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Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

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Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#72
post #22

I'll assuming that this isn't a joke story. I'm imagining, with some amusement, the inevitable first clash with a city over such a service. You just know someone will complain that this clashes with obscure or arcane zoning laws.

Interestingly (or at least I find it so) any Public House (i.e. Pub) in the UK is required by license and law to let any member of the public use their bathroom, and also to provide fresh water, for no fee.

The toilets do not have to be located in the main building, but be within the property of the main building.

This applies to neither private clubs nor private businesses (i.e. shops).

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#73
Great timing with Mardi Gras-- the company made local news, and if you look at the world map, there's about a dozen openings in New Orleans (but a surprising few in the French Quarter).

I'm convincing the inlaws to to a PPP model in their gallery today.

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#74

Charging to use the restroom urgently gets close to violating the rules of civil society in my books. Yes, I know city governments do it in many big cities. Yes, I know it is the norm in many parts of Europe. But still ... I've had a few businesses (even chains) in NYC insist that I purchase something before using their restroom. As someone who has a comfortable living, I don't hesitate. At the same time, I make a me…

According to http://www.lawblog.de/index.php/archives/2014/01/23/wem-geho... those old ladies in Europe do not get this money as income! The article says that one of them earned up to 8000 EUR/day in shopping mall during chrismas. She never cleaned a toilet, she calls other guys in via radio to do it. She had to give all the money to the company which operated the restroom and her job was just to watch the plate on which the money was dropped by customers. The article is about her suing her company about that money

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#75

Living in the center of Amsterdam, I could make a fortune with this on Queensday.

Hi there. I'm a cofounder at Airpnp. If you're really interested I'd like to talk to you about getting your bathroom going for Queen's Day. Email me at max@airpnp.co

You might also want to talk with this guy at the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco: http://happyurinal.tumblr.com/post/11493020151/puppet-urinal...

That approach might work pretty well on Queen's Day in Amsterdam, too. (Well it's going to be known as King's Day from now on, now that the queen has abdicated.)

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#76
post #17

I've joked around with this idea before, except I called it Püber. In all seriousness, this is an issue I deal with frequently in NYC. I'm out and about in Manhattan all day, get struck by the need to pee, and then run around trying to find any place with a restroom. Paying a buck or two would be a negligible cost if it meant immediate relief. If they expanded and got enough supply, I'd definitely use their service.

I think there are a few restroom directories online. One of them (which I'm unaffiliated with) is Diaroogle.com.

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#77
post #17

I've joked around with this idea before, except I called it Püber. In all seriousness, this is an issue I deal with frequently in NYC. I'm out and about in Manhattan all day, get struck by the need to pee, and then run around trying to find any place with a restroom. Paying a buck or two would be a negligible cost if it meant immediate relief. If they expanded and got enough supply, I'd definitely use their service.

I have a fairly small bladder and I like beer, coffee and soda, so I've had to develop a bit of expertise in this area.

My standby move is to find a decently busy restaurant that's upscale enough to not have a lock on the bathroom like a big-city Starbucks / McDonalds. They'll almost always have a host / hostess stand at the front where people intercept you and prevent you from using their restroom unless you're a customer.

So I've started just walking straight past the stand while 'scanning' the restaurant. If they slow you down (they probably will) to ask if they can help you, just tell them that you're meeting some people and are going to check if they've already been seated.

Walk straight to the bathroom, do your business, and right back out the front. "I didn't see them, I'm going to wait outside." It's never failed me. Use responsibly.

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#78

Charging to use the restroom urgently gets close to violating the rules of civil society in my books. Yes, I know city governments do it in many big cities. Yes, I know it is the norm in many parts of Europe. But still ... I've had a few businesses (even chains) in NYC insist that I purchase something before using their restroom. As someone who has a comfortable living, I don't hesitate. At the same time, I make a me…

Charging for restrooms is also a bit stupid in some cases. I've run into quite a few restrooms here in Denmark where you need to pay by inserting a coin, typically only 2DKK. That's all well an good, the money goes to keep the restrooms clean and you avoid a lot of misuse. The stupid part is that a rather large number of people don't carry cash anymore. The local bus and train terminals are 2DKK to use the restrooms,…

Here across the Sound in Malmö they installed toilet doors that you unlock via premium SMS. Of course, all too late they realized that locks out any tourists without a local phone number...

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#79
Knowing the floor an exact exit from the lift-block of an Executive Lounge can also be quite useful. The bathroom of an Executive Lounge is often a self contained toilet / shower unit together with power-shower, towels and soaps. Depending on the arrangement (and visibility) of the lounge's front desk and lift block, and occupancy of the lounge (passing traffic needing to need to facilitate the facilities), a quick shower is quickly accomplished.

Re: Airpnp: Like Airbnb, but for toilets

#80
post #17

I've joked around with this idea before, except I called it Püber. In all seriousness, this is an issue I deal with frequently in NYC. I'm out and about in Manhattan all day, get struck by the need to pee, and then run around trying to find any place with a restroom. Paying a buck or two would be a negligible cost if it meant immediate relief. If they expanded and got enough supply, I'd definitely use their service.

I have a fairly small bladder and I like beer, coffee and soda, so I've had to develop a bit of expertise in this area. My standby move is to find a decently busy restaurant that's upscale enough to not have a lock on the bathroom like a big-city Starbucks / McDonalds. They'll almost always have a host / hostess stand at the front where people intercept you and prevent you from using their restroom unless you're a cu…

Or be like plenty of places in Europe, chuck 50c in the basket outside the toilet. More if it's a number 2. Or if it was really clean.

One of the worst moments I had was in a rural part of Belgium, I had a call of nature whilst in the cafe, after completion I realised I had no euros left. Walk of shame to my table, the waiter notices nothing went in the basket and says something about Englanders just loud enough for me to hear.

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