You visit a fancy bar. You go to the toilet. As you wash your hands, a man passes over some nice paper towels. He seems to expect a tip. Welcome to one of the UK's grimmest workplaces.
You visit a fancy bar. You go to the toilet. As you wash your hands, a man passes over some nice paper towels. He seems to expect a tip. Welcome to one of the UK's grimmest workplaces.
At 10pm on a Friday, among the drinkers gathering in pubs and bars around the country, Samuel arrives for work.
At 10pm on a Friday, among the drinkers gathering in pubs and bars around the country, Samuel arrives for work.
He unpacks his bottles of soap and cologne, unfolds a chair with a leopard-skin print on the seat, and lays out a silver plate, loading it with half a dozen pound coins.
He unpacks his bottles of soap and cologne, unfolds a chair with a leopard-skin print on the seat, and lays out a silver plate, loading it with half a dozen pound coins.
For the next five hours he will stand guard in the gents' toilets of a pub in a fashionable district of north London, dispensing paper towels and friendly banter, while subtly manoeuvring punters towards the tips plate. Chances are that later on he will be sworn at; he might face physical aggression. He will probably take home less than £50.
For the next five hours he will stand guard in the gents' toilets of a pub in a fashionable district of north London, dispensing paper towels and friendly banter, while subtly manoeuvring punters towards the tips plate. Chances are that later on he will be sworn at; he might face physical aggression. He will probably take home less than £50.Collecting tips at Pasha in Ibiza
Collecting tips at Pasha in Ibiza
Being a toilet attendant is not the sort of job many people would choose as a career. It's a job that usually falls to the financially desperate.
Being a toilet attendant is not the sort of job many people would choose as a career. It's a job that usually falls to the financially desperate.
Attendants are less than popular with many people, who find the whole experience uncomfortable - Britons have never been natural tippers like the Americans, for example, and the process can be fraught.
Attendants are less than popular with many people, who find the whole experience uncomfortable - Britons have never been natural tippers like the Americans, for example, and the process can be fraught.
Others find toilet attendants nothing less than aggravating. In 2003, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy (now Cole) was fined for assaulting a toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa, in a Guildford nightclub. It was reported that an argument broke out after Ms Amogbokpa insisted Tweedy pay her for a lollypop.
Others find toilet attendants nothing less than aggravating. In 2003, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy (now Cole) was fined for assaulting a toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa, in a Guildford nightclub. It was reported that an argument broke out after Ms Amogbokpa insisted Tweedy pay her for a lollypop.
Tips alone
Tips alone
So what do customers at the bar where Samuel works, make of his presence?
So what do customers at the bar where Samuel works, make of his presence? I feel for them, I really do, but it makes me uncomfortable Nightclub customer
I feel for them, I really do, but it makes me uncomfortable Nightclub customer
"Why would anyone want to pay someone else to watch them use the loo?" asks one 30-something patron.
"Why would anyone want to pay someone else to watch them use the loo?" asks one 30-something patron.
"If bars want to employ people to do that, then fine, I think," argues another. "But they can pay for it themselves out of the huge amount of money they make selling me drinks."
"If bars want to employ people to do that, then fine, I think," argues another. "But they can pay for it themselves out of the huge amount of money they make selling me drinks."
"I feel for them, I really do, but it makes me uncomfortable," says a third, wiping his damp hands on his jeans.
"I feel for them, I really do, but it makes me uncomfortable," says a third, wiping his damp hands on his jeans.
It's no surprise that to some, attendants are more commonly known as "bog trolls". Last year, campaigners launched a petition on the Downing Street website to "regulate staffing and charges in the toilets of pubs and clubs".
It's no surprise that to some, attendants are more commonly known as "bog trolls". Last year, campaigners launched a petition on the Downing Street website to "regulate staffing and charges in the toilets of pubs and clubs".
Samuel, 33, earns between £30 and £60 a night. He came to Britain on a student visa, which he says only permits him to work up to 20 hours a week.
Samuel, 33, earns between £30 and £60 a night. He came to Britain on a student visa, which he says only permits him to work up to 20 hours a week.
