Archive: "Toilet Training" in Europe
What have been your experiences when negotiating the plumbing of Europe? What's the most memorable WC you've encountered? And how do you find a public restroom when sightseeing? Inquiring minds need to go!
Free toilets in Paris
Inside the Eiffel Tower on each floor, inside the Arc De Triomphe near the museum, and the CityRama Bus Co. (theirs is not marked and is behind a hall).
GA
USA 01/31/04
Italian Toilets better than China
I just got back from a two-week trip from Italy. From reading this board,
I was prepared for anything. Fortunately, I didn't face any monsters in
the bathroom. The Italian bathrooms are much better than the toilets I've
seen in China where some were simply two planks across a narrow gulley or
ravine.
Simon
Canada 01/03/04
WC Credit Card
Waiting for the boat to take us over to Venice, Italy, we had to use the
restroom. They actually had a "credit card" type of set-up, where you would
purchase a "WC Card." The perfect Christmas gift!
Brian <email>
OH USA 12/17/03
Golden Arches
McDonalds will almost always save the day! I call it "McBathrooms" When you are eating a restaurant, if they are charging for the bathroom, as long as you are eating there- they cannot. The toilet should be free, and you just have to tell them.
Most bathrooms are not actually pay toilets, it's a courtesy fee, for the cleaners. You can pay, or not pay- but if you walk out without dropping some coins- expect a dirty look and comments.
Ryan
Germany, 12/17/03
Pay Toilets
The first thing I do in a new country is buy a postcard so I will have change for any pay toilets I may encounter. Also, if you have the option of pay vs. free in the same location, it is always worth the 10 cents for the pay toilet.
USA 12/16/03
Bus Potty
I had a bad experience with Enjoy Tours on a three-country tour. The bus
toilet was filthy and the driver did not want to stop at rest areas. If
you are going to be trapped on a tour bus without a clean toilet (or any
toilet at all), remember to not eat a lot of greasy food or other things
that cause problems. Also, don't forget to take motion sickness medicine
well in advance as it needs time to work.
Bec
Ramstein, Germany 11/16/03
Toilet Tips
Always carry some toilet paper or kleenex in your pack. Also, expect to
pay to use the restrooms in Europe. It is not considered a public service
anywhere!
Jenni
USA 11/14/03
Eiffel Tower toilet
We were very surprised to find a little bathroom at the top of the Eiffel
Tower! I would love to know how much plumbing they had to put in just for
that!
Rhonna
OR USA 11/13/03
Mystery Handle
I arrived in Germany and had to go immediately but couldn't figure out how
to flush. I asked a Spanish lady, who told me. This made me feel much better
about my move to Europe with my Air Force husband. With that important need "handled," it was on to learning a new language: German! I am glad I live
in Europe.
Bec
Ramstein, Germany 11/10/03
Be Prepared
Always carry one pocket pack of Kleenex and one package of Nice'n Clean
moist wipes. They easily fit into a pocket or day bag. Good for cleaning
facilities or yourself.
George
MN USA 11/10/03
A Beacon in the Night
From the moment I stepped off the train in a European city, I always took
the time to fish out the small change needed for a rest stop. But Milan
was the most frightening experience. I had a very greasy pizza for dinner,
which did not settle well. The only toilet I could find was a hole-in-the-ground
type. I knew this was not what I would need. I went and sat and waited for
the night train to Paris, shaking with pains. Then out of the far distance:
a beacon in the night. That sign, that beautiful sign: WC! I ran to it.
It was nearing 10 pm. They wanted to close. I think I threw them all the
money I had in my pocket. It was the best five bucks I ever spent.
Earl
FL USA 11/07/03
Clean toilets
In my experience, the best toilets in all of Europe are to be found in Germany.
Exceedingly clean, very private and well stocked with necessities.
