Let’s face it, we all need to go and because we all need to go on a regular basis during an active life, sometimes, we need to go at non-convenient moments.  Convenient moments of go-ing are defined by having access to a clean bathroom at the ready.  Non-convenient go-ing is when you have to seek out a bathroom and, depending upon the severity of the need to go, maybe just a secluded spot.  Over my many years and travels, I have gone in some interesting places and spaces.  I have learned that the definition of clean varies depending upon your location as well as the toilet seat height, with a Western toilet being “sit” worthy and many others around the world requiring the user to “squat” quite low.   Simply stated, my need to go has lead me to experience things I may not have otherwise experienced and to meet people I may not have otherwise met…
During one of my first European trips, I discovered that service stations off the highways were very convenient places to go, and although they typically cost about .70 euros each, they are always clean.  On one particular occasion, I realized, upon entering the highly amenity-filled service station, that I didn’t have change for the bathroom, but rather than panicking, I figured that our purchases would yield us the change necessary to use the facility.   Unfortunately, for my change, the cashier handed me back Euro bills and a mere 20 cent coin.  Luckily, at this particular service area, the use of the restrooms turned out to be free.  There was, however, a restroom Service Lady at the entrance door, making sure that not only were the restrooms tidy but also that her “tips” bowl had a visually prominent location. 
As is often the case, my husband had a shorter wait and was able to complete his task while I was still waiting.  Without a coin for a tip in his pocket and sort of motioning for me to take care of it, I watched him walk right past the Service Lady and head to the car.  I thought about how I should handle my lack of change issue: I didn’t want to drop a $10 Euro in the bowl and fish out change but if my husband had just walked by without even a look of disdain from the Service Lady, surely my 20 cent tip was going to be better than his nothing.
After successfully go-ing and departing the restroom, I nicely smiled at the Service Lady and gently deposited my meager coin into her tip bowl.
I’m not sure how many steps I had taken before I heard someone shrewdly yelling at me from behind.  Of course, the yelling was in a language I was not entirely familiar with and so it took me a bit longer to realize that the loud sound behind me was coming from the Service Lady who was chasing me and aggressively waving something in her hand.
In the end, I didn’t need to understand her language as I knew she was publicly shaming me about my insult of leaving her only 20 cents.  She threw it back at me.  I wasn’t sure why she gave me back the 20 cents and yet, offered no insult to my husband who hadn’t left her anything, but with tears in my eyes, I quickly stuffed the coin in my pocket and practically ran to the comfort of our car, wanting nothing more than to make a quick exit. 
After relaying my story to my snickering husband, I learned, rather emphatically that, if you’ve gotta go in Europe, make sure to carry a $1 Euro coin in your pocket.  ALWAYS ALWAYS
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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