Baffling Toilet Signs - Neatorama

New signs for a public loo in Winchcombe, England have people scratching their heads. The infographic resembles a skier with poles, or a man on an escalator. The words "ambulant urinal" convey the idea of a urinal that walks.

Barbara Heard, from Gretton Road, Winchcombe, said she failed to understand how the signs could have been sanctioned by Tewkesbury Borough Council.

She said: "Does anyone have any idea what these signs mean?

"My husband and I regard ourselves as fairly intelligent but we have no idea.

"What will our overseas visitors will make of these signs?

Chris Pike of the Tewkesbury Borough Council says "ambulant" restrooms are larger than standard, and are "intended for people who may be partially disabled but cannot access the full disabled unit." Link -via Arbroath

My initial thought, given that it's intended for a restroom, was that it was someone with two canes (somewhat, but not fully disabled). I agree it's an awful choice, but it doesn't seem that baffling when you consider the context in which you would see it.

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Some people are easily baffled - and some love to display just how easily.

If there's any doubt - why not open the door and see if it's suitable?

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In the US at least they are called ambulatory stalls. They are narrower than the large accessible stalls usually seen in multi-stall restrooms, but they still have the handrails on each side to aide in getting up and down, I assume that's what the "canes" are supposed to represent.

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In the US they're called Handicapped stalls.

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They're mandatory in any run of cubicles over a certain size, by the building regulations. It's a fairly recent rule, so you don't see them everywhere.

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My question is, what's with the sexism? Male "ambulants" get their own urinal restroom, but females have to share?? Funny decision-making all around . . .

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"Chris Pike of the Tewkesbury Borough Council says “ambulant” restrooms are larger than standard..."

Well yeah. Captain Pike has to get his giant wheelchair in there.

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