Ray <email>
Tucson, AZ USA 11/02/03
Beer Hall Men's Room
Five years ago, on my first Europe trip, I was enjoying a few liters of
beer in one of Munich's famous beer halls. Eventually, natured called
so I found my way down the stairs to the restroom area. As I opened the
Men's room door, the first thing I saw was an older woman mopping the
floor. I thought it must be closed for cleaning, so I quickly excused
myself and headed back upstairs as she gave me a puzzled look. I waited
about 20 minutes and tried again, but she was still there! I went back
up to drink some beer and waited some more.
Finally, about an hour after my first attempt, I thought I was about
to explode, so I headed back downstairs. This time, as I opened the door,
the cleaning woman was again mopping, but about 5 other guys were using
the facility. So, I figured it out, and had to laugh about the unnecessary
pain and suffering I just put myself through. In Europe, there is no great
'Taboo' about urinating while a member of the opposite sex is in the room.
Why should there be? All the guys had their backs to her. It was just
a square room were you urinate on the wall and everything runs into floor
drains. Very efficient actually, and saves a lot of water.
Tom <email>
Chicago, IL USA 10/24/03
baby wipes
I spent a month and a half in SE Asia on my own and I was a bit worried
about the facilites before I left. I thought about bringing toilet paper,
but at the last minute went for a few packs of re-sealable baby wipes. I
really recommend this, they take up almost no space and hey ... they work
on babies!
Tom Emmons <email>
Chicago, IL USA 10/22/03
Another place to find toilets: cemetaries
My friend and I took a five week trip to Europe this summer. That added
up to a lot of bathroom hunting. We often found free bathrooms at cemetaries
in Germany and sometimes in Sicily. Germans seen to spend at lot more time
gardening at their loved ones graves then most Americans do. Therefore,
there were "services" for the living at cemetaries, as well.
Natalie J. Price <email>
Butler, PA USA 10/09/03
Unisex toilets in Belgium
While visiting Belgium, I noticed most men's urinals were in view of anyone.
One pub had a ladies cubicle and a gents cubicle and 3 urinals all in the
same room, with a small board at the side of the first urinal that did not
hide anything. Some girls covered their eyes while waiting in line.
Carl
England, UK 10/08/03
BYOTP in Ireland
After spending a week traveling by car thru the west counties of Ireland,
we discovered that bringing travel toilet paper was one of our wisest moves.
Most of the gas stations we encountered, even nice mini-marts, had very
shoddy bathrooms way out back, reminiscent of American service stations
from years past. Even those bathrooms that were clean and well-kept usually
had no toilet paper. Most didn't even have an empty cardboard roll to make
it look like the TP just ran out. We found it odd that the bathroom would
be clean, have a bottle of nice hand soap and a working hand dryer, but
no TP. We don't know if this was to discourage TP theft or use of the bathroom
altogether, but found it was a similar practice no matter where we were.
Deb Smith <email>
Fort Collins, CO USA 10/04/03
Spinning Seats
From a hole in the floor, at the train station in Varenna, Italy, to the
ultra-fancy toilet in the casino at Monte Carlo in the south of France.
It has a seat that starts spinning when you’re through, then an arm
comes from the back and cleans the seat, sanitizes it and dries it. Wow!
I also went to a hospital in Rome. Its toilets had no toilet paper, no soap,
and no paper towels. This was in a hospital, mind you. So be prepared for
anything!
Ann Mitchell<email>
Bend, OR> USA 09/02/03
Toilets in Amsterdam & France
Traveling with 5 kids, 4 of them young girls, we spent an inordinate amount
of time locating restrooms! What we discovered: some Irish toilets have
to be primed to flush; the McDonald's in Amsterdam charges 30 cents per
desperate kid, but for that you get the help of a motherly lady who followed
my 4-year-old son into the men's room to barricade the entire room until
he was safely done; roadside rest areas in France are invariably of the
squat-and-aim type, except for the token "disabled" toilet, which is why
you'll always find a row of guys aiming into the trees and a line of women
waiting for the handicapped stall; French men are as matter-of-fact about
relieving themselves as their dogs are, and any wall will do, even in the
middle of the city; and by the time we got back to the States, my 6-year-old
looked in dismay at the standard American toilet in her hotel room and wailed
that she couldn't figure out how to flush it.
