What's up with the water closet?

A colleague recently asked why I mention the state of water closets (aka bathrooms) in my posts about restaurants.

First, some background about the term water closet. The term "water closet" was an early term for an interior or exterior room with a flushing toilet in contrast with an earth closet usually outdoors and requiring periodic emptying as "night soil". Originally, the term "wash-down closet" was used. The term "water closet" was coined in England around 1870. It did not reach the United States until the 1880s......The term "water closet" is still used today in some places, but it often refers to a room that has both a toilet and other plumbing fixtures such as a sink or a bathtub.  [source: Wikipedia]

I mention the state of bathrooms in my reviews because the bathroom is one area that employees and diners alike use (yes, I'm aware that some establishments have bathrooms for staff only). If the bathroom is not clean and tidy it makes me wonder what the state of the kitchen is.  I realize that dining establishments get busy and sometimes it's difficult to divert someone from paying diners  to check on the state of the bathrooms. I encourage establishments to send someone by to check hourly at least to make the make sure garbage is not overflowing and removed, keep toilet paper and  paper towels stocked. You really don't want me  or other diners searching for toilet paper and paper towels in your establishment. Or for diners to get the place impression that the establishment is dirty.

Having  said that, sometimes the issue is fellow diners. Two pieces of advice: flush and wash your hands. If your practice at home is not to flush or wash your hands, please leave the practice at home before dining out.

Enough water closet talk.

Be well,
Technicolor girl