Originally published on January 31, 2012

As a young boy in the 1950s, I wondered why some toilet stalls in the men’s washrooms were ‘pay toilets,’ which cost 10 cents.

That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but back then, you could buy a bottle of soda for a dime. 

It also costs 25 cents to go to the movies – for an afternoon of entertainment (film, cartoons, and newsreel).

So, the thought of someone paying 10 cents for a couple of minutes of—well, you know—seemed like a crazy waste of money.

At the time, there was a funny rhyme about pay toilets that went like this:

Here I sit broken hearted,

Paid a dime,

And only farted! ~ Author unknown

I remember asking my dad why some stalls were free and why some cost 10 cents.

He explained that some people had lots of money to throw around – or something to that effect.

As a seven—or eight-year-old kid with no money but lots of curiosity, I had to find out what made a ‘pay’ toilet worth 10 cents.

And that remained an unanswered question of mine for some time because I did not have any money. 

Weekly allowances hadn’t been invented yet, so I figured I would have to wait until I was a ‘grown-up‘ to use a pay toilet.

Sometimes, I imagined myself with lots of money.

I would have so much money; when I walked, the coins in my pocket would make lots of noise, and everyone would know I was rich.

And then, when I walk into a pay toilet, everyone will stare at me with envy.

I pictured reaching into my pocket and filling my little hand with dimes, nickels, and quarters.

Then, I would slowly pick out a dime.

Grown men and their sons using the urinals would stop peeing and turn to watch me as I deposited the dime in the coin box on the door.

Then, I would quickly open the door and enter so nobody could glimpse that beautiful, luxurious, exclusive, and secret place!

Sometimes, I might even pay to use the toilet – if all I needed to do was pee or ‘pass gas‘ (fart).

I do not know how old I was when I finally solved this long-standing mystery.

But I remember entering a regular stall, closing the door, and then standing on the toilet seat to peer over the wall to the adjacent ‘pay’ toilet – and I was shocked at what I saw.

The toilet stall was identical to the regular toilet stalls—there were no gold-plated walls, pictures on the wall, free pop dispensers, or free candy—it even had the same kind of toilet paper dispenser!

So, why would anyone pay 10 cents to use a toilet stall, that was identical to the free stalls? I asked myself.

The only answer I could come up with was – because they can!

January 31, 2013 – At 63 years old.

I suddenly needed to use the washroom on my drive into Vancouver to audition for a film yesterday.

I really ‘had to go!’

I quickly parked my car in front of a Starbucks coffee shop and ran to the men’s washroom.

Afterward, I washed my hands and felt somewhat guilty about using their restroom without making a purchase.

I did not want a coffee, so I bought a 10-ounce water bottle instead.

I can take it into the studio with me to sip before I audition or save it for later.

“That will be $2.79, please“, the cashier cheerfully said.

I was shocked – a bottle of water for $2.79!

I did not protest – but I thanked her!

As I walked out the door, I realized I had become someone who would pay 10 cents for a pay toilet.

I have not opened the water – I am saving it for a special occasion.

Conclusion

I must confess that I have used pay toilets in the past, but not always.

As for my Urinary Incontinence, I now rely on products like Depends for Men (adult diapers) when going out.

However, I do not use them at home during the day, except when my dog Buddy takes me for a walk in the neighborhood.

At night, I have a pee bottle next to my bed for when I’m too sleepy (aka lazy) to walk to the bathroom.

You may be thinking, “Too much information, Danny!”

You should bookmark this page for when you are older and ‘wet’ yourself for the first time—especially if you wear light-colored pants!

That is when you’ll thank me.

You’re welcome!

Dedicated to free toilets and Depends

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

(Ooh – Big man in town)

Each day, as I grow older
Cold nights are getting colder
Some day, the sun will shine on me

Money – I don’t have any.
I’m down to my last penny.
But, darling, don’t cry over me.

I’ll be a big man in town, honest, honey
I’ll be a big man in town, promise, darling
I’ll be a big man in town; just you wait and see
You’ll be proud of me

(Big man in town)

They think that I’m a rover.
But my roving days are over.
Some day, your folks will welcome me.

I went away a small man,
But I’ll come home a tall man.
Then what a pretty bride you’ll be.

I’ll be a big man in town, honest, honey
I’ll be a big man in town, promise, darling
I’ll be a big man in town; just you wait and see
You’ll be proud of me

(Big man in town)

I’m gonna make it,
Just wait and see. (Just wait and see)
Oh, I’m gonna make it; just wait and see. (Just wait and see)
Girl, I’m gonna make it; just wait and see. (Just wait and see)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, woo, ooh.

Songwriters: Bob Gaudio

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.