Bathroom Payment

In America, at some places, it is a common courtesy to buy something if you’re going to use the bathroom. However, it is not mandatory to do so. You are able to walk into any place and use their bathroom free of charge.
When I first arrived in Italy and traveled to the Amalfi Coast, it was my first time ever paying for the bathroom. Yes, you read that right. I had to pay to use the bathroom.
When I walked in, there was a man standing at the entrance with a cash register. There was a sign in front of the register that said “bathroom 50 cents.” So I dug 50 cents out of my bag, handed it to him, and walked into the bathroom. After that day, every time I needed to use the bathroom while I was in a public place, I always had 50 cents ready. Keeping this level of preparedness was helpful until I got to Venice this past weekend. In Venice, the cost to use the restroom was extremely high at 1.50 euro. I thought that this price was ridiculous and very unreasonable.

Other than in tourist areas like the Amalfi Coast and Venice, you will find that you have to pay for bathroom usage at fast food restaurants and even rest stops along the highway. Some of the time there is a bathroom attendant standing there collecting money, but often times there is a small machine that you insert money into. Once you insert the money, the doors will open, allowing you to pass through into the bathroom.

After learning a lot about Italian culture and customs during my time here, paying to use the bathroom is just one that I don’t think I will ever understand.