"I am not supposed to work full-time, and I am not supposed to work in a permanent, salaried job," he says. "So I had to take temporary work."
"I am not supposed to work full-time, and I am not supposed to work in a permanent, salaried job," he says. "So I had to take temporary work."
He first came into the job after answering an advert for work with a cleaning company. But he says he receives no money from the people who first employed him, and is paid only in tips.
He first came into the job after answering an advert for work with a cleaning company. But he says he receives no money from the people who first employed him, and is paid only in tips.
"The company is paid by the bar or club, and as far as the people at the club are concerned I am paid the minimum wage. These companies are proper, registered companies. But the fact is, I don't get paid by them at all, and I have to pay some of my tips to my bosses."
"The company is paid by the bar or club, and as far as the people at the club are concerned I am paid the minimum wage. These companies are proper, registered companies. But the fact is, I don't get paid by them at all, and I have to pay some of my tips to my bosses."
Watchful eye
Watchful eye
For as long as there have been modern nightclubs, attendants have been guarding the toilets. But as bars and clubs try to stamp out drug use on their premises, owners are using restroom attendants to police the loos. In addition, small-town and suburban clubs, keen to emulate the atmosphere of West End establishments, are using attendants.
For as long as there have been modern nightclubs, attendants have been guarding the toilets. But as bars and clubs try to stamp out drug use on their premises, owners are using restroom attendants to police the loos. In addition, small-town and suburban clubs, keen to emulate the atmosphere of West End establishments, are using attendants.Unlikely to be part of the service
Unlikely to be part of the service
Paul Smith, director of Noctis, an organisation which represents the interests of late-night venues in the UK, says there is "huge pressure on clubs, from a few years ago when some were accused of turning a blind eye to drug-taking in the toilets".
Paul Smith, director of Noctis, an organisation which represents the interests of late-night venues in the UK, says there is "huge pressure on clubs, from a few years ago when some were accused of turning a blind eye to drug-taking in the toilets".
"Now it's part of a socially responsible business to keep the toilets properly managed. We work closely with the Home Office on the issue of a regime for making sure toilets were properly maintained."
"Now it's part of a socially responsible business to keep the toilets properly managed. We work closely with the Home Office on the issue of a regime for making sure toilets were properly maintained."
At London's Tiger Tiger club, toilet attendants are a key part of the team, says spokesman Jason Thorndycraft. "They are regular members of staff and are paid in accordance with minimum wage requirements. Customers in our venues tell us that they like the personal attention, which is why we employ them."
At London's Tiger Tiger club, toilet attendants are a key part of the team, says spokesman Jason Thorndycraft. "They are regular members of staff and are paid in accordance with minimum wage requirements. Customers in our venues tell us that they like the personal attention, which is why we employ them."
Yet other venues are more guarded. More than a dozen nightclubs who use toilet attendants were contacted, but not prepared to comment.
Yet other venues are more guarded. More than a dozen nightclubs who use toilet attendants were contacted, but not prepared to comment.
"We used to use them - they were a good way to stop two people from going into the cubicle at once [to take drugs]," says one bar manager, who asked to remain anonymous. "We stopped using them a while ago. The clientele has changed a lot here in the past few years and attendants are no longer necessary."
"We used to use them - they were a good way to stop two people from going into the cubicle at once [to take drugs]," says one bar manager, who asked to remain anonymous. "We stopped using them a while ago. The clientele has changed a lot here in the past few years and attendants are no longer necessary."
A spokesman for the union Unite says toilet attendants are not typically members, but it's common in the service industries for who are immigrants with poor English to be exploited and to find it difficult to organise.
A spokesman for Unite says toilet attendants rarely join a union - it's common in the service industries for immigrants with poor English to be exploited and to find it difficult to organise. It's a humiliating job, of course it is - people regard this not as a job, but as a charity Samuel
It's a humiliating job, of course it is - people regard this not as a job, but as a charity Samuel
Unlike workers in public toilets, who are paid a wage to keep the facilities clean, toilet attendants rely on coaxing tips out of drinkers.
Unlike workers in public toilets, who are paid a wage to keep the facilities clean, toilet attendants rely on coaxing tips out of drinkers.
