Compared to much of the planet's options to relieve oneself, in my limited experience America has had the most generous access. By that I am referring to access to clean, free, safe bathrooms. Whether it was a public library or a concrete structure at a beach or along the freeway in the form of a rest stop there has always been some form of basic urinal or toilet for a traveler or visitor to access.
This is part of the critical infrastructure that describes progress in the form of basic human dignity and availability by virtue of smart business decisions or public welfare. In case of the former providing the access means less of it ends up on the roadside or a public place and therefore enables business to thrive. Also a relieved person is a better customer than one pissed off about not finding room to (piss off).
Public policy in the US has perhaps embraced this one facet although in recent times the state of the city of San Francisco makes me wonder if all that generosity and learning has now gone down the toilet. Public defecation at the most visited tourist sites is now not uncommon. While the city by the bay is turning into a public toilet there was another furor unfolding in the recent weeks up the coast against a Seattle based corporation that is ubiquitous across the planet with its green mermaid logo.
Touted as the third place and not a purveyor of coffee this franchise is famously derided in the media about its culture of destroying popular mom and pop outlets and converting America to a corporate governed culture; while also praised by wall street for business savvy and providing people access to a unique brand experience. One that gets mention in top brands, and marketing case studies.
To that end the brand came under attack when human bias tripped a society still unsure of their neighbors. A store manager actions led to a couple of African American visitors to a local shop to be taken away by police for asking the use of the restroom without having purchased any product. This caused immediate angst at HQ and they took time off. A day of retraining and underscoring what really matters. Humanity. So the next evening the media published stories heralding the corporate decision that read - Starbucks is opening its bathrooms to everyone - no purchase necessary.
Frankly that is great news for the nation and for anyone who has experienced the urge to visit without warning. As a foodie I know. Now imagine the foot traffic. Something tells me the company might just end up flush with success.
This is part of the critical infrastructure that describes progress in the form of basic human dignity and availability by virtue of smart business decisions or public welfare. In case of the former providing the access means less of it ends up on the roadside or a public place and therefore enables business to thrive. Also a relieved person is a better customer than one pissed off about not finding room to (piss off).
Public policy in the US has perhaps embraced this one facet although in recent times the state of the city of San Francisco makes me wonder if all that generosity and learning has now gone down the toilet. Public defecation at the most visited tourist sites is now not uncommon. While the city by the bay is turning into a public toilet there was another furor unfolding in the recent weeks up the coast against a Seattle based corporation that is ubiquitous across the planet with its green mermaid logo.
Touted as the third place and not a purveyor of coffee this franchise is famously derided in the media about its culture of destroying popular mom and pop outlets and converting America to a corporate governed culture; while also praised by wall street for business savvy and providing people access to a unique brand experience. One that gets mention in top brands, and marketing case studies.
To that end the brand came under attack when human bias tripped a society still unsure of their neighbors. A store manager actions led to a couple of African American visitors to a local shop to be taken away by police for asking the use of the restroom without having purchased any product. This caused immediate angst at HQ and they took time off. A day of retraining and underscoring what really matters. Humanity. So the next evening the media published stories heralding the corporate decision that read - Starbucks is opening its bathrooms to everyone - no purchase necessary.
Frankly that is great news for the nation and for anyone who has experienced the urge to visit without warning. As a foodie I know. Now imagine the foot traffic. Something tells me the company might just end up flush with success.
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