this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2025
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cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/38101225

Imagine this: you walk into a public restroom in China, but instead of just grabbing toilet paper… you have to scan a QR code and watch an ad first 😅. Only then will the machine dispense a tiny sheet of tissue. Don’t feel like watching? You can also pay 0.5 RMB (about $0.07) for a bit more paper 💸. This system is designed to cut down waste — some people would abuse free paper before. Now, it’s all about “watch an ad or pay a coin.” Would you sit through an ad for free toilet paper, or just drop the 0.5 yuan? 👀 . . .

Source: China Insider on Instagram.

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[–] kikutwo@lemmy.world 32 points 1 day ago (8 children)

How is this any different than Germany where oftentimes the entrance itself is behind a paywall?

[–] es_eskaliert@feddit.org 36 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Dropping in a coin vs what seems to be downloading some sort of an app or at least opening some shady websites on your fucking phone over your fucking mobile data is where I see it. Even if you used the payment option, you'd have to disclose your online payment information to the provider. Privacy nightmare.

[–] es_eskaliert@feddit.org 7 points 1 day ago

Or simply imagine you just took your most violent shit of the century and then have an ad for hot mexican food or something.

[–] ptmb@piefed.zip 21 points 1 day ago (2 children)

The entrance being behind a paywall is bad, but if you're not aware of it before using the toilet this holds you hostage unable to get clean until you pay up, with either your money or your attention. I'd say this is a more evil design, even though both are evil.

[–] kurwa@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Ain't nobody stopping you from having dirty cheeks

[–] 0ops@piefed.zip 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You took the words right out of my mouth

[–] Rebels_Droppin@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago

Put them back in please

[–] Fermion@mander.xyz 18 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Germany doesn't get everything right.

[–] guy_threepwood@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Berlin Hbf. They have a single set of toilets about half the size of what you’d get in a shopping center which cost €2 with turnstyle access for a station the size of a cathedral with something like 20 platforms. 🙈

[–] kikutwo@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago
[–] NotKyloRen@lemmy.zip 11 points 1 day ago

In Germany you're paying to access the bathroom, not the "privilege" of wiping your ass

[–] Typhoon@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 day ago

Then I'm shitting on the door.

[–] Sirence@feddit.org 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

If you're not fat you can just go through the side of the turn thingy sanifair uses for free I guess you could also just go underneath but that seems even less dignified

[–] ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 1 day ago

Hop it like the NYC subway.

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 1 points 22 hours ago

They tried pay toilets in the states but people vandalized the shit out of them until they were gone. These days it can be hard to find public restrooms in places though.

[–] circledot@feddit.org 5 points 1 day ago

It sets precedent. You could extend that on anything. Doesn't make the German pay or piss yourself thing any better though.