A coworker once came up to me with their million dollar iPhone idea, and I had to tell her it had already been invented by George Costanza. Then we found http://www.sitorsquat.com/ after 2 minutes of Google research and she was severely disappointed.
It's funny you would say that. In my Intro to Software Engineering class my team basically built this (location-based restroom finder with ratings etc.)
You can easily find yourself in a situation that its somewhat difficult to find somewhere to pee. Most stores don't have a public places, food serving places might (but not for someone off the street) and they also might not. Most office buildings have security at the front.
I am currently in Paris and based on this city (for sure!) and actually a lot of my other international experiences: it seems to be a uniquely American idea that the public sometimes has human needs.
I say that kind of tongue in cheek, but to prevent every European from flaming me: I really am trying to understand what the alternative is that other countries are practicing. Drink less? More stamina? Or, as in Sydney: just find a convenient wall?
In Amsterdam I remember some interesting iron outdoor urinals. In Munich (I think) there were these futuristic pee-daleks that would arise from the ground at night, in one of the squares. I could be mixing up Munich and Amsterdam, it was about 10 years ago.
In Tokyo, the salaryman just pee directly on the street - in unison, while singing. In San Francisco people also pee on the street, or on the wall, or on your car, or next to the poo they left on the bike rack. NYC is a challenge, but Starbucks is usually a good bet during the daytime. At night, most bars won't notice if you just use the restroom if they are sufficiently busy (but not too busy). As far as I can tell, the entire world sucks for finding a restroom if you are a woman.