Tricia
Tallahassee, FL USA 08/08/03
Find a Nice Hotel
Regardless of whether you're wearing grubby clothes or carrying luggage,
you can walk right in to an upscale hotel and use their public restroom.
Just walk in like you're a guest there.
Chuck <email>
Phoenix, AZ USA 07/25/03
Don't Delay on a Train
Generally speaking, when travelling by train, you should always try to go
to the toilet maybe 1/2 hour or 15 minutes before leaving the train. It
saves you time (and a small amount of change) instead of trying to find
a bathroom in the station or, worse, outside. I'm surprised about the toilets
closing at 10 PM, but, as far as I know, automatic self-cleaning toilets
in Paris now close at night (I think, because of some delinquency issues
- prostitutes and drug dealing or something like that). Also, a little word
of warning: on many trains, don't go to the toilet when the train is in
a station - some train toilets are basically a seat above a hole going to
the railway tracks!
Bernard Marmotte <email>
Paris, France 07/17/03
No Potty Parity in the Louvre
I tried to use the ladies room when I was at the Louvre in Paris, but the
line up was very long, so I used the men's room. It took a lot of courage,
but better to use a filthy men's room toilet than wet yourself.
Megan <email>
Vancouver, BC Can 07/14/03
Squat Toilets
Ok, someone explain to me what the big deal about squat toilets is? The
flush squat toilets are not at all disgusting, and as far as I'm concerned more sanitary
than the regular ones you sit on. And yes, my
mother taught me to never sit on a public toilet. So regular or squat
toilet is no problem to me--just learn to squat, and you'll be comfortable
with either option.
USA 07/11/03
blue lights and rotating seats
Having travelled or lived in Europe for several years, with just a few exceptions
the public bathrooms here are as clean as anything you'll find in the U.S.
There are some national differences though. Switzerland - at least, the
German-speaking areas - generally has toilets that are very clean and sanitary.
Many stalls have automatic deodorants. The ultimate sanitary device is the
automatic seat cleaner - the seat rotates under a device that cleans and
disinfects it...it's quite a mesmerizing sight. Another feature of many
public toilets here, especially in the cities, is that they are lit with
a sickly blue light. This is supposed to prevent drug addicts from shooting
up in the stalls (the blue light prevents them from seeing their veins clearly
evidently. Drug abuse is a quiet yet rather serious problem here.) This
blue light may make some people feel rather nauseous and want to exit quickly
- which is probably the whole idea.
M. Wyss <email>
Zürich, ZH Switzerland 07/09/03
Toilet strategy
I too am surprised by all the talk of squat holes and filthy toilets in
Europe. In two months of travel in London, France, Germany, Czech, Italy,
Netherlands I saw squat toilets only once - in a small town Italian train
station. And the station was being renovated with new "normal" toilets
being installed. The only two disgustingly dirty toilets I recall were
in the basement of a Parisian restaurant near the Eiffel tower and in
the McDonalds near the Gare de Nord train station, also in Paris. (So
much for the maxim about McDonalds offering clean toilets everywhere.)
Everywhere else was no different than North America.
The biggest bathroom annoyance was that on my arrival at Paris's Gare de Nord at 10PM I found the bathrooms closing for the night. I still think I must have misunderstood the attendant who was locking them up and told me there were no bathrooms to be had in the station. I can't imaging a big city train station with no bathrooms, even at night. That's why I had to go across the street to McDonalds.
On a related theme, I found bathrooms to be an important strategic item of consideration in European travel. When you are rushing to get on a train, or rushing to get off of a train to get the last hotel room in town, you don't need the added stress of realizing you "have to go". The urgent need, plus the fact that you are weighted down with luggage and perhaps alone in unfamiliar surroundings, can sometimes either induce some stress, or even make a person take silly risks, like going into a bathroom in a dingy hallway in a train station at night, or being tempted to leave your luggage unattended for 'just a moment'.
