# WTF is going on in this McDonalds restroom? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 25, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611 "2009-05-25T22:07:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/1 "2009-05-25T22:07:38Z")
I stopped at a McDonald’s just to run in and take a leak. In the mens restroom there is the usual sign saying employees have to wash their hands, yadda yadda yadda. But above that sign there is a larger one that says, “YES, WE CAN SEE YOU!” with an arrow pointing towards the mirror. There is also a picture of a detective on this sign with a magnifying glass. Am I missing something here?😕 Or are they using hidden cameras or 1 way glass mirrors in the freaking bathroom? WTF? FYI it’s the Solid Gold McDonalds located at 5040 South 76th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53220. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/2 "2009-05-25T22:11:27Z")
Good chance some wiseguy slapped that sticker on the wall that morning. I plead ignorance with respect to legality, but think about the practicality: why would a store with no merchandise waste resources monitoring their bathrooms? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/3 "2009-05-25T22:11:31Z")
It’s a one-way mirror. And on the other side is the women’s room. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/4 "2009-05-25T22:14:01Z")
It may simply be an empty threat for deterrence purposes. It is legal in some states for _employers_ to place surveillance cameras in employee-only accessible bathrooms (that is, ones which the public does not have access t) provided that employees are explicitly made aware of the existence of the cameras, but I know of none which allow surveillance of public restrooms. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/5 "2009-05-25T22:15:22Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > …why would a store with no merchandise waste resources monitoring their bathrooms? Because they waste a good deal of time and money cleaning up after pigs or idiots who think vandalism is fun. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/6 "2009-05-25T22:16:20Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Good chance some wiseguy slapped that sticker on the wall that morning. NO. It’s not just a sticker but a [large](http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb137/pkbites/?action=view¤t=McDonaldsmensBathroom.jpg) sign. To big to be a joke, or to be ignored by employees coming/going. > [@Q.E.D](#): > > It may simply be an empty threat for deterrence purposes. It is legal in some states for _employers_ to place surveillance cameras in employee-only accessible bathrooms (that is, ones which the public does not have access t) provided that employees are explicitly made aware of the existence of the cameras, but I know of none which allow surveillance of public restrooms. It’s a public restroom. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/7 "2009-05-25T22:20:51Z")
Yes, I know. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/8 "2009-05-25T22:28:55Z")
Go ask the manager. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/9 "2009-05-25T22:28:59Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Yes, I know. 😕 How do you know? You mentioned that it may be legal in employee-only bathrooms and **pkbites** thought this would be a good time to mention that it’s for customers also. What’s confusing? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/10 "2009-05-25T23:11:13Z")
> [@Fantome](#): > > How do you know? You mentioned that it may be legal in employee-only bathrooms and **pkbites** thought this would be a good time to mention that it’s for customers also. What’s confusing? Clearly, from the OP, this wasn’t an employee-only bathroom. Since, y’know, it’s a McDonalds and he went in to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/11 "2009-05-25T23:39:01Z")
You have been trolled. You have lost. Have a nice day. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/12 "2009-05-26T14:03:12Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > You have been trolled. You have lost. Have a nice day. [Moderating] Would you please clarify this? Who do you think is trolling? Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/13 "2009-05-26T15:10:59Z")
Perhaps to deter junkies from shooting up in there? That’s been a problem in my city, and it seems to be McDonalds’ bathrooms they pick. I figure due to the cheapest food available there and the long business hours. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/14 "2009-05-26T15:44:50Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > Perhaps to deter junkies from shooting up in there? That’s been a problem in my city, and it seems to be McDonalds’ bathrooms they pick. I figure due to the cheapest food available there and the long business hours. I’d be surprised if there were a bunch of junkies shooting up in the Solid Gold Micky D’s in Greendale. Stranger things have happened, though. Not that I give any justification to any purpose. The idea of a 1 way glass mirror or camera in a bathroom seems pretty fucked up to me. ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/15 "2009-05-26T16:17:57Z")
There’s several reasons why the signs may be there. Whether there are actually cameras there is anyone’s guess. 1. Monitor whether employees wash hands. 2. Discourage drug use or other illegal activities. 3. Advise patrons and employees that they cannot expect privacy. > [@pkbites](#): > > I stopped at a McDonald’s just to run in and take a leak. In the mens restroom there is the usual sign saying employees have to wash their hands, yadda yadda yadda. > > But above that sign there is a larger one that says, “YES, WE CAN SEE YOU!” with an arrow pointing towards the mirror. There is also a picture of a detective on this sign with a magnifying glass. > > Am I missing something here?😕 > Or are they using hidden cameras or 1 way glass mirrors in the freaking bathroom? WTF? > > FYI it’s the Solid Gold McDonalds located at 5040 South 76th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53220. ---
**Author:** ![ivn1188](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@ivn1188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivn1188)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/16 "2009-05-26T16:40:37Z")
You know, the sign could also be a little humor by the company. “We” as in McDonald’s employees, as in the one in the mirror… It fits the corporate culture much better than a bathroom camera, which would probably end up on CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/17 "2009-05-26T19:32:20Z")
If you really want to know what it means, you might do well to ask the manager instead of a bunch of random speculators on the 'net. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/18 "2009-05-26T21:06:54Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Moderating] > > Would you please clarify this? Who do you think is trolling? > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Pretty sure derleth is saying that pkbites was trolled by whoever put the sign up. In all likelihood, that person is not a member of the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/19 "2009-05-26T21:21:18Z")
My first thought was: it’s there to discourage public restroom sex. Does the mirror face the stalls and urinals? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611/20 "2009-05-27T02:19:04Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Pretty sure derleth is saying that pkbites was trolled by whoever put the sign up. In all likelihood, that person is not a member of the SDMB. Yes. I should have been more clear about that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-this-mcdonalds-restroom/497611.md?page=2)