It was the famous travel writer Pico Iyer who once bemoaned travellers who ranked cities, countries and even civilisations by the condition of the airport toilets and luggage trolleys. But, it’s all about first impressions I guess, and we cannot underestimate the importance of these amenities.
Our own Bahrain International Airport is relatively new and the toilets score well – in the grand-sounding World Airports Awards 2025 Top 10 Washrooms (yes, I’m not making this up), Bahrain Airport’s washrooms stood fourth after Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul. And, as we say whenever such lists pop up, the first GCC country in the Top 10.
The airport toilets in Bahrain were apparently judged for cleanliness, comfort and the blend (of) luxury with Eastern design, including marble, gold accents, premium fragrances and prayer facilities.”
I would go so far as to say washrooms in all public facilities must be ranked for such comforts.
The average person spends more time in the shopping mall or office than in the airport, so let’s keep tabs on how these places fare in the washroom stakes.
And, while we are at it, spare a thought for the lonely washroom attendant. They’re usually under 40 women and men who spend 80 per cent of their time doing a job nobody wants to acknowledge yet one that is essential for our comfort.
I always try to tip them or at least smile and make small talk. You will be surprised how this makes them feel visible and less as if they didn’t exist.
We have Happiness Index for countries and even Happiness Ministers. That would mean the world believes that every human has the right to expect happiness in the workplace.
For the washroom workers, this would mean proper breaks, a place away from the washroom area in which to relax and have their chai or meals and certainly, proper days off.
In so many public washroom spaces, I see the same faces at every hour of the day, pulling long hours, seven-days-a-week.
Their faces glisten in the fluorescence and they hardly see the space outside their work area. One of them told me that it is not the long hours that they minded but the dehumanising conditions of their workplace.
Have we ever thought of the irony of these workers being in some of the most luxurious retail spaces but never seeing any of the shops, let alone ever aspiring to be a shopper there?
Like they used to with garment workers, the Washroom Awards must measure the happiness of the washroom workers too! Only then can we say true progress has been made.
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