Last night I took Thing 1 (4 years old) with me to the mall. After we had wandered around a bit he announced that he had to GO. Anyone familiar with kids knows that when they say they have to go, it is urgent.
So we get to the restroom area and there is a guy there just setting up the barriers that he is going to start cleaning the ladies' room. I don't trust DS to go in the mens' room by himself yet and this mall has a family-style bathroom (bigger room with a couple of open toilets, diaper changing area, room for stroller) A woman was there just ahead of us ans she went into the family room.
Thing 1 was almost crying having to go and I distracted him playing rock/paper/scissors while we waited our turn. Woman finishes, leaves, and we go in. We were in there about 10 seconds when someone else comes along and I hear Rude Mall Guy yelling at them that they can't come in the ladies room they have to use the family room and he's going on and on with this. Someone knocks on the door of the family room and I say "occupied, we'll be just a minute" Thing 1 finishes his business, and starts to get dressed.
Next thing I hear is Rude Mall Guy YELLING at the top of his lungs outside that we are taking too long, there is a line out here, other people gotta use the room, and he's shaking the door handle. It scared Thing 1. I helped him wash his hands and we left, giving Rude Mall Guy (Who I'm pretty sure was supposed to be cleaning the other bathroom so it could be reopened) the look of death.
We were only in there slightly longer than it would take an average grown-up to go, wash up, and leave -- and part of the reason it took longer was because my son was scared of the man yelling outside.
And when we left there were 2 people in line and neither of them looked particularly upset. So I'm pretty sure it was just RMG making a big scene for no good reason
