Pub Demanding 20 Baht For Customer To Use Toilet

[atyclb]

I will not say the name of the place, but there are 3 branches in bkk. one at cowboy, one above foodland, and one in a passageway that connects soi 7 to next soi wher foodland is.

Have been a paying, tipping, jamming with the band customer for x number of years.

Owner is quite a nice guy.

Popped into the one on connecting passageway to look for a friend and/or say hello to the owner. Stepped into the toilet for all of 20 seconds(no toilet attendant either). At the door a girl adamantly demanding 20 baht "toilet not free" quote unquote.

Told her I am a paying and tipping customer and even have jammed with the band.

Really indifferent, nasty, hassling me to no end. I gave her 20 baht and thanked her for creating an EX CUSTOMER. Short of a sincere apology from her I will never go there again.

My personal philosophy is to not look down on anyone, we are all Gods children. I must say that I felt humiliated and insulted and disgusted by the staff demanding 20 baht from me, a pre-existing paying, TIPPING customer. In addition, a musician that has jammed and sung with bands at all 3 of their pubs.

As I think about it today, the morchit bus station toilet is nicer and the charge is 3 baht. In addition there are tons of hotels in sukumvit area with beautiful bathrooms and the staff will not harass you. I walked in there feeling like a friendly customer, I left feeling like the enemy.

Do they have the IQ to realize that humiliating a customer will not improve business?

This is so petty, so cheap, so low class I am really disgusted.

[saakura]

Absolutely petty and sure way to run down a business. Even if you were not a paying ex-customer, i do not see why they could not let you use the toilet as a common courtesy. I hope they read this and mend their ways.

[Beechboy]

Basically agree, but I do know that that bar has a particular problem at night with people using the nearby street bars.

[lannarebirth]

Oh, that's true is it? I thought I was in the jokes forum for a minute. Probably not too smart from a business POV.

[gotlost]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Edited March 7, 2011 by gotlost

[transam]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Should be taken into consideration with the cost of beer. DID a Thai get charged ? Don't think so.

[granuaile]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

I've never been in a club that charges. While I can see why they would want to discourage people from just coming off the street, treating a regular (or any legitimate customer) that way reflects poorly, especially in a club where the aim is for people to drink. I don't know the club in question because those are not the places I hang out....Been in quite a few clubs here and never had that happen...

[PhilHarries]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Really? I don't know of any pubs and bars with their own facilities that charge bona fide customers to use the kharzi. Some of the groups of outside beer bars with one shared toilet you have to pay for.

[ozzieovaseas]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Really? I don't know of any pubs and bars with their own facilities that charge bona fide customers to use the kharzi. Some of the groups of outside beer bars with one shared toilet you have to pay for.

Yes, it dooes sound strange as i think i know the place the OP is talking about and this has never happened to me when ive been there.

Heres some amusing food for thought: Are you sure the girl actually worked there?

Maybe she was a "toilet fee freelancer" making a few baht on the side

nothing would suprise me anymore

[Moonrakers]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

I have never been in a pub that charged me for a whazz.

And if I did find a pub that decided to show me just how much they appreciate my custom in this way, I'd not set foot in there again. No doubt there will be those who will say "It's only 20 baht", but this is taking the piss.

Edited March 7, 2011 by Moonrakers

[atyclb]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Really? I don't know of any pubs and bars with their own facilities that charge bona fide customers to use the kharzi. Some of the groups of outside beer bars with one shared toilet you have to pay for.

Yes, it dooes sound strange as i think i know the place the OP is talking about and this has never happened to me when ive been there.

Heres some amusing food for thought: Are you sure the girl actually worked there?

Maybe she was a "toilet fee freelancer" making a few baht on the side

nothing would suprise me anymore

No toilet attendant.

This girl was sitting at the pub entrance, greeting customers.

[taiwangirl]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom. I have seen other places that have signs that say "no public bathroom", and I am guessing that they want to discourage that.

Do you know if they charge for customers in the bar? I think they would very quickly lose customers in that way.

[thrilled]

back the 1st time when I was in thailand,it was nothing to see someone peeing on the side of the road.It was an every day occurance

[stkyricesf]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

I've never been in a club that charges. While I can see why they would want to discourage people from just coming off the street, treating a regular (or any legitimate customer) that way reflects poorly, especially in a club where the aim is for people to drink. I don't know the club in question because those are not the places I hang out....Been in quite a few clubs here and never had that happen...

