You're working in a public building. Someone comes over and asks where the restroom is. You absolutely cannot tell whether this person is male or female.

This has happened more than once and just happened again yesterday

I would try to make a general statement, "its the same on every floor, the men's is to the right of the stairs, the ladies to the left" If they question why you said both, say its your general answer because you get asked that question so many times a day.

Unfortunately that response wouldn't work in this situation. The men's is just to the right of where I am and the ladies is down the other end of the building and then right down a hallway.

And the restrooms are positioned differently on this floor than on all the rest of the floors.

" I don't know. I just started working here. "

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Well not knowing if this request is for the person asking or for someone else that they are asking for, or if its for them and the opposite sex , I would just point out.

Mens is located to the right, ladies located to left and leave it as that, unless you have a "family" restroom then I would say and our family restroom is upstairs..or to break the uneasy feeling of NOT knowing if this person is male or female you could do the left and right and then say , sorry we don't have a "family" restroom.

Wow that is tough. You can't tell? Really? I'm flabbergasted that is awkward. I guess I would agree with those who said "the men's is located ... and the women's is located ..."

I don't recall ever seeing anyone whose sex I could not determine by looking and listening except on tv. This is weird you must have been flummoxed!

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I do think it is fine to describe both the men's and women's locations. As a mom, I have often needed to know both for myself and my children. Or I have asked for my husband and myself.

I think especially since your restrooms are located so far from each other, it is a courtesy to tell them where each is located in case they have a companion.

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I'd give the locations of both restrooms just in case the person was finding out for a group of people I couldn't see.

But secretly I'd be wishing I could see both restrooms so I'd know which one the person chose. Yes, I know I'm nosey.

In all my years of working with the public, I've seen several people that I just could not decide if they were male or female. Not that I care one way or another what gender they are, but it can be puzzling trying to determine if I should use "ma'am" or "sir".

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I had a he/she apply for work years ago. I couldn't tell, and before anyone gets their panties in a bunge, it didn't matter. It just was puzzling, as the op realized also. Now you might think that I could have figuerd it out from the name. No go, it was Bobby. I couldn't even tell if the "y" was really a "y" or an "i" from the application. Even with a discussion during the interview, I couldn't tell from the voice.

I use ma'am and sir a lot and was at a loss. In the end, the person wasn't as qualified as other applicants and didn't get the job.

dl

Thank you for all your suggestions. I think I'll have to come up with wording to direct people to both restrooms as suggested. It seems to be the best solution.

And Dedd, I couldn't tell by the voice either. This one was just impossible.

oh ya I have seen people you cannot tell at all!!!

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How about printing up a little map with a "You are Here" indicator and the locations of the restrooms circled on it. You could laminate it and leave it on the counter. If they ask, you can just point them to the map.

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