station to use a restroom it’s because we’re traveling. We don’t give a hoot about healthy eating when we’re traveling. Therefore, fries, milkshakes, candy bars, chips, or similar are fair game. It’s rarely drinks because we have those packed in our cooler in the car. I can’t see paying a couple bucks for a soda or water when I can pay 10 - 50 cents each for one. If we buy a drink, it’s chocolate milk - something we don’t usually drink at home.
As to washing hands, it never fails to amaze me how many folks use the restroom and don’t wash their hands. I don’t think those folks worry about washing them first. We usually use the restroom after ordering and prior to getting our food - taking turns or just letting the folks know what we’re doing. At gas stations we just use the restroom first, then make our purchase. I suppose it all depends upon how much we gotta go!
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Yes. But as I said in the first note, there is no guarantee that it will stay open for long. Oftentimes, the thread starts with the best intentions but quickly goes down the ToS violation rabbit hole.