I agree with your assessment. Since the poster admitted he just came in and went to the restroom. You can not expect every employee to know who the 'Regulars' are, I'm sure this is a management/owner disision, I don't believe you can fault the employee. If what the poster states 'he knows the owner' then I would have taken this up quietly with him/her.

[Ulysses G.]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom.

That was my guess too.

[Tatsujin]

It's nothing new, just the all-too-common Thai attitude of grab the money now and don't worry about tomoro. Expect to see more of this happening all over.

They don't think far enough ahead to think that they might lose customers because of this type of attitude, but rather live happily with their heads in the clouds assuming there will be an endless supply of foreigners to replace the ONE they've just lost.

They're probably not wrong now that I think about it . . . <grins>

[doggie888888]

Well, you said the "owner is a quite a nice guy"...don't you think he ought to be told? Not in a confrontational way but sort of "hey, did you know the girl is taking money from people using the loo" and you can gauge by his reply if it's being done with his full consent and knowledge.

[atyclb]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom. I have seen other places that have signs that say "no public bathroom", and I am guessing that they want to discourage that.

Do you know if they charge for customers in the bar? I think they would very quickly lose customers in that way.

I definitely did not recognize that girl either. Why, because I go there to listen to music, sit near the band. I know some of their musicians on a first name basis and they typically spot me and say hello when I go there...

Would it not be reasonable to post a sign" 20 baht for non customers, and old customers that do not purchase drinks on this visit"

After paying the 20 baht "whizz fee" I went to the "above foodland" branch to see if the owner was there. He was not but the cashier spoke with me and tried to seem concerned. She is a lady that sits at behind the very front of the bar, does not leave to serve drinks/take orders, stays focused on the cash register and money/receipts.

She had the wisdom and insight to tell me "I don't remember you". Well honey, if you sit and rightfully so focus on the money all night, why would/should you typically know customers.

I tend to feel it is the short minded, think for the moment, squeeze mentality that another poster mentioned. OK, she didn't recognize me, after I told her I am a customer, have joined with the band, have even brought my own guitar on occasion. She was still adamant and demanding and nasty. Perhaps she lacks the intellectual ability to understand the concept of a customer that does not order drinks on a quick visit to look for a friend.

I know some of us are entertained by spending time with those girls, but God help anyone that tries to know some of them further than inside the confines of the bar.Some of the people around the tourist venues seem to come from the sub-bottom of society.

Edited March 8, 2011 by atyclb

[lomatopo]

Quotes:

Owner is quite a nice guy.

Do they have the IQ to realize that humiliating a customer will not improve business?

Since you know the owner why not have a brief conversation with him about your experience? Perhaps he can tell you if this is a change in policy, or merely a one-off occurence. He also might appreciate the opportunity to address your issues and concerns before you go public?

Edited March 8, 2011 by lomatopo

[atyclb]

It's nothing new, just the all-too-common Thai attitude of grab the money now and don't worry about tomoro. Expect to see more of this happening all over.

They don't think far enough ahead to think that they might lose customers because of this type of attitude, but rather live happily with their heads in the clouds assuming there will be an endless supply of foreigners to replace the ONE they've just lost.

They're probably not wrong now that I think about it . . . <grins>

On a side note, I have popped into mainstream upscale Thai pubs for the express purpose of using the toilet and never been hassled. There is an element to perceiving westerners as quick cash at some venues.

[atyclb]

Quotes:

Owner is quite a nice guy.

Do they have the IQ to realize that humiliating a customer will not improve business?

Since you know the owner why not have a brief conversation with him about your experience? Perhaps he can tell you if this is a change in policy, or merely a one-off occurence. He also might appreciate the opportunity to address your issues and concerns before you go public?

Venting. Sure it may have been one girls attempt to get a fast 20 baht. I don't deny this. And yes, the owner is a nice guy, a polite guy, and seems intelligent. If I do indeed muster up the heart to return there and communicate with the owner, I will perhaps comment here, hopefully in a positive way.

The place did not have a toilet attendant.

On a side not, I have been yelled at by a toilet attendant at a place near pat pong. That was after the second whizz I took (was sitting at a table listening to the band/ a paying and tipping customer) My crime, to turn to water faucet on myself and not use the folded toilet paper to dry my hands. That time I spoke to the manager. She said don't let him bother you. In predominantly farang oriented establishments I have perceived money grabbing aggressiveness even being rude not infrequently. I have not seen this behavior at places that serve both local and international customers; ie; Tawandaeng Pub.

