a hypothetical question.

[jonathan_matos5]

if you stop at a convenience store/ gas station/ truck stop/ etc to use the toilet, do you feel compelled to buy something?

[nboyer941]

nope

[elgecko]

Nope.

[blendermassacre]

Nope, although in KC I only go to the bathroom at Quicktrips. I've bought a ton of stuff at quicktrip and not used the restroom, so I don't feel bad about the balance swinging my way.

[Simo98]

Didn't your parents ever tell you to go before you get in the car?

[IconBasser]

no. In fact, I usually take as many of those travel brochures as I can just so somebody has to pay to get more of them

[elgecko]

You're human...you pee. Everyone does it...well, mostly everybody.

[ugly_bassplayer]

No.

[Unrepresented]

A little guilty, maybe. Not as guilty, when I see the price gougitude that they sell their wares for.

[Hoover]

No. That wouldn't be particularly "convenient", would it?

[SoComSurfing]

My brother ran into this same dilemma a little while back. His iPhone-typed dissertation posted on Facebook:


Ok, so I don't travel much and I've never owned a convenience store. I've often wondered if there is a certain "etiquette" in the use of gas stations' public restrooms. Should I feel compelled to make a purchase just because I'm using the facilities? OR, is the restroom there as a "draw" of sorts of potential purchasers in hopes that they will need gas or a bag of chips or an Icee? I just don't know!

I found myself facing this conundrum today at a Coosa County Chevron on the way to Sylacauga. Having no need for gas or a D'coke, I pulled into the parking lot BECAUSE of the lack of need for D'coke. As I walked through the door, I realized that I was the only customer in the store. I was greeted by four, yes FOUR, smiling faces hovering around the cash register. The eldest said, "Good morning", to which I replied the same. I could feel the guilt welling up knowing that I had no intention at all of making a purchase from this family's (the four looked like a family) store, rather, my only plan was to use their restroom and move on up the highway.

As I flushed their 1.6 gallons of water, used another, possibly, eighth-gallon washing my hands, and a small paper towel that was provided to dry my hands, the guilt increased. There was a brush behind the toilet. Should I clean it as my way of "pitching in"? Well, NO... I don't think so.

As I opened the door and exited the restroom, I saw those same four smiles from those same four pleasant-looking folks turned in my direction. Still not another patron in the place. There was no possibility of even a SLIGHT diversion!

I made my way toward the door knowing that I would have to pass those people at the register. Finally, my eyes landed upon my golden ticket of redemption: Orbitz, Mint Mojito! Almost NO store carries that flavor anymore!

I picked up the gum and placed it on the counter, then confidently looked up at the old man and smiled and he returned the same. I paid for my ware and was back in my car in a flash without the slightest feeling of guilt!

I was about a mile up the road when I realized that I'd pretty much been screwed...unless the combined state and county sales tax is TWENTY-SIX PERCENT!! Who pays $1.63 for a pack of gum that's labeled $1.29?! So, I've decided that on my way home I will stop by that same "smiling" Chevron and use approximately $.20 of restroom facilities. I think I'll even use those nicer paper towels up there by the Icee machine!

[Jim Nazium]

I will usually buy one of those small bottles of hand sanitizer, which I feel I need after using a nasty public restroom. It's a win-win.

[macaroni tony]

I used to, but not anymore. After working that abysmal door to door sales job for a few months, where I was just about to open the floodgates in my drawz and those dooshie store owners wouldn't let me use the bathroom, I gots no sympathy for their bathrooms anymore.

Shoot, if there's a key involved and they won't give me one, I've been known to go on the store wall a time or two

[MingusBass]

I feel compelled to buy something, even if it's small like gum or a bottle of water. Maybe I should rethink the bottle of water, it will just land me back in the same guilt-filled predicament.

[MJ5150]

Yes.

-Mike

[MatticusMania]

No. Bathroom use does not a purchase necessitate.

[EricF]

I don't feel obligated necessarily, but if I'm on a road trip, the need to pee usually coincides with the need to replenish my caffeine supply (Diet Pepsi).

[6jase5]

If I walk in and someone actually takes notice or says hello, I'll buy a water. If the yoke won't get off their cell phone and give me the time of day, I'll just give the universal sign for "Where's the bathroom?" and move on when finished.

[whatiswhat]

I pee into the window wash and skip the bathroom entirely

[jmattbassplaya]

I usually buy a water for the road, but that's just something I'd buy regardless of whether or not I used the bathroom.