What's the deal with the lack of Public Restrooms?? Everywhere you go you really have to look hard to find one and don't dare just walk into a restaurant and use the toliet. They look at you like you stole something. When I did find one (like in Jicin) I had to pay,which I didn't mind. I just wonder why businesses (non-restaurants) lock their restrooms and everybody seems to act like restrooms are a privelage instead of a need. My wife is Czech and I have spent tons of time there and love everything about the place and people but why so stingy with the toilets?? Just curious.Sam
Hi Sam, I agree public restrooms are scarce in Czech towns. In my opinion, it only reflects the state of this society. As a business it's probably not very profitable and your Jicin experience indicates a paid place is still a more likely encounter than one free of charge. I consider the towns' local governemnts' having completely different priorities from taking care of public facilities of any kind the essential issue. Perhaps there are exceptions, but, as a Czech saying goes, just to confirm the rule. There is no good excuse, I'm afraid. I can't think of other explanation than this is a stereotype in local authorities' conduct of public services inhereted from the times of the communist government when such approaches were commonplace; even after 13 years. I also think that the restaurants' owners and staff are kind of angry when the public uses their restrooms since they must feel they provide what somebody else should provide and there might be other emotions behind their bad feelings about this phenomenon. Quality of some Czech public restrooms is also appalling, but that's another issue. Jirka
I am bringing this topic up as it is of interest of all of us visting CR. Public washrooms are in all Metro stations, all bus and train terminals, all department stores. I f you are well dressed (no backpack) and cheeky type and not affraid of being stopped by some Eagel eye, you can enter one of the expensive international hotels and go for it. They would not be able to tell the difference between foreign visitor and foreign visitor staying with them. There are always luxury washrooms on the main floor worth visiting. But you have to sashe around like you belong there. It always gives me great satisfaction. In large restaurants same way - they would not notice if place is very large. There are also public washrooms in the Prague Castle area just on right beside Chram Sv. Vita. Many still have "hajzlbaba" (do NOT repeat after me) sitting and distributing toilet paper, supervising that you behave as you should when you do what you should do there. Some are beginning to be free. Going price is 2-3 Kc or little more. Price should always be posted when you come in. Without paying ahead they won't let you in. Then there is always good old MacDonalds, they have usually clean washrooms, however, here too you have to look like you belong and not like someone who just came in to pee. They used to have armed guards by each side of the main entrance (not washroom?!) some years back (especially on Wenceslaw Sq.) to allow foreign tourist freedom to come in, stop holding onto their valuables and hold on to their hamburgers. Perhaps other readers can contribute and share their favourite spots to do what even Pope or Queen of England has to do. Go ahead.
Big deal! I live in a big city in Canada and I could not name one public toilet here except in large stores and shopping centres. If you complain about toilets in Prague, I suggest that you visit Paris or any other city in France. It's the same if not worse. In many cafes you have to drop coins in the toilet door slot even if you are a guest. As for the restaurants: what's wrong with purchasing a glass of something drinkable to justify a visit to the loo? That's my solution.
That is true here in tourist happy Florida, too. Unless you are in the "Mouse House", you are likely to be greeted by a "restrooms for patrons only" sign. I usually take advantage of sampling another wonderful Czech beer in another new watering hole if I need to hit the WC.
Of course, if you're a child, you can just pee in the street, on the tram tracks, or whereever. And this goes for girls as well as boys.
As someone who had a prostatic operation a couple of years, I always locate the public toilets before proceeding any farther. I had no problem finding WCs in the center of Prague two weeks ago. I didn't try far away suburbs, so I couldn't tell. The price varies from 3K to 10K (near Charles Bridge, a cheat as it was not very clean). The average price is 5K. When it is 3K, I give 5K and leave the change. You have to take toilet paper from the reel before you enter a cabin. Most are closed at night, so you have to use those of pubs and restaurants. The MacDonald's are OK. You have to pay the attendant to use them. As regards Paris, there are plenty of public toilets (0.50€) generally more comfortable than in Britain and America as each cabin has a washbasin, a hand-drier and a mirror. Unfortunately they are closed at 19:00 or even earlier, and some close down in August at the peak of the tourist season (!?) so you have to use those in pubs (you often have to drop a coin in the slot), or restaurants (normally free for diners, but not always). There are also Decaux public coined-operated street toilets here and there. When they are not out of order, they work 24/24, 7/7. I don't know any country where public toilets are free. The most disgusting were those of the public library of Baltimore, USA: the cabins had no doors!
I agree with Qcumber. The loos in the arcade by Charles Bridge were disgusting and a tourist rip off at 10Kc. Somebody in authority should try to do something about it. Such a shame. :cry: Wissy.