Cleaning companies deal directly with the bar and club owners, says Samuel - attendants usually have to work through these middle men. Samuel said his arrangement is "the normal and only safe way" to work as a bathroom attendant.
Cleaning companies deal directly with the bar and club owners, says Samuel - attendants usually have to work through these middle men. Samuel said his arrangement is "the normal and only safe way" to work as a bathroom attendant.
"The manager of the bar wants me to be here because I can stop the use of drugs, powders - and stop fights."
"The manager of the bar wants me to be here because I can stop the use of drugs, powders - and stop fights."
Samuel says many toilet attendants are recruited by scouts from cleaning firms, others by word of mouth by those already working.
Samuel says many toilet attendants are recruited by scouts from cleaning firms, others by word of mouth by those already working.
Samuel, a university graduate, worked for eight years as an architect in his native country and came to the UK to study for a diploma: "A diploma from a European country is treated as if it were a masters degree in Africa."
Samuel, a university graduate, worked for eight years as an architect in his native country and came to the UK to study for a diploma: "A diploma from a European country is treated as if it were a masters degree in Africa."
Does it trouble him that he has found himself working in the toilets of a fairly downmarket disco?
Does it trouble him that he has found himself working in the toilets of a fairly downmarket disco?
"It's a humiliating job, of course it is. People regard this not as a job, but as a charity. It's a handout, from you to me."
"It's a humiliating job, of course it is. People regard this not as a job, but as a charity. It's a handout, from you to me."
Service culture
Service culture
In the larger bars and clubs in London's West End, bathroom attendants can make up to £200 on a good night. One of them is James, a man in his 40s.
In the larger bars and clubs in London's West End, bathroom attendants can make up to £200 on a good night. One of them is James, a man in his 40s.Cheryl Cole - then Tweedy - arrives at court after her own altercation
Cheryl Cole - then Tweedy - arrives at court after her own altercation
"That's on a good night, a Friday or Saturday close to Christmas. It's usually much less than that," he says. "I don't find it humiliating. In the end we provide a service, and it's something guests have come to expect."
"That's on a good night, a Friday or Saturday close to Christmas. It's usually much less than that," he says. "I don't find it humiliating. In the end we provide a service, and it's something guests have come to expect."
He is sometimes verbally abused, but being 6ft 3ins it's rare for a punter to take it too far.
He is sometimes verbally abused, but being 6ft 3ins it's rare for a punter to take it too far.
"Sometimes people give it out, usually the drunk ones, but I don't let it get to me," he says.
"Sometimes people give it out, usually the drunk ones, but I don't let it get to me," he says.
Samuel, however, says he encounters aggression almost every night he works: "I know that the way I relate to people means I can handle it." But he says some attendants suffer physical assaults.
Samuel, however, says he encounters aggression almost every night he works: "I know that the way I relate to people means I can handle it." But he says some attendants suffer physical assaults.
"Some people see us as the base of the pyramid. They talk to you like they are better than you. And if they're drunk, they want to fight you."
"Some people see us as the base of the pyramid. They talk to you like they are better than you. And if they're drunk, they want to fight you."
"One place, they changed the toilet attendant every two weeks because people talked badly to them - how could [the attendants] not react?"
"One place, they changed the toilet attendant every two weeks because people talked badly to them - how could [the attendants] not react?"
"This is not something I'm going to be doing for ever," James says, as he squirts eau de cologne onto a customer's hands. "One day soon I'm going to be going home."
"This is not something I'm going to be doing for ever," James says, as he squirts eau de cologne onto a customer's hands. "One day soon I'm going to be going home."
Send us your comments using the form below.
Send us your comments using the form below.
Toilet attendants annoy me. I'm perfectly capable of drying my own hands. I have my own perfume, and don't want to be sprayed with Charlie Red and be charged a pound for the pleasure. And lollipops? Give me a break, I'm not twelve. Lucy, Leeds
From my experience of a club near to my home in south London- the more punters tip the toilet attendant the more he or she will turn a blind eye to the (reasonably) blatant use of narcotics in the bathrooms.Frances, London
