Why do they have unisex toilets in France.?

Question

Why do they have unisex toilets in France.?

Answer 1

As a practical matter it is more efficient but the fact is that while there are many unisex toilets there are at least an equal number of gender segregated facilities.

But even in unisex toilets it is not as if there is no privacy as all such facilities that I have seen provide for private stalls. The only place people actually are in view of each other is when they are washing their hands.

If there are unisex toilets with urinals in plain view of all users then I haven't seen them.

In any case, it is hardly a big deal except to a certain prudish sort.

Now if you really want to get exercised about this sort of thing I can tell you about several places where there are unisex showers.

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Answer 2

They don't have the government regulations that we have.

Answer 3

I think your question could be slightly misleading to other users - it's not as if unisex toilets are the norm, in fact it's much more usual to have separate toilets, exactly like the UK. However, you do get unisex toilets, mostly in small cafes/restaurants, and the very simple reason is that originally taking up space even for one toilet was a "luxury" and it simply never occured to anyone to install more than one. Many small cafes and restaurants are extremely small, and installing another toilet would often be prohibitively expensive, because it would mean completely removing everything (kitchen, toilet, bar) and replacing it. Often if cafes have separate toilets now it's because they've moved them (often to the basement or the floor above), but of course this isn't always an option.

I have seen toilets where there is an enclosed stall, a urinal and a basin, so theoretically a woman washing her hands would be able to see a man using the urinal, but this is fairly rare, and even then it's usually arranged so the users would not be looking at each other without turning their head.

I think fundamentally the French are not as prudish about the idea of urinating as the British - it's seen more as a natural function, so seeing the back (or indeed all of) a man pissing is nothing to write home about.

Answer 4

It is not that common in France, but it does occur in some places like bars and restaurants.  Clearly, it is economical and space saving.  

The only issue appears to be watching men pissing in a urinal.  Most people will have seen men pissing in the street.  It is not so much a big deal, and as the sit down toilets are lockable what is the issue?

Obviously, there can be queues sometimes.  Mostly because women take forever, and don't use urinals in bars.  Men mostly just use urinals, and so consequently male toilets do not have queues.

I have studied queueing systems and this is quite often efficient and fair.  Otherwise, with limited toilets (say in a ski cabin on the top of a mountain),  efficient and fair access to all sit down toilets is the most sensible way to progress.

Answer 5

Some in India are also unisex. Just use them and walk out. I know they all have latches so its fine. Not all places in France but some mind you. LOL

MG

Answer 6

Space is really at a premium in France and in some circumstances (co-ed dorms), the architects/owners probably thought that they could make best use of the space with only one restroom.  As someone already mentioned, the ones that I have seen had only completely closed stalls (from top to bottom) and the only place where males and females "mingled" was to wash hands (btw, only a tap--cold).The unisex showers I saw were not exciting-- again the showers were small and in completely closed stalls.  In Italy and in England, there was a unisex restroom in the budget hotel, but it was a one person only restroom and each person would lock the door.

Answer 7

they do, first time i went to France, i pissed me knickers, literally, went to a bar/restaurant. went the loo. big room. hole in the floor. no bolt on the door, and someone walked in on me, hence the wet knickers. amen

Answer 8

that's rare!

Answer 9

Really ???

Don't know where you saw that, but I never see unisex toilets here....

is it a fantasy ???

Answer 10

God knows but i nearly died when i went and saw a big hairy guy pissin in a urinal

Answer 11

Be happy they exist. I have seen many times when the women's restroom is crowded and the women just walk into the mens toilet, avoiding the urinals, and going straight to the "cabin" This takes some getting used to!

Answer 12

They don't... I've never seen any.

Answer 13

It has started in the revolution! Equality, liberty and Fraternity.

Answer 14

I'm all for equal rights, but I don't think men are very cleanly in the bathroom, so I'd be grossed out if I had to share one.

When I taught skiing in the U.S., I was surprised to discover that men and women share a locker room. It wasn't all that bad as everyone kept their eyes to themselves. I got a lot of dates though.