I suggest you to "go early, go often, go whenever you get a convenient
chance." When you are in a relaxed situation, perhaps with a trusted person
to watch your luggage, use the bathroom. While on the train a half hour
before getting to the hectic big city train station, use the bathroom.
While you are waiting in the train station before getting on a crowded
train, use the bathroom. It is a good way to alleviate one source of travel
stress.
Larry <email>
Canada 07/01/03
I guess I was lucky!
During my 8 day stay in Italy this
past October, not once did I run into any bad restrooms. Even the public
ones were clean and decent. Sure, some didn't have rims, but all were relatively
comfortable and very clean. One thing I noticed in the hotels that are absent
from most U.S. hotels: bidets!
Kathleen <email>
Elgin, IL USA 06/24/03
Words to Live By
Women who pee on the toilet seat are a huge pet peeve of mine! Some
of the worst are middle-aged and older women (like me), whose mothers taught
them to NEVER sit on a public toilet seat. My mother-in-law had a perfect
comment for that: "If you're too much of a lady to sit on the seat, be a
gentleman and put it up."
Pat
USA 06/17/03
Squatting in Venice
I took my mother to Italy a few years ago, her first time out of the country.
After travelling around the coubtry, we took the train from Verona to Venice
and once at the train station at Venice, decided to stand in line for the
bathroom. I had heard of squat toilets before but had never seen them until
then. My mother went in ahead of me. I saw her go into one stall and then
come out with a confused look...go into another stall, and come out. Finally
she came over to me and said "I think they're remodeling, there aren't any
toilets." So I went to the last stall and found what looked like a large
shower stall with a tiled floor and a large hole in the floor. When I turned
around and saw the railing on the back of the door I knew what it was. She
refused to use it, though I did, just to say I did and I will say I now
understand why many European women wear skirts and not pants!!
Vikki <email>
NJ USA 06/10/03
Italy WCs
In general, it's smart to carry a pack of kleenex and some hand sanitizer,
just in case. The WC at the train station in Naples was filthy. What's sad
is that there was an attendant inside. Additionally, I had some isolated
WC experiences in other areas where I thought to myself, "Just exactly what
were they aiming for?" or, "Is that someone's idea of life imitating art
[on the walls]?"
LWC <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 06/07/03
Toilets in Spain
We traveled through Northern Spain with our former exchange student, so
we had a guide to help us with the differences. Unlike the U.S., small restaurant
and shop owners in Spain don't mind if one comes in off the street to use
the facilities without otherwise being a customer. My most difficult situation
was the use of a toilet in Oviedo. It had a timed switch which went off
in about 8 seconds. I had to use one hand to keep punching the switch and
the other hand for everything else.
Trey <email>
Placerville, CA USA 06/07/03
restrooms
The best loo was in Sisterone, France. The public toilets were squats and
packed with people, so we walked around the square and found a little cafe
that was cool and empty, except for the owners. We ordered cokes with ice
and had lovely clean restrooms. The best $3 I ever spent in France.
dee <email>
tn USA 05/26/03
Gender-neutral toilets
Europe is not for the bladder-shy. For one, Europeans aren't as hung up
about the separate bathrooms as the Americans. It is not uncommon to see
the more liberal-thinking European women (Scandinavian, German, etc.)
use the men's room, if the line is too long in the ladies', for instance.
I've done it myself on occasion (I always follow other women, though...
probably not progressive enough to do it on my own). The key is the right
attitude: walk in as if you owned the place, right past all the men at
the urinals and into a cabin (wave at the men, if you'd like). None of
the men ever seem to mind.
On the flip side, I remember a funny experience in a trattoria in Rome.
