Australian tourist fumes at UK public toilets after noticing 'ridiculous' rule

06 January 2023 , 17:53

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Speaking in his video, he panned around to the contactless card-operated gate, as well as onto staff monitoring those going in and out (Image: shearingshed/TikTok)

An Australian tourist was left baffled at a set of UK public toilets - with one rule in particular leaving him furious.

The tourist posted on social media after using the public toilets at Waverley Mall in Edinburgh, which caused much confusion from being charged to using turnstiles to enter.

Sharing a selection of videos about his trip to the Scottish capital, TikTok user @shearingshed quickly posted on January 5, after arriving at Waverley Mall in Edinburgh.

Situated on the basement floor of the shopping centre, the video showed him surrounded by the food court outlets before making his way towards the public toilets.

Recently refurbished, the Australian tourist then began a furious rant about the rule that you have to pay to use thecity centrefacilities, which gained over 23,000 views overnight.

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The TikTok user couldn't believe what the process of using a public toilet in the UK involved (shearingshed/TikTok)

The tourist was baffled at the turnstiles to enter (shearingshed/TikTok)

Although the centre has enforced a fee for their toilets and a turnstile for many years, the gated entrance came as a huge surprise, reports Edinburgh Live.

Speaking in his video, he panned around to the contactless card-operated gate, as well as onto staff monitoring those going in and out.

Explaining his frustration, he said: "What. So you're telling me you have to pay with your credit card to go the the toilet now, and if you don't it just beeps like that. That's ridiculous."

Trying to enter through the exit, he added: "What happens if you go this way, it beeps again, that's crazy. Thirty pence no thanks, I'll just urinate in the street thank you very much."

View the TikTok clip here:

Commenting on the clip, many users were divided in their opinions on the cost, with one writing: "Should be free in retail areas but would be happy to pay at public facilities like train stations if it means they're kept clean."

Another said: "Back in 2018 I went travelling here and couldn't believe this was a thing."

A third added: "I would rather pay for them to clean well kept toilets."

Sian Traynor