Public conveniences - again

Returning to the matter of public conveniences (as previously discussed here and anywhere else I can rant), one disappointment in Montreal was that the loo doors had the American style two inch gap at each side. My bete noire. Given that my hotel room had an electric kettle, (unknown in the States) hope led me to believe that there'd be a more civilized loo door. Indeed, I was getting positively giddy about the thought of a private pee. (I don't get out much.) I know Montreal has fought hard to retain its French identity but surely the modesty-protecting British door is a feature that should have been adopted, along with the electric kettle? Alas no.

(A note to Brits staying in US hotels - you will probably find tea bags in your little hotel room welcome tray, but only a wretched coffee maker. Never fear - what you do is, rinse out the coffee pot a few times, fill the receptacle thingy as normal with tap water, then run the coffee maker with no coffee bag or filter in. Voila - hot water in which you can then dunk your tea bag. If the water initially comes out looking a bit brown, just repeat the rinsing and you should get clear water next time.)

Getting back to restrooms, WCs, loos or whatever your nomenclature of choice is - I did happen upon those new Dyson hand dryers. Although he's all over the TV talking about them, they have yet to make an appearance in my neck of Chicago. But very effective they are too. Unlike your normal hand dryers which have you giving up and wiping your hands on your jeans as an irate and impatient line/queue forms behind you, the Dyson dryer could conceivably be used in building restoration work or even armed combat. They don't blow hot, limp air in the hope of "convecting" your hands dry, so much as blast the water off with the force of a space shuttle take-off. I suggest Sir James should consider adapting them for the Met Police or UN Forces to use as a crowd control method- swiftly rounding up those Chelsea fans or foreign "insurgents" into neat little groups, ready to be handcuffed, hog-tied or spirited away. (I'll just take a 10% commision there Sir J, thank you very much.)

I have to say though, that for those of us who are on the other side of thirty, it's a bit of a glimpse into the future to see the skin on the back of your hands wrinkle and move around so much under the pressure. A definite reminder to don the rubber gloves and moisurize daily.