From The Desk Of Bob Mould: Sanifair

Bob Mould is a man always on the lookout for a new challenge. After Hüsker Dü (one of the most celebrated rock bands ever) folded in 1988, Mould would helm another powerful trio, Sugar, before beginning a fascinating, ongoing series of solo releases that have ranged from introspective to danceable, from melodic to nearly chaotic. The enigmatic guitar (and cultural) hero is finishing up what promises to be a fascinating memoir to be published next year and has just released a rock-solid solo disc, Life And Times. Read our new Q&A with him and earlier ones from 2008 and 2002. Mould will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all this week.

Mould: For those who do not travel by car for a living, as I have for all my adult life, the importance of a clean rest area might seem trivial. What’s the big deal, you might ask? Beyond sanitary concerns, many of us who travel in packs look forward to having a quiet moment when answering the call of nature. In the grand scheme, it’s a small request that yields great pleasure. Along the Autobahn, a cultural shift is occurring. Since the beginning of my travels upon the highways of Germany, I have been greeted at the WC entrance by the klofrau. The klofrau is the “sanitary assistant,” sitting in her chair, next to a plate of pocket change. Customers are expected to make a donation and, in return, expect a near-spotless restroom.

In the past six years, I have noticed the advent of the unattended, modern restroom facility. The main purveyor of this experience is Sanifair, which according to its company manifesto, has “turned an urgent need into a hygienic experience.” Instead of doling out loose coin to the klofrau, one pays the 50-cent fee, enters through a modern turnstile and receives a voucher that works like cash in the adjoining snack shops. Inside the gate, there lies a world of green and blue tile work, sparkling porcelain and well-stocked paper dispensers. New-age muzak and metered bursts of deodorizer fill the air, and every few minutes, a detached and clinical female voice welcomes you to Sanifair. Next time you travel in Germany, consider your options. Do you stop at any old Autobahn rasthaus, or do you wait for the corporate Sanifair experience?