This Hacker News discussion centers around a new app or service that aims to help users find public restrooms, with users sharing a mix of initial impressions, data accuracy concerns, comparisons to existing services, and reflections on the broader socio-economic aspects of public sanitation and toilet access.
Data Accuracy and Reliability Concerns
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the accuracy of the location data provided by the service. Users reported receiving incorrect or unusable results, raising questions about the data sourcing methodology.
- Dawnerd expressed frustration with the app, stating, "Trying it here and it is showing toilets inside of the public school that you can’t just stroll into. I’m not sure how the data is gathered, but that’s just wrong. Those are not public use at all." They further elaborated on a location issue: "I gave it my exact location and hit emergency and it put me pretty far from my actual gps."
- Kerpal touched upon the challenges of data aggregation services: "That's always the issue with these directory indexer services which try to scrape lots of data. The quality is always questionable." They added, "If users actually adopt it you can have them report or fix the data based on consensus but users won't even bother if they find 1/3 of your listings are complete junk and your platform actually wastes time."
- Skeezyboy bluntly summarized the sentiment: "either way, the data is crap."
- Emsign pointed out a sensory issue related to poorly maintained facilities: "And the urinal stench after a week is a bonus."
- Esskay provided a vivid example of the data's inaccuracy: "Yep my closest one (despite being on the edge of a major city) shows as 8 miles away, in the middle of a field. When I open it up on Google maps its a derelict barn in the middle of private land with no roads. Meanwhile I can literally see a public toilet from the front door of my house in an outdoor shopping area over the other side of the road, and that's not on the map despite it existing there for at least 50 years."
- Dawnerd questioned the project's foundation: "Was this just a vibe coded project? Sure seems like it."
Existence of Pre-existing Services and Competition
Several users pointed out that the concept is not novel and that numerous similar apps and websites already exist, raising questions about this new entrant's differentiation and value proposition.
- Dawnerd listed several alternatives: "There’s existing apps like this though: https://loofind.com/, https://toiletcodes.com/en, https://toiletfinder.net/, https://toiletmap.org.uk/, https://toilet.place/."
- The__alchemist echoed this sentiment, noting, "Note: there is a graveyard full of similar projects." They also offered encouragement contingent on learning from the past: "I think this would be a great service if this takes off, but I hope they learn from prior art."
Socio-Economic and Cultural Aspects of Toilet Access
The discussion delved into the broader issues surrounding public toilet availability, payment models, and user behavior, often drawing on international comparisons and personal anecdotes.
- CjHuber suggested a simple, direct approach: "Just walk into a restaurant an ask nicely?"
- Hereaiham countered this, highlighting regional differences: "Not all places and towns are so friendly. Many places love money so much that they'll say it's only for paying customers, not any customers."
- Skeezyboy offered a cynical observation about user behavior: "maybe one of those unpaying customers shat up the walls. you think im being facetious but its surprisingly common in the first world."
- HarHarVeryFunny commented on the gendered perception of restroom cleanliness: "Never seen that in a men's bathroom, but apparently women's can be vile."
- Lagniappe shared a surprising personal experience: "I have :( Poor guy left his drawers right there on the ground like a lost cause. I almost quit my job but got 100 bucks and a free beer to take care of it."
- Solar_Fields brought up international practices: "Not paying for bathrooms is a distinctly American thing in the Western world. For instance, the McDonalds I used to go to all the time in Sweden actually has a credit card reader on the door." They also provided context: "The story on why it is free is quite interesting, as it used to not be this way in America either: https://psmag.com/economics/dont-pay-toilets-america-bathroom-restroom-free-market-90683/."
- HarHarVeryFunny noted a common strategy in the US: "In the US a fast food place or Starbucks is your best bet - easy to find and they don't care."
- Amelius described a Parisian experience: "I did this once in Paris and they told me to pay 2 euros."
- Komali2 recounted a frustrating encounter in Brussels: "I was genuinely shocked to follow signs to a WC in a Brussels train station and find a pay toilet. Stupid thing wouldn't take my CC so when nature calls... I stepped outside the station and was hit with a slap of piss stink. Makes sense! Added my own, what else am I to do?" They later expressed a fond memory despite this: "I loved my time in Brussels but it really was gross how often I'd randomly smell piss."
- EGreg shared a detail about payment systems: "In France I heard they had toilets that you had to pay to keep the door from opening. A real “captive audience” and “impulse buy” if I do say so."
- LtdJorge clarified the French system: "No, it’s just that you pay for the system, and the lock engages after you’ve paid. It’s not supposed to be used for free, but you can if you hold the door yourself, although I believe the electric system doesn’t turn on (including lighting)."
- Komali2 shared a lengthy, humorous, and introspective anecdote about anxiety and using a toilet, highlighting the human element and the evolution of personal worries: "Randomly recalls to me a core memory: adolescent me at my buddy's house. Fat nerd, anxious about everything... [narrative about racing to a bathroom and realizing the broken lock was a relief] ...I learned to actually think about my worries. My anxiety was ill defined - someone might walk in on me pooping! But in reality, that's just the whole ordeal, someone walks in and then leaves, you won't explode and die about it."
- HarHarVeryFunny referenced historical British slang: "British slang for going to the toilet is (or used to be) to 'spend a penny' since some public bathrooms required you to put a large pre-decimal penny to opening the stall door lock."
Naming and Branding Confusion
Some users expressed confusion regarding the app's title and its relation to the actual functionality described on the website.
- Crazygringo stated: "I'm confused. The title does not describe the site at all. The site is a database of public toilets, with leaderboards for people who help update the information. I can't find anything on it about earning money from toilets or being an 'AirBNB of toilets'."
Humorous and Satirical Commentary
The thread also features lighthearted and satirical remarks, referencing pop culture and the often-absurd nature of technological solutions to everyday problems.
- Daft_pink gave a positive, albeit vulgar, initial reaction: "This new app is the sh*t."
- Soelost, identifying as someone with IBS, offered encouragement: "As someone with IBS whose considered building this many times. Well done!"
- 1970-01-01 connected the service to satire: "What was once satire is now reality: https://theonion.com/new-e-toilet-to-revolutionize-online-shitting-1819565332/."
- Amelius ironically commented on the app's utility: "Finally our smartphones can fulfill one of our most basic needs."
- Parpfish made a humorous comparison to consumer product overkill: "I remember lolling when the razor companies ACTUALLY went to five blades https://theonion.com/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades-1819584036/."
- Joker_vD satirized the progression of innovation: "The first blade shaves clean, the seconds shaves even cleaner... the 27th blade is polishing the jawbone."
- Googlryas humorously referenced a fictional business venture: "iToilet, an app which directs you to the nearest decent toilet any where in the world, was also how Costanza made his millions(before losing it to madoff) in the seinfeld reboot that happened within the Curb Your Enthusiasm universe."
- Geodel imagined a high-end service model: "Perhaps it would be scheme like those Toilet service champions in Gentleman clubs in US. Guys handing napkins and mints to hassled bathroom visitors for couple of dollars."
- Ivape expressed a desire for better infrastructure: "I feel like we have enough real estate and money to build toilets on every block."
- Nancyminusone humorously related it to another app: "Related (sort of): 2013's Poop Map. Though I suppose it's only for #2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poop_Map."
- CuriouslyC made a pithy remark about perceived oversaturation: "Wow. Shark jumped."