Potty politeness

I remember a recent discussion about the relative rudeness of going into an establishment and using the facilities without buying anything. I'd like to amend my position on that, having visited a Starbucks and asked, before I could have the restroom key, "Will you be a customer here?"

It's already bad enough to have to ask, in front of strangers, no less, for a key to a room that is usually pretty filthy anyway, and the Starbucks I visited did not have a clean bathroom! But to be asked, point blank if I intend to spend money there? You know, kinda makes me want to not spend money there.

In what other instance would a business ask you, in a rude tone, will you be spending money? I can't think of a single one. So, now, having been on the side of the coin in which I was treated like a criminal for wanting to empty my bladder, I have to throw my lot in with the others who said that using the facilities shouldn't be an issue for a place. And they should always be polite, no matter if you came in and used the toilet and left.

However, I do think that out of politeness, because the owner of the establishment shouldn't have to be the only one making nice, folks should try to make certain they're contributing to the business in some fashion. That's all.