All over the world toilets come in different shapes and sizes, if you have ever been abroad you may have been subject to some of these variations and been abit taken back by what different countries have as the normal practice when it comes to toilets. This blog will look at some of the weird and wonderful toilet etiquette from around the world!
Paying to use public toilets
The main purpose of a public toilet is to ensure that our right to privacy, dignity and hygiene is catered for. Why should you have to pay for them? You may have been a victim of this if you were in Europe or South America; it’s even started popping up around the UK at places such as train stations. Better make sure you have the right change!
Squat Toilets
You may find the idea of these quite off putting. Squatting toilets are mostly found across developing countries. They are pretty much just a hole in the ground, however if you have ever been into a really dirty bathroom and found yourself lining the seat with toilet paper or maybe even squatting over it to avoid any skin contact then what’s the difference? With these squat toilets there is no skin contact, there is also no water which means no nasty bacteria ridden splash back. Although, these toilets are insanely smelly with a lot of balance required.
We have supplied portable toilet hire to festivals and large events many times before; when we deliver the toilets they are in tip shop shape as standard. However when we collect the units it’s quite different. What would you expect though with thousands of dirty, sweaty possibly intoxicated guests using them daily? If you have been to a festival you know the challenges you face when needing the toilet.
Toilets on Travelling Vehicles
If you’re travelling, especially for a long period of time you know eventually you will need the toilet, if you’re driving somewhere you may have to hold it till you’re at the services. However if there are on-board toilets you may decide to brave it and use one. However with Swerving, speed bumps, abrupt stops, turbulence and whatever else, may be abit trickier than you think.
Don’t flush the toilet paper – put it in the bin
Some countries do not have the sewage infrastructure to handle toilet paper. You may have been on holiday where this was the case, it’s quite common in Greece. This is not the best scenario, especially if you’re away with friends!
Japan – the definitive toilet
All of the above examples relate to difficult, messy experiences with toilets. However, Japan seems to have the toilet experience figured out completely. If every toilet was like the ones in Japan, the world would be a better place. From seat warmers to buttons that create a flushing noise for the direct purpose of muting any embarrassing noises that you may cause along with many other little gadgets, what more could you want?