Toilets in rome

On average there is a bar every three or four blocks. The cheapest thing to order is a glass of not-sparkling mineral water. You re not supposed to drink it if you are not thirsty, it's just a way to be polite.

hey hey denny
not only in rome but other places, we stop in a bar/cafe and order a drink or snack, relax for a minute, people watch, use the restroom, pay the bill and off we go on our next adventure. enjoy
aloha

I am here now and you will find lots of little spots. Everywhere.

Thanks! I've been feeling anxious about this ever since I began to think about going to Rome (for three weeks!).

Often I don't really enjoy sitting around in a tiny, crowded cafe-bar, as I enjoy the outside air and have an itinerary I'm trying to follow, so I'd just want to dash in and use the WC. I recall in Venice you could just dunk an espresso down and then use it.

I assume that in Rome as in Paris, customers smoke outside on the terrace, as well.

I've been known to walk into a bar, smile, put a 1-euro coin on the counter and ask about the toilet. I don't see why anyone would object to that, as opposed to buying water if I don't need it. I don't like buying bottled water when it's not necessary.

I would use the acraven approach, because if you buy a drink in order to pee, guess what will happen 30 minutes later ...

As I wrote, a glass of water does not imply plastic and the person using the toilette is not necessarily supposed to drink it.

Putting money on the counter is a little rude, but it's a nice present to the bar's employee who'll pocket it.

We always opted for the drink. The toilet is a euro and a caffe (and the use of the bathroom) is a little over a euro. We need the pick-me-up and the toilets are generally nicer in restaurants. The water from the fountains in the street is always good, so we don't buy water.

I always assumed the staffer would keep the money, yes. On super-hot days when I've needed cold water and bought it at a bar, I've always been given a bottle of water, not water in a glass. I guess that's because I just asked for still water rather than a glass of water. In the US, "a glass of water" would pretty much imply you wanted free tap water, which would not generate a tab that would justify use of the bar's toilet.

Clearly, the primary answer to this dilemma, and many others, lies in the word “gelato”!
Museums and many other tourist sites, also large stores, have restrooms for those who are inside.
I would say that one rule of thumb would be to visit a bathroom once in a while whenever you have the opportunity, rather than waiting for the moment of urgent need.
Also, if you choose lodging in a central location, you can often plan your day to include a mid-day stop at your room to use the rest room, wash up, drop things off, and stretch out for a few minutes or more.

Even in the States we would never just stop at a gas station just to use the facilities. We always buy something if we are not getting gas. The same in Europe----and people are so appreciative for your consideration.

. . . I would say that one rule of thumb would be to visit a bathroom once in a while whenever you have the opportunity, rather than waiting for the moment of urgent need."

The best single piece of travel advice there is, home or abroad.

I think people dont recognize that in the US, there aren't that many "public" restrooms either, maybe less. We're just used to driving everywhere and stopping in the Quick Trip or highway rest stop. Almost all the shops and restaurants in core downtown areas ( where tourists are likely to go) have posted signs saying "restrooms for customers only" or more directly, "No public restrooms". Its just that we're not used to asking for permission, or making eye contact with a worker to get access.

While we're on the subject, over the past four years, the tourist authority (?) in Rome has constructed some nice glass-enclosed offices with public bathrooms below. They're clean and well-lit. I remember seeing one last month near San Giovanni in Laterano and one near Santa Maria Maggiore. Are there others?