Having delivery guys use your bathroom

[mosmom]

Ok, this is, I think, a delicate one... The question about it came to my mind again as I was reading Katie's thread about deliveries and tipping.
About two weeks ago, IKEA delivered a table (nothing else). Afterwards, one of the two delivery guys asked me "Miss, can I use your bathroom?" I said "Sorry... no." The delivery guy backed off immediately and politely said: "It's okay, no problem." He was really nice, so I immediately felt bad..
Reasons for my negative response are: 1. My dad always used to hate guys asking to use our bathroom. He thought of them being filthy, and that they would 'mess around'. He also always wondered why delivery guys never went somewhere else to do their biz. 2. I think my dad is right to a certain degree: most delivery guys (though not all, and of course it's a guy's thing that they never seem to be able to 'aim', LOL!) do mess around, and I really feel disgusted of a guy 'spraying around' in my bathroom, and I need to do the cleaning-up afterwards. And 3. when they need to go, they need to go, and in the urgency of the situation don't take of their shoes, either.
This was actually the first time I told a delivery guy not to use my bathroom, and immediately felt a bit bad about it. I wonder what THEIR company policies are and etiquettes that I on my part should follow. Do these poor lads never get a chance to do their private business during all day of delivering things?
I also thought that, just delivering one piece of furniture/the table didn't entitle him to 'attack' my bathroom. Plus, I was home alone and didn't feel safe about letting one in and having the other waiting at the door..
I know I put lots of self-defense in my arguments, but would really be interested in what your attitudes / experiences are. It just always seem to happen to me when I have a delivery. Many thx!

 

[aussiegal]

If you have a maid's room with bathroom I think it's ok to let them use that. I totally understand you not wanting them to use yours. Ideally of course, they wouldn't use either.

 

[joannek]

i think instead of saying no next time, maybe you can think of a modal answer, like "there's a bathroom downstairs at the managment office" so it sounds better & it doesn't make you feel as bad. heh heh.

and yes, i agree with everything you say.

 

[ELT]

Joannek, thanks for your very good suggetion. I had similar experience and I didn't know how to say 'NO' so I ended up letting the guy use the bathroom but felt totally uncomfortable at it.

 

[kashismum]

If you have a maid's room with bathroom I think it's ok to let them use that. I totally understand you not wanting them to use yours. Ideally of course, they wouldn't use either.

Presuming you don't have a maid, of course, and the bathroom is not used!

 

[Babyface]

Maybe it's just me but I wouldn't have a problem with it. It's bad enough finding toilets in HK at the best of times so I'd imagine it's even worse for those poor delivery men who are on the go all day.

 

[aussiegal]

Kashishmum, I haven't met too many delivery guys, particularly from Ikea that are that bad so even if my maid was home I'd let them use her bathroom. It happened just a few weeks ago and in fact one just marched down the kitchen looking for her bathroom to use! It's absolutely not ideal but she didn't seem to mind and she is vocal when she does. In any case, if I let them use our bathroom I'd just be sending her in after them to clean up so there's not much difference.

Really, i'm uncomfortable with anyone using my bathrooms that hasn't been invited into the house, a friend, a guest etc.When we had a home open to rent out our house I hated the idea of strangers using my bathroom and found it very rude. I've since read guidelines on inspecting people's homes and they say you should never use the bathroom, it's just too rude and it invades the owner's privacy.

So I agree with one of the first posters that they probably shouldn't be asking in the first place. Another suggested directing them to the facilities in the complex if there are any and I think that's a great idea.I'll be using that one.

 

[mummybee]

I second madabtcows. don't have problems lettting them use our guest bathroom and have in fact let them used it the few times I had deliveries. I do go in to check afterwards and wipe down the place just to make sure. They have probably been holding it in for a bit before asking so I sympathise with them. There are many a time I am in desperate need of washroom while out shopping (can't seem to hold pee well after delivery!) and some kind shop ladies let me use their toilets before.

 

[mosmom]

Joanne, I like your choice of polite answer. Indeed, we do have a clubhouse with a washroom, so this makes good sense. Thank you :banana:

 

[nursie]

I think it's sad and pathetic to refuse somebody who asks you politely to use the bathroom. It really isn't that big of a bother to 'disinfect' the toilet afterwards...