Written by: Alex Rhowuniong
On Guam, like most other places, there is a very healthy positive (or unhealthy, depending on who you asked) attitude towards shopping. As the gathering crowds start to grow as COVID-19 mandates loosened, shoppers are beginning to flood the malls… and so is the number of guys in tow (by their wives).
These are the guys–older guys–you see waiting around on their wives on benches throughout the malls, veggetating!
I noticed in this one mall I frequent that they are usually congregating in areas accessible with restrooms.
Or maybe it was just those few times I was actally looking, but they seemed to be populating those sections of the mall for that reason only.
I got to thinking… maybe the governor should be mandating restrooms in shopping malls as well as moms and pops stores. Better yet, all stores.
It only seems fair. After all, it would seem like the etablishments are out only for your money, not your total well being.
“Where’s the customer service in that?”
I remember shopping in a fairly large outlet store, I met an employee who has just come out the restrooms. I asked if I could use the room, and he said no. The public health has not cleared them to open the bathroom to the public, he said.
Now, that I could appreciate. But my bowel movement was not so understanding towards the restroom. I was getting frustrated, I had to pee. I’m diabetic.
I was actually thinking about just facing the wall right there and then… and do my business.
But I was in a good mood, so my better judgement got the better of me and so the saved wall.
Ever since the pandemic, a lot of the smaller stores have begun to run with an unwritten code… it’s a public health issue, no public rest rooms!
Somehave gone as far as adapting it to store policies, and literally tape the sign onto the front door: ‘No public restrooms!’
So when you enter their store, BOOM!, you get hit with it on your way in. There is restoom but it not just for you– customers!
Now, I don’t know about you. But I’m just thinking: Shouldn’t the management thought, “Oh, hey, what if a diapetic person or a person on wheelchair came in to shop today. And what if they really needed a bathroom, then where would I have him go?”
Well, I think you should open a bathroom for public!
I think every store that ever sells anything should have one. It’s a moral obligation you have to your customers. Not only are you going to deal with him in terms of merchandise, but you have his other needs in mind.
That one gesture alone speaks volume to me, a customers. That is total cutomer service!
But I think if you don’t have any restroom ready to open for public use, you are not ready at all. Better close your business and don’t open at all.
If you want shoppers to return the items and refund their money back… then you better open up the bathroom. I sometimes use that to qualify the store which is going to take my money anyhow.
I think this no-bathroom thingy is wholly blamed on the public health policy. No! Open your bathroom and make sure it’s sanitary.
Part of the store’s being able to sell to the public, is to ensure that their customer service is guaranteed… any form of customer servise, including restrooms.
Going back to the old guys in tow— see, I think they’d rather go on these trips with their lovely wives because they can always count on the men’s room to be there. They have no worry.
Now, mess with their rooms and they’re a no-show. When they don’t show, the ladies don’t shop. Then, your pocket finally come into the picture as income suffers!
What goes around comes around!