One example; a friend of mine from north thailand, an english speaking nurse with rather white skin wanted to see a pat pong go go bar. We went together, paid the check. The server that brought us the change put her hand over the tray as to block us from the change due. Our intent was to leave a tip, At that point my thai nurse friend spoke to this woman in her native language. "what are you doing" The go go server was shocked and embarrassed, immediately apologized and walked away. I believe the server thought my female friend was asian from another country, and that I was also a tourist.The thaia nurse was amazed, told me she'd never before had a server do that.

Edited March 8, 2011 by atyclb

[smokie36]

This is a great idea....I reckon on 10 Baht a minute....but with the first three minutes free....no problem for our more 'regular' customers.

[atyclb]

This is a great idea....I reckon on 10 Baht a minute....but with the first three minutes free....no problem for our more 'regular' customers.

LOL

3 minutes or less for regular (non constipated) customers......

[ExpatJ]

Get use to it. Most place you go charge to squeeze it off.

Really? I don't know of any pubs and bars with their own facilities that charge bona fide customers to use the kharzi. Some of the groups of outside beer bars with one shared toilet you have to pay for.

Yes, it dooes sound strange as i think i know the place the OP is talking about and this has never happened to me when ive been there.

Heres some amusing food for thought: Are you sure the girl actually worked there?

Maybe she was a "toilet fee freelancer" making a few baht on the side

nothing would suprise me anymore

No toilet attendant.

This girl was sitting at the pub entrance, greeting customers.

I think the bar was 100% correct in charging people who walk in off the street to use their bathrooms (and who dont buy a drink). In this case, it was just bad luck that the woman did not recognize you....

[ExpatJ]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom. I have seen other places that have signs that say "no public bathroom", and I am guessing that they want to discourage that.

Do you know if they charge for customers in the bar? I think they would very quickly lose customers in that way.

some of the people around the tourist venues seem to come from the sub-bottom of society.

You are correct- if you are referring to the tourists themselves!

[Lancelot]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom.

That was my guess too.

Maybe but after the guy explained that he was a regular -and tipping- customer, what's wrong with the girl not being gracious and waiving the fee. I mean really, does it cost the bar 20 baht in water charges?

Just an ill mannered employee showing her authority.

[Lancelot]

back the 1st time when I was in thailand,it was nothing to see someone peeing on the side of the road.It was an every day occurance

I also used to see that in (then) West Germany, locals taking a leak on the side of the autobahn

Edited March 8, 2011 by Lancelot

[smokie36]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom.

That was my guess too.

Maybe but after the guy explained that he was a regular -and tipping- customer, what's wrong with the girl not being gracious and waiving the fee. I mean really, does it cost the bar 20 baht in water charges?

Just an ill mannered employee showing her authority.

You'd save the job of toilet attendant for the most intelligent employee would you?

[atyclb]

I am thinking that she probably did not recognize you, and just saw you come in from the street and go to the bathroom.

That was my guess too.

Maybe but after the guy explained that he was a regular -and tipping- customer, what's wrong with the girl not being gracious and waiving the fee. I mean really, does it cost the bar 20 baht in water charges?

Just an ill mannered employee showing her authority.

You'd save the job of toilet attendant for the most intelligent employee would you?

Imagine if every bar, hotel, restaurant, demanded money from every westerner that used their bathroom. Some are guests, past or present, some are attendees at events, conferences, parties, some are customers, maybe not on that particular night, and some would have been potential customers returning as they saw a live band.

I have eaten lunch a few times at the conrad hotel (great buffet). Sometimes i use a conrad hotel toilet. Imagine if i got stopped on the way out demanding 20 baht, or 10 baht, or perhaps 500 baht baht if you look at the relative aesthetics of conrad toilet to those of the nana bar toilet ????

How is it i know where toilets are in various pubs, hotels, etc; cause I have been a customer in many of those places, as many of us have.

Am I wrong to feel like I am good enough for them to accept my cash and tips, but not good enough to use their toilet on a night that I am not buying drinks.

Seems the only sense of entitlement some of those girls have is being entitled to fast cash from non thais.

Edited March 8, 2011 by atyclb

[jdinasia]

The "sense of entitlement" seems to be in expecting free toilets when you are not a customer.

Amazing that people will complain about things like having to pay for a bathroom when they aren't spending money ..... I thought when I opened this it would be a place charging people who were currently customers to use the bathroom (which would be a bit outrageous...)

Am I wrong to feel like I am good enough for them to accept my cash and tips, but not good enough to use their toilet on a night that I am not buying drinks.

Had you been spending $$ or tipping you rightly wouldn't have been charged.