At the bottom of the stairs, there were three tiny rooms there; one was
marked 'men's', the other 'ladies'', and the third one was unmarked. Both
the men's and the unmarked room were empty, with the doors open. In the
ladies room, on the other hand, there was a man (an employee of the trattoria)
peeing with the door wide open, of course. Still don't know why, of the
three empty toilets, he had to pick the ladies' (or why he didn't lock
the door, for that matter).
USA 05/24/03
toilets in Paris
In the old days, you would have free urinals in the street (in small shelters).
The problem is that they used to get filthy quickly. The current automatic
toilets are automatically cleaned and desinfected. Unfortunately, apparently
they were popular with prostitutes and even drug dealers and addicts for
discreet "business deals", which is I think the reason why many are closed
at night. Toilettes "à la Turque" (Turkish-style squat holes with places
to put the feet) have been mostly phased out. They used to be very popular
for building managers, I think because they are easily cleaned. They were
unpopular with the rest of the people, especially women.
marmotte <email>
Paris, France 04/17/03
bathroom
I go to McDonald's or a major department store in all european countries.
I've never had a bad experience. I usually tip the attendant something.
amy <email>
houston, tx USA 04/14/03
Toilets
In some toilet stalls in Italy, I found I cute little machine with disinfectant!
You just put a couple of squirts on some toilet paper and use it to wipe
the toilet. But don't think of using it for personal hygeine!
Adrienne <email>
San Francisco, CA USA 03/28/03
Bad Restrooms in Italy
After traveling in Italy the past year, I have learned the restrooms here
are the pits. Usually there is no toilet seat, so women have to squat, and
even when there is a seat, it usually is wet. It is especially difficult
for little girls, I have to hold my daughter while she goes, so she doesn't
touch the filthy toilets. I have learned to always have Kleenex, hand wipes
and a little change for the attendant who expects something.
Stephanie <email>
Naples, Italy 03/27/03
Urinals on TV
There is a public bathroom in the Amsterdam train station near a cafeteria.
I was in line with both men and women. As I handed the toilet guy my 40
eurocents, I couldn't help but notice that the men's urinals were being
displayed on a TV screen above his head. The only private toilet stall was
being used by someone who by the sounds of things was not going to be relinquishing
his throne for some time, so I suffered a severe case of stage/camera fright
and sucked up the loss of my 40 eurocents.
Matthew <email>
Florence, MA USA 03/14/03
Spanish bathrooms
I spent about six weeks traveling all over Spain and rarely found a toilet
in complete working order. Often there's no toilet paper (the Spanish seem
to think toilet paper is made of gold and they don't like giving it up),
or maybe no seat, just a porcelain bowl. Perhaps there's no soap or there's
no running water in the sink. Sometimes the electric hand-drier is out of
order or there are no paper towels. But the absolute best is when the light
bulb is burned out. That's when that small flashlight you packed comes in
handy.
Patrick <email>
New York City, NY USA 03/07/03
Toilet Toilet Training
In Amsterdam, on the top floor of the Magna Plaza shopping mall, there is
a womens restroom, which costs to use. However, the view from the sink is
worth every cent, even if you don't need to go.
Holly Cooper
Aloha, Or USA 03/02/03
Little tip on WCs
Before you go, make sure you have some change in the local currency. The
line at the train station Burger King is very long when you are trying to
purchase a drink so you can get change to use the pay toilets. I discovered
this right after I got into London!
Amanda F. <email>
Clayton, MO USA 02/26/03
Best Public Toilets
The most beautiful public restroom I saw was in Verona, Italy, under the
street and the Piazza Bra. Beautiful with marble and walnut!
LoisCris <email>
Seattle, WA USA 02/24/03
Harrods' toilet now free
I noticed the warning below that Harrods charges £1 for their facilities.
True, but they were luxurious. I visited before Christmas and was pleasantly
surprised to note that they are now free (but just as nice).
Don S <email>
London, UK 01/24/03
Ouch!
My brother had a scrap of European toilet paper from his school year there
in the late 70s. It had a wood splinter running all the way across its four-inch
width. We take so much for granted...
