Common Mistakes: Bathroom Attendants

August 2, 2012

Whenever I go to one of my events (or any party for that matter) I always make mental notes as to what elements are working to enhance the experience of guests, and more importantly, what areas need improvement. It is my personal opinion that this is our professional duty and the only way to raise the bar when it comes to entertaining.

Today, I would like to list my #1 pet peeve at events: Bathroom Attendants.

There are certain activities that I prefer to do privately. Going to the bathroom ranks at the top of this list. I have never understood the concept behind having someone harboring over you, handing you a towel and then asking for a tip. I always feel badly for the attendant as I am sure there are far better ways to earn a living. I am also perplexed when it comes to calculating the appropriate amount to tip them.

I think this is an unnecessary expense at events and one that makes many guests feel uncomfortable and therefore should be eliminated.

Please share your opinion. Am I being too strong in depriving someone in earning a living? How do you feel about bathroom attendants? Also, please feel free to list the things you feel should not be done at events. For example, having guests wait in a long buffet line. No one should wait 20 minutes to get their food. That also drives me crazy.

Blessings,

Preston

(Photo Courtesy of Castro Vacation)

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http://www.grandillusionsweddings.com Heather Chesnet

I totally agree. A bathroom trip is very private. Get rid of the bathroom attendant and let it stay private.
http://www.ambientdj.com Gregg Hollmann

Preston,

I think bathroom attendants are a good idea, if for any reason, to keep the bathroom tidy. I recently worked a wedding where the garbage can was overflowing onto the floor with paper towels, and one sink was full of vomit. I notified the banquet staff of the problem, but it remained for the remaining 90 minutes of the reception and was never cleaned up.

I also enjoy those collections of mints, colognes and sundries that are sometimes available in the bathroom.
Lauren

I had a pretty mortifying moment at a recent wedding (that I was actually attending as a guest!) and the bathroom attendant pretty much saved my life…or at least my night! So, I was lookin pretty spiffy in my new dress, complete with a new spanx skirt slip to make it just right in all the right places.

Well, here I am dancing the night away when I somehow move the wrong way and the split in the back of my dress split up about 5 inches. MORTIFYING. Thank God I had my spanx skirt on, so it didn’t reveal too much! But, my husband gave me his jacket where I went to the bathroom, hoping to find a sewing kit. The attendant somehow knew exactly what I was looking for before I took off his jacket and said, “I’ll sew it up for you- no worries!” So I didn’t have to hide in the bathroom stall trying to sew up my own dress. And, she made me feel like it was no big deal, like she did it all the time. And, I only missed 10 minutes of the party.

I LOVE BATHROOM ATTENDANTS!
http://www.storiedevents.com Carrie Lane

I think it really all depends on the venue. We primarily produce outside tented weddings. It is essential to have someone onsite to ensure the trailers are clean and working properly. I’ve been on the opposite side, where we had no attendant. This was no fun. No one wants the responsibility of cleaning or fixing toilets. Having an attendant ensures the restroom part of the event is all buttoned up.
http://YOURWEBSITEwww.bydavidnyc.com BD Companies

My only response to the restroom attendants is that “maybe you are at the wrong events”
Out attendants are there to keep the restroom tidy and be cordial to the guests. They get paid a salary like a server or bartender. If the restrooms start to become filthy then you would complain that the restroom is dirty and we as the event planners would have to go and clean it because their would be no one to attend.

If you need restroom attendants that are cordial please contact BD Staffing | Events | Catering 212.741.0641 inquiries@bydavidnyc.com
http://www.specialtyribbon.com Personalized Ribbons Girl Says…

I have felt the same way about the bathroom attendant thing. I think it is demoralizing to the person and makes people feel nervous when in there doing their business. I ran into this for the first time in New Orleans. Being from Canada we never experience this sort of thing. Glad you brought it up. It’s nice to know someone else things this way also. It’s been 17 years ago and I still talk about it from time to time.
http://www.alphaprosperity.com Alpha Prosperity – Houston Wedding Planner

Well, there are great arguments for both sides of the issue. This may be one of those case by case or event by event issues. As the host of the event, you always want a tidy restroom and for your guests to feel comfortable if there is some sort of mishap. These individuals should be paid an agreed upon amount and if people choose to tip, as in the comment where the the attendant came to the rescue, so be it. Most professional staff hired in this capacity know how to be discreet and invisible so they don’t make guests feel uncomfortable by their presence. I think in most instances, it can be a good thing.
http://www.simplylavishweddingsandevents.com Simply Lavish Weddings & Events, LLC

Great pros and cons on the bathroom attendant issue, however, I too am not a fan on having one. Now as a professional planner, at any event I’m coordinating, keeping the restrooms tidy and fresh is one of the responsibilities of the day for my day of assistants or interns. I always have a basket of emergency items in the restroom, in addition to lotion and scented heated oils for male and female. I leave a note saying it’s courtesy from the couple. The guests always appreciates this.
http://extraordinaire-affairs.com jaynae

I agree 100%. I know I couldn’t do it. It seems degrading too!
http://www.displaygroup.com megan

Completely agree, I don’t think they are necessary.
http://donthave1.com Joe

Well I am a Bathroom Attendant in a high profile Casino and I can tell you the money is very good if you got the right personality, I have no problem doing this I’m always doing something when people are coming into the room stocking cleaning or whatever and I get mad compliments from tourists around the world as I do work in Las Vegas I ask you people this who think there’s no need for an attendant how would like like to come into a smelly, dirty shitty bathroom and you absolutely have to go??? I bet you would want one then!! I have saved peoples days let’s say someone needed a bandaid or they need eyedrops etc etc it’s the little things that people appreciate right now I can tell you I make about 250 dollars a day and when we get one of the local nightclubs well I’ll easily triple that amount good god I may never work a regular job again!!!
http://www.facebook.com/CptFabulous Christian Ferrer

I’ve always related rathroom attendants to high luxury hotels and events.
I believe if that is the miage you wish to prject with your events a bathroom attendant is a wise move, however I do recognize your concers and think they should be considered, as well as how your audience would recieve the experience.