I’d barely managed to manoeuvre myself out of the door when I was unexpectedly pounced upon by a blond-haired lady with a grin the size of the Nile. She could hardly contain her excitement as she blurted out words that I never expected to encounter on vacating a toilet cubicle.
“How did you find your experience today?”
“Oh, um, yeah, good thanks”. Not knowing what else to say, I sat there, all too aware that this unexpected interviewer who was stood before me was eyeing me up as though I were the catch of the day. She’d clearly been disappointed by all the able-bodied tiddlers who’d used the facilities before me but now had her sights set on a real megalodon of a disabled person.
“How did you find using our new Radar key system? Was everything nice and accessible for you? Could you reach the loo-roll?”
Questions, so many questions. I tried my best to engage in this unsolicited conversation. I had, after all, just used a sparkling new public toilet which, on previous visits, had been nose-pinchingly bad. And so, I congratulated this woman on what was clearly a very proud moment in her professional career. She had spear-headed the much-needed refurbishment of some of the city’s most frequented loos, and for that I was very grateful.
“Wonderful!” She beamed, almost clapping her hands in joy. “Just one last thing, if I may. Would you mind if I took your photo?”
Horrified, I could see her hand reaching into her pocket to locate her phone. I did a quick review in my mind of what I must look like. It was early. I hadn’t yet showered. I had no make-up on and was wearing glasses along with a somewhat unflattering anorak on account of the rain. No, I decided. I was in no way feeling photogenic as I sat bemused, the toilet gleaming behind me.
“Sorry, but I’m not looking my best”, I stammered.
“Oh, no! You look gorgeous”.
I shook my head, no.
The lady thanked me for my time anyway and watched as I wheeled myself swiftly away to safety.
I wonder what the photo was to be used for. A website? A board meeting? The front page of the local newspaper? Hmm.
The Wibbly Dinosaur 
What a weird experience, I think I would say no to the photo too
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You’ve made me laugh! I remember being in Dominica a few years ago. We went into a supermarket which had various steps but also a long ramp to the entrance. So I went up the ramp on my scooter and pottered round. I was stopped by the manager who wanted to take my photo, he was delighted I was there saying ‘I told them we needed a ramp!’. I think I was the first to use it….
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