#GenderNeutralRestrooms #InclusiveHospitality #RestroomAccessibility #GenderInclusivity
🚽 Key question: How to offer restroom access without assuming gender? 🚻
In today’s world, inclusivity and gender neutrality are becoming increasingly important topics of discussion. One area where this is particularly relevant is in the realm of restroom access. As highlighted in a real-life situation at a local Taco Bell, assuming someone’s gender when unlocking a restroom can lead to potential discomfort and offense. So, how can we navigate this issue and offer restroom access without making assumptions about gender?
Here are some strategies to address this challenging situation:
### 1. Implement Gender-Neutral Restrooms
– Consider converting one of the existing restrooms into a gender-neutral space. This can help create a more inclusive environment for all customers.
– Display clear signage indicating that the restroom is open to individuals of all genders. This can help alleviate any confusion or discomfort.
### 2. Use Inclusive Language
– Train staff members to use inclusive language when addressing customers who request restroom access. Instead of assuming gender, staff can simply ask, “Which restroom would you like to use?”
– Encourage staff to avoid making assumptions about a customer’s gender identity based on their appearance.
### 3. Provide Education and Training
– Offer training sessions for staff members on topics related to gender inclusivity and LGBTQ+ awareness. This can help promote a more understanding and respectful environment.
– Equip staff with the knowledge and skills to handle situations where customers may question their gender assumptions.
### 4. Seek Input from the LGBTQ+ Community
– Consult with local LGBTQ+ organizations or community members to gather insights and feedback on how to improve restroom accessibility.
– Consider hosting focus groups or surveys to better understand the needs and preferences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
### 5. Advocate for Change
– If you’re part of a larger organization or chain, advocate for policy changes that promote gender inclusivity in restroom access.
– Work towards implementing company-wide guidelines that prioritize inclusivity and respect for all customers.
By taking proactive steps to address the issue of restroom access without assuming gender, businesses can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all customers. Let’s strive to make restroom accessibility a non-issue and prioritize respect and inclusivity in all aspects of hospitality. Together, we can make a positive impact and create a more inclusive world for everyone.
Remember, inclusivity is not just a trend – it’s a crucial aspect of creating a welcoming and accepting space for all individuals. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, support one another, and work towards a more inclusive future.
#GenderInclusivity #RestroomAccessibility #EqualityForAll #InclusiveSpaces 🏳️🌈
Best way to do it would be to have them both gender neutral.
Same key for both would be the next best.
Other than that there’s no way to avoid guessing which one someone wants.
Just have gender neutral ones lol, sounds like their single bathrooms anyway
It’s fine to ask them which restroom they prefer. If they get an attitude just grab whichever key you want and let them know you’re taking them to the cleaner one then. After that they can choose to believe you did in fact take them to the cleaner one, or they’ll let you know they’d prefer the other one. That’s on them at that point.
Give them the less nasty one. And warn them off of the bean burritos.
I’d ask which key they need. If they cause a fuss, say you weren’t sure if it was for someone else or a kid.
There’s only one hole in each room.
First come first serve.
It’s tough ngl. Once I went to this pub and the male and female bathrooms were on opposite sides of the building. As I went out of the female I saw a guy( presumably) spinning around and pointed him to the gents. I didn’t even think about it at the time but maybe he was NB because he looked a little different- pink hair, flamboyant clothes, idk. Didn’t think much of it at the time because NB and trans people are rather rare where I’m from, and I’m not used to seeing them, I just thought he might be gay or something. Feel bad now for assuming
People don’t usually get angry at someone “assuming their gender” in situations like that. If it’s a situation that calls for assuming a gender, and they don’t provide that info when they ask, it’s okay. It’s never really something that “oops, sorry about that” can’t solve if it happens.
2 gender neutral bathrooms labelled 1 and 2. Always give out 1 first, 2 if 1 is in use. No assumption needed and if 2 isn’t given out all day, hopefully less work cleaning.
If there are different facilities (like if one has a baby changing area or is more suitable for disabled access), then label the facility and maybe leave a sign that that facility can be specifically requested. Let the customer choose in that scenario.
You could say in a smiling/apologetic tone: “protocol states I have to ask you: which restroom would you like to use?”
Most people will understand. In this world however, Karens will be Karens.
Put a gender neutral sign on both.
