Many times I have found myself in a downtown area, and I have to go. You know the feeling, a feeling you cannot ignore. Something has to be done, and fast. But where?
You look around. There are no public bathrooms. There are just office buildings. Not even a McDonald’s or a Starbucks. But wait- there’s hope! You spy a fancy hotel. Maybe, just maybe, if you act right, you can breeze your way into the lobby and find the bathroom. All hotel lobbies have bathrooms. But all hotels also have hotel security! It could be tricky, but you really have no choice. It’s either the fancy hotel, or… you don’t want to consider the alternative.
The trick is to walk into the hotel lobby as if you are staying there, as if you belong there. So what if it costs $200 a night? So what if you’re wearing a T-shirt, shorts, and sandals? It’s all about how you carry yourself. You walk in there as if you own the place. You walk in there as if you arrived the previous night, have been doing your tourist thing, and are arriving back at your hotel. You look busy, you look as if you know where you’re going, as if you have your room key in your pocket. You walk with a firm step, you walk with purpose, you walk as if you belong.
You don’t ask anyone where the bathroom is. They’re usually well marked with signs. You don’t make eye contact with people at the desk or (heaven forbid) hotel security. You don’t attract attention to yourself. You are invisible. You see the restroom signs and you slide in to do your business. Afterwards, if there is a free newspaper to read (hotels sometimes have free newspapers in the lobby for guests) you grab one, sit down on a comfy hotel chair, and read it. This is insurance for future excursions. People working at the hotel will get to know your face, will recognize you as a guest, and you will have no problems in the future.
Photo Credit: Free stock photo from Pixabay: “Free for commercial use. No attribution required.” Please view license here: https://pixabay.com/photos/amsterdam-netherlands-hotel-lobby-2034650/
