These open-air urinals are pissing off people in Paris

How do you solve a problem like public urination?

Unlike the porta potties you might be more familiar with, these "uritrottoirs" are a bright red and located in plain sight with no privacy or enclosed area to take care of your business. Large signs also point to their presence. Finally, you can take in the Notre Dame cathedral while simultaneously relieving yourself.

Officials are happy with the outcome and played up the eco-friendly aspect, noting that the pee in the urinal is utilized as compost for parks and gardens. But not everyone is as enthused.

Some residents have written to the city's town hall in protest, saying they don't believe it's appropriate for people to be peeing in public. Others lamented how unattractive these look in the city streets, and that while in theory it's a good idea, the appearance falls short.

City officials however seem to believe this is a "genius idea" and in fact plan to open a fifth urinal next. No word on whether this will spread stateside but these are already common in cities like Amsterdam.