Single occupancy, as many as you need to satisfy code, with just restroom on the door, and koala stations in all of them
If it’s allowed at your workplace, maybe you could just number the bathrooms or something? Assuming they both have toilets in them, that way you can just walk the customer over to either, and it won’t matter
I think I would gesture towards the restroom area and then say “after you…”…. Walk behind them and they will head to whichever one they feel suitable.
> If the guess is wrong, the customer might be offended and ask, ‘Are you assuming my gender?’
Nobody does that in real life.
If you are management or ownership, change the condition. Either remodel the restrooms and set them both up for single person use and make them both gender neutral, or change the system such that there is either a keypad entry or an electronic lock that unlocks the door the customer walks up to with a camera so the employee can see and pick which button to push.
If you aren’t management or owner, just be polite and accomodating, that’s your job. It’s your bosses job to either create a protocol, change the infrastructure, or simply deal with any fall out for not proactively dealing with the situation.
Quite honestly there are only two types of people who, while needing to go potty, will decide to victimize some poor employee just trying to get through their day by making a big issue out of the situation, and both types deserve mockery and a redirect to the bush outside.
Are these two separate individual toilets? If so, the simplest solution is to remove the gendered signs. A large part of the purpose of gendered toilets is for efficiency. It’s really “With urinals” or “Sans urinals”. In lieu (loo) of this, the gender really doesn’t matter. So just get rid of the pointless signs.
Are they both single stall restrooms? If so, I would say that you just give the first one that you grab since there won’t be a difference other than the sign.
You could make a best guess (and you’ll be right99%of the time) and if anyone says “um no, I’d like the other restroom” you can say sorry, what was I thinking, I’m on autopilot, I’m just so used to opening this one, I wasn’t paying attention, I’m such an idiot, that’s the fourth time I’ve done that today, etc.
>the customer might say ‘Can’t you tell?’
*I am paid to ask*.
Make them both gender neutral. Put a number on the door. Or a letter or an animal symbol or whatever. And put the same symbol on the key ring.
Aside from the sign at the door, what is the difference between these restrooms? And if they are locked and only accessible via employee, does it even make a difference, which one I use? And how often was assuming the gender the wrong call?
as a nonbinary person, i think just asking which they’d like is safest, that way trans or cis, people get to choose the one they feel safest in, and even if a cis person is posed that question, it normalizes the *freedom* to choose, and can perhaps teach some people that yes, it does matter to some people. if you’d like you can go the extra mile when they ask that question and say “we like to make it a practice of asking to ensure guests’ comfort :)” and if an angry cis person rages over that then that’s their loss
alternately as other replies mentioned, 2 gender neutral washrooms would probably be the simplest thing, the above part was if you can’t change it
and props to you for being concerned about an issue like this!
I saw a place that changed their signs to Sit / Stand. With no gender identifications.
Close your eyes and offer rest room
Access. Can’t assume what you can’t see
Can always just ask “which one do you need”, as a safe bet
You just ask “do you need the men’s room key or the women’s room key?” It could be a dad asking for his daughter or mom asking for her son, you also don’t know.
If anyone makes a fuss, you have two options: 1. Stare blankly at them until they decide to actually answer you; or 2. Shrug your shoulders and say “we have to ask”.
If you still receive further pushback, you say “soooo….you don’t need a key then?” And start walking away. You can only do so much for people.
Unfortunately, you’re kind of forced to guess gender. If you guess wrong or the customer gets offended, apologize and move on. It’s seriously not a targeted attack; you’re just doing your job.
Always open the womens and say the men’s is being renovated
If it’s a single person bathroom then why does gender matter
Why do single occupancy restrooms that remain locked at all times need to be gendered at all. Take down the signs.
Congratulations, you doubled both your men and women’s restroom capacity instantly and avoided the need to ask any questions!
“Sure, lead the way” then open the door they stop at.
Just ask. It’s not worth considering the feelings of people who get angry at that question.
You ask. If they try to start a fuss with ‘cant you tell’ you just say sorry please leave.
I’ve never encountered a locked restroom that wasn’t a one seater designated by gender. Someone didn’t think your system through.
I’m a bit confused at the situation here. If the bathroom has a key then I would think it’s for one person to use at a time, in which case gender is irrelevant, right?