Paul
USA 01/15/03
train toilets
The high quality trains like the German ICE trains, Danish IC-3 trains,
French TGV trains, and the Swiss IC/IR double-decker trains have closed
sewage systems, similar to those on airplanes. And they pose a common problem
whether in first or second class. People travelling on trains don't seem
to know where the electronic flush button is located. Many times I end up
pushing it before starting to use it. And take the instruction *very seriously*
not to put any garbage down the toilet.
Josh Hanz <email>
Foster City, CA USA 11/23/02
Squat Toilets
The squatting position is
much healthier for your body. There's plenty of info about the benefits
of squat toilets on the internet. Also, it is better in my opinion not having
to worry about a dirty toilet seat. In homes that use squat toilets, there
is generally a pair of shoes you wear only into the bathroom which solves
the "dirty shoe" issue. But in public places, you simply have to figure
that dirty shoes are better than a dirty toilet seat. Carry wet ones & paper
and use squat toilets ... it's better for you by far!
Deborah Carvalho <email>
Portland, OR USA 11/18/02
Toilets can be a fun part of your trip!
All toilets are not built alike...this can be a great part of your European
experience. In the five weeks my wife and I spent on the continent, we discovered
many new and interesting toilets. Besides the quite standard "squatting" model, we were often met by self-cleaning models (at the flush an arm would
extend and the toilet seat would rotate one cycle while it was sanitized)
and models with various flush levels (depending on your analysis of how
much water was needed). And for those who want to take this to a whole nother
level - there is a toilet museum in Gmunden, Austria that is a must!
Don Clarke <email>
Eugene, OR USA 10/27/02
Near Eiffel Tower
For clean, free toilets near the Eiffel Tower, head toward the Bir-Hakim
metro station. Just before you get there, stop in the Japanese cultural
center. Not only are the bathrooms clean and free, but they have a nice
little gift shop with Japanese items to browse through.
USA 10/22/02
Comparing Prices
I love it how euro now makes it easy to compare even toilet prices.
For instance, I now know that Dutch public toilets (on average 20-25 eurocents)
are less expensive than those in neighboring Belgium (30-35 eurocents on
average). Not that I suggest taking your business across the border...
USA 10/16/02
Bathroom Prison
We got used to timing our day so that we would be near a department store
or cafe when we needed a bathroom. In Paris, we entered the Samaritain (department
store) for this purpose. It was hot and humid and the stalls were small
with floor to ceiling doors and walls. When it came time to exit, I could
not open the door. I jiggled first gently then aggressively. I turned the
knob one way and then the other. Finally, an American voice said, ever so
calmly, "I hear you and I already spoke to the clerk. She is calling someone
to help."
I asked for verification as to which way the knob should face for the
open position, not wanting to be embarrased by workers who might come
and simply turn the knob. It seemed like a very long wait. Then, the same
voice said, "I must go now." I really felt like screaming, "No, please
do not leave me here alone." Instead, I said "OK thank you for your help."
Shortly thereafter, I heard tools on the otherside of the door. Two janitors
removed the door. I walked out, head high, saying, "Merci."
Nancy <email>
glendora, ca USA 09/07/02
Toilet Antics
I had experienced many toilet "adventures" throughout my travels in Europe,
ranging from the flushing question (do I pull, push, kick the button, handle,cord),
to angry grandmotherly cleaning ladies yelling in various languages and
coming up with proper coinage to use the facilities in the first place.
But my trip to India topped all of the crazy, hillarious, vile adventures
in peeing I have ever experienced.
While traveling on a train from Delhi to Agra, I found it necessary to
use the facilities. The "facilities" were a metal hole in the bottom of
the train, so as you did your business you could watch the scenery from
a very unique perspective. Squatting on a slippery floor (you can guess
why it was slippery) on a moving train will always be an accomplishment
to me! I found the Indian male solution to this problem rather amusing:
just stand in the doorway when the train stops and take care of business.
rebecca <email>
minneapolis, mn USA 09/02/02
Westminister Tube Toilets
Finding a toilet in London can be tough. Not all Tube stations have toilets,
but the Westminster Tube Station has free toilets!
