Toilets at Taj parking lots

QueenBobo

As I said in a previous thread, I was at Agra/Taj after coming from Canada and had had dental surgery only a couple of days before.

I was not in much pain - more like a lot of discomfort - however this is something of an aside to my story.

We, my Indian BF and I had done the Taj tour and were back in the parking lot after having seen the sights. I had just arrived from Canada the previous night (and sore mouth and all) needed to use the facilities. There was a large sign on the outhouses that said "free toilets"

I went in and did my thing and walked back across the parking lot towards my car when a crowd of of Indians were angrily chasing me across the parking lot demanding to know what I had "done" in the so-called free toilets!!!! They wanted to know if I had just made water or if I had done something more.

Apparently they "charged" more for twosies than onesies!!!! This in a FREE TOILET.

Now, I have been in india many times and I know that it is customary to tip attendants and I was about to ask my friend for a few RS to tip (I had no INR as I had just arrived), but they just made me MAD..

I refused to allow my friend to give them any money (just for the record - no TP or towels or water had been offered - nothing!).

They hounded me across the length of the parking lot demanding to know what I had deposited in the "free toilet".

I just laughed them off - I will gladly a tip for service as I know all folks have to make a living - but these guys were offensive beyond limits.

Is it any wonder western visitors are put off by such behaviour?

With being charged about 10X the admission charged to natives and such offensive nonsense with the "free toilets" who would want to return there?

vkochar

Aah !! THis is a funny incident BUT nevertheless I know about it.

There is a thing called SULABH TOILETS in India - many of you might have seen these in delhi & other public places.

Our Govt is pretty messed up and let alone toilets they are unable to give proper basic amenities to the general public and tourists.

So this Sulabh Toilet thingie started way long back in India where they used to build these toilets and then have people run them and clean them for a very small charge like 2- 5 rupees.

So you just might have visited one of these. Doing the ' watery ' thing is free but doing the Solid thing is chargeable as that requires more cleaning since it can mess it up !!

Nothing wrong they did chasing you. In fact I remember I had an upset stomach once in CP delhi and needed to go to a toilet depserately and this toilet was a life saver. I gladly paid the guy 20 rupees. !!

No worries - And as the saying goes - IT CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN INDIA !!

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