I have lived in London, NZ, Australia. All have had free toilets. Why? Growing up in NZ free bathrooms were normal so we take it for granted. Yes, a small population means that these facilities were less likely to be abused. But London? In Shoreditch, a part of East London that is full of pubs and hipsters quaffing the Devil's Dandruff the council sets up urinals in the street where any punter can see you pissing but only your back (it's an Octagonal urinal and you face a wall). This was a fantastic solution to an ancient problem. This may offend the yanks God-fearing sensibilities but surely a step up from seeing the perps member out in full view. The open nature of this urinal also means people are less likely to rob, kill or shag you. Surely one of you lads could bring the weeze trough to SF and make a bundle? A ye entrepreneurs or no?
It will not be implemented in SF because it's only suitable for men. Switzerland appears to have created a solution for women by providing disposable paper "funnels" so the ladies can use it too, but because people lack any decency they would all be stolen within minutes in SF--and if you think creating a male-only public urinal won't fly in SF, just wait until you propose that the women should have to put in a quarter to get a funnel that the men don't need :)
Belgium towns often have these out for festivals and other events. Shaped like an X about 1.5 to 2m high and about 2 x 2m with a yellow hose draining to the nearest sewer. If they didn't, dudes would just pee wherever. I bet that women are out-of-luck and just go somewhere discreet.
Thank you for the link. I enjoyed the historical photos! At Glastonbury music festival, the ladies call these funnels "she wees". Bring back the pissoir!