Marcia <email>
Spokane, WA USA 08/29/02
Versailles WC
When you visit Versailles, DO NOT go into the free WC in the gardens! (It's
adjacent to the cafe, shaped like a log cabin, on your left side as you
walk down towards the canal and away from the palace.) According to my husband,
the men's side has no urinals -- just one stall -- so all the men were peeing
on the floor. And he said he didn't see any drainage system, so the urine
was all over the place. I was wondering why there was "water" on the floor
when I walked in! (The women's side is located in the same little space,
separated by a wall.) Even though you have to pay to use the WC's inside
the palace, it is a much better alternative than walking all over that horrible
floor. Thank goodness I wasn't wearing sandals!
Erica Hovile
San Jose, CA USA 08/22/02
Highway toilets the same as here
Toilets in europe, except France, were much like the US. We traveled the
highways in all the countries and found they had service centers with gas,
food and toilets. Just like here, they had extremes in cleanliness. We had
bought four rolls of toilet paper just in case but after three weeks, we
never opened them.
Chamonix, France at the cable car parking lot for Mt. Blanc is the only
place we saw the squat toilets. I thought we were very fortunate not to
see more of them. Venice had miniature toilets in the restaurants where
we ate. That was almost the same as squat and hold on! Also the restrooms
were usually dirty near places of construction and large crowded areas.
Make sure you have lots of change for the attendants at the nice facilities.
They won't let you in at the one in Brugge, Belgium if you do not pay
first!
Doug <email>
Youngsville, NC USA 08/05/02
Toilet tips
1. Bring your own toilet paper
2. Always hoard your small change for the mandatory "tip"
3. Watch out for the hole in the ground toilet type. It requires
good aim
Barry <email>
Edmonton, AB Canada 07/22/02
Paris automatic toilets
After the bombings in France in 1995, most of these were closed. (One of
the bombs had been left in one.) Some time after that, they were open during
the day only. Now they are closed pretty much all the time. I think the
theory is that once they figure out a way to ensure security, they will
be reopened.
Louie
FR 07/19/02
Toilets
In London, if you try to enter a toilet at Harrods Department Store without
a store receipt, they will charge you approximately $2 (US) to use the
toilet. Buy an overpriced souvenir before entering.
Linda
Pittsburgh , PA USA 07/17/02
Parisian Automated Toilets
Just returned from an excursion that included 5 days in Paris. During the
entire time I was there, it seemed every automatic toilet was out of service.
At first, I thought it was due to the Euro conversion, but even those machines
modified to accept Euro coins seemed out of service.
Andy
Fort Worth, TX USA 07/16/02
WC with a View
Most unusual bathroom in Europe: the ladies room for the rooftop bar
at Hotel Torni in Helsinki. As you sit, you look out on a panoramic window
view of the entire city - and it's clean too! Another favorite: Stockholm's
free-standing public coin-operated WC's. They're surprisingly clean. Just
make sure you always have some 5-kronor coins!
Rosemary D. <email>
Northbrook, IL USA 07/13/02
London public toilets
The last time I was in London (1998) I found a very nice underground public
toilet in Temple Bar near the Courts of Justice and Twinings tea. Remembering "fragrant" public toilets from my early childhood in England I braced myself
as I descended below street level, but was pleasantly surprised to find
a spotless free facility with old fashioned pay weigh scales, music piped
in, and ladies in 1920's fashion painted on random wall tiles. Ooh la la!
My London uncle later informed me that this may have been the result
of a recent competition to clean up public toilets with prizes for the
best makeover.
S <email>
Halifax, NS CAN 07/10/02
Restrooms and Showers
My wife and I used the "MaCleans" restroom and shower in the basement of
the Paris Gare Du Nord station after an overnight rail journey from Nice.
We were impressed with how clean everything was. It was a great way to get
refreshed for a day of sightseeing.
