Hi Chelly,

Why agonize over it whatever the reason? Since you have an alternative, the store down the block, give them your business and appreciate their customer service.

I wonder if they hold the same policy if it were a diaper bag.

Either way, I'd write a letter of complaint stating that you'll be taking your business elsewhere.

I agree with @Fred that another place of business would likely appreciate your patronage more than this other one does.

If you had no other choice, and feel comfortable with it, offer to show the contents of your bag to the attendant before you leave. I do understand their concern regarding theft, but unfortunately, private businesses often set their own (strict) rules.

I know how upsetting that can be Chelly! I live in a small town with a lot of through traffic & one thing I noticed right away were the signs about back packs  & bags needing to be left at the front desk.  

One day needing a washroom & instead of being made to feel some what like a possible criminal, as I enter thru the door I say hello to the staff at the desk. Lift my small backpack & asked if the manager was in at all??  If no manager there is usually someone placed in charge. When identified I pull them aside & tell them about my ostomy and explain my pouching issue.   If they give me that, I don't believe it look I've actually lifted my shirt & flashed my stoma!!  Lol, thats another fun moment! Lol! But it has given me right away into any place in town with my backpack. I also always promise to leave the washroom as clean as I find it.

However... theres a few things one can do for a good reputation with a stores employees.  I always ask the manager to inform employees incase they aren't there when I go in or if they'd like me to come in & explain before or after a shift.  

 I always go to the main desk before heading to the washroom. This way they become familiar with me. I carry a small bottle of room deodorizer from Hollister & spritz well before leaving .  

I check the toilet seat & rim for any splashing residue  I may have inadvertently left behind & clean it off using another small spritz cleaner I'd use at home.  

I dry the sink taps & area before leaving then go & thank staff for the use of the room.

Here, the public washrooms are fairly limited except at Gas Stations so often I'm been permitted to use Staff Washrooms. Something I appreciate more than they may realize. 

My Mom always said... "Pick your battles Wisely!"    I've learned over the years that If its not worth my energy I just let it go. Usually someone else will set those people straight & it doesn't have to be me, lol.

I guess you are all right. I’ll go somewhere else. The other place is so nice. They treat me good in there. I did stop to complain at the other place 

I don't see the logic?     as one with a colostomy, I wonder why you need a backpack just to drain the bag?

backpacks are not allowed in many places, large sporting and entertainment events come to mind.

you should well inspect your bag before heading to work.  one reason I like the coloplast sensura 1 piece cut to fit, i can see a leak coming a day or 2 in advance.

the store clerk is a simple low paying job, going back to confront them seems a little on the hostile side.

surely a person carrying a small kid with s diaper bag is a straight forward event compared to a person with a hidden bag.

Hi Chelly, Two things that I hope might help: 1. I have a twenty-minute drive to work and then about 10 minutes to park and get to my building. I always empty right before I leave the house; so far I have not had to stop to empty along the way. 2. I keep my very essential supplies in a small make-up bag in my purse: a folded pouch, flange, barrier ring and plastic disposal bag, along with a mini-bottle of water and a mini-bottle of M9. So, if I have to use a public restroom I am only bringing in my purse. Nobody has asked to see what is inside, but if I had to show them it would work out all right, I think.

This is all a lot to get used to, and I regularly remind myself to try to keep things as simple as possible.

LL

Hi, 

yea I have to take a back pack cuz I need that for work. With the sticky issue going on then sticky stuff would get all into my purse. Before the sticky issue I had a much smaller bag and things were much easier all around. I basically replace my work bag every week due to that as well. It’s been challenging  to say the least.