MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—”THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Our family loaded up the van to trek from Paris, France to Bremen, Germany for Timothee’s university graduation. We were on a wild European adventure!
We crossed into Belgium first and stopped with Vincent’s parents for a picnic lunch. I was about to pee my pants!
I walked up to the door of the gas station and found this sign.
Pay to Pee?!
Oh my! I know I’m back in Europe when I “gotta pay to pee”!
“Where in the world do you pay to pee?!” I asked.
In many parts of the world, I reminded myself.
I went back outside to get a coin from Vincent. Others arriving at the entrance to the toilets were also making a U-turn.
Now, you would think that these toilets would be stunningly beautiful, amazingly clean, and “spa-like.” With those expectations, you may be extremely disappointed. This time, the paper towel dispensers were empty, so Pierre and I wiped our clean, wet hands on our jeans and walked out.
Nothing Fancy!
Nothing fancy. So, where does all that money go? Toilet paper? Soap?
And what happens if you don’t have a 50 centimes coin (approximately 60 U.S. cents)? You can either go to the counter and ask them to give you change for a bill or give you a 50 centimes coin in place of your other coins.
Just an hour later, we crossed the border into the Netherlands. Guess what? The price increased! Seventy centimes to potty! That’s almost $1! This time, the machine gave change for larger coins, like 1 or 2 euros—convenient.
2-for-1
Vincent managed to carry Pierre with him through the sliding doors, so they got the “2 for 1 Special.” I slipped in with my mother-in-law, so Mémé and I also got a deal. Other customers were walking away in disgust, refusing to pay. They chose to go outside to relieve themselves.
Our last “potty stop” before crossing over into Germany was the “bonus” of the day. It cost 50 centimes to use the restroom; however, you could use your 50 centimes receipt to purchase something in the gas station store. As a result, David, Pierre, and I walked out with some of of our favorite Dutch treats—yummy caramel Stroopwafels— with our three euros worth of “potty” receipts!
In some places in Europe, be prepared . . . if you want to use the “pot,” you gotta pay!
If not, the trees outside are still free!
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—”THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever been in a country where you had to pay to use the restroom? If so, where were you and how much did it cost?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
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