SPM and LAS
Phoenix , AZ USA 07/09/02
Don't Leave Home Without 'em
Carry TP and individually wrapped anti-bacterial wipes with you at all times.
I bring TP in my suitcase with me and make sure that I have some before
I set out each day. The wipes are also great for picnics and for wiping
off pigeon doo-doo!
D <email>
KS USA 07/05/02
Goin' Potty
Next time you are on the A-9 just outside of Munich - Northbound - stop
at the rest area (at least the lady's room). The toilet seats are self cleaning.
At first I thought I was seeing things when the seat started swiveling around,
( it was hot and we just came from the Oktoberfest) but then I realized
it was cleaning itself. Thankfully it wasn't swiveling when I was using
it!
And the next time you are en route to Paris and you have to go...hold
it or find a field with bushes. We stopped at a rest area just 20 minutes
outside the city - and although I had to really really go - I decided
I'd risk the Paris traffic and wait. I wasn't sure whether it was a shower
basin or a foot massager. I don't even think it was the flushing kind.
Don't try the Munich U-Bahn WC's either. Better find a Micky D's as someone
else mentioned.
Mich <email>
CA USA 07/01/02
pay toilets
in seventeen trips to europe and the mediterranean, i have seen most varieties
of toilets. i usually opt for the mcdonalds if possible, i always buy something
to drink to pay for it.
on my first trip abroad, at the end of a long day i was returning to
the town i was staying in, penrith, in the north of england. i really
really had to go. i should have gone on the train but the urge struck
me just as i was getting off the car, i did not want to wind up an hour
down the line because i was in the train wc. so i got off the train, looked
for the toilet in the station. it was a pay toilet, it cost two pence,
you had to have that exact coin. i was about to kick in the door when
i found one. so i always carry a two pence coin in england in memory of
that day.
robert <email>
nashville, tn USA 06/30/02
Sitting in Paris
The BEST public toilet I have found anywhere is on the corner of Rue St.
Jacques and Bd. St. Germain, across the street from McDonald's. It's spotless
and I've never seen more than one other person in there. And, let's face
it Ugly Americans, some of the most disgusting public toilets are right
here in the good ol' USA. Just check out most any gas station or big city
fast food place, and you'll wish for the cleaner public john's in Europe.
Tad
Los Angeles, ca USA 06/28/02
Toilet Tips
I agree about nice hotels. Walk into the lobby with a big smile and just
saunter into the facilities. The other good spot: department stores, though
you might have to wait in line at times (thank goodness for the Corte Ingles
on Puerta del Sol).
Finally, don't forget the trains. Head right for the toilets in the
first class cars. They are usually the cleanest and best appointed. Just
don't do it in a way that makes the conductor think you're dodging him
for the ticket.
Chip Cooper <email>
GA USA 06/23/02
Berlin Pay Toilets
My wife and I recently returned from Berlin. The Zoo Station has an excellent
pay toilet service. Since Zoo station is at the intersection of major U-Bahn
and S-Bahn lines it was always convenient to return to the station for a
guaranteed clean bathroom.
Derek
Tulsa, OK USA 06/20/02
Don't Look Too Closely
Personally, I think the most valuable item you can have for a more
pleasant public bathroom experience are dark sunglasses. Some toliets
in Europe (or even in the US), particularly in parks and museums, can be
pretty sickening looking. My friends and I found that by wearing sunglasses
in less-than-clean loos at least helps you mentally cope with your environment
for the few minutes you have to be there. You can hardly see a thing, but
can see enough to find the toliet paper, soap and flush.
Alisa <email>
Orlando, FL USA 06/13/02
Paris pottie breaks
After a week in Paris, I can only echo the advice to "Never miss an
opportunity." This goes double for women. And be prepared to wait in long
lines because there is no such thing as "potty parity" in France. At most,
it's a two-holer in the lady's room, so the line forms early. Versailles
and the Musee d'Orsay had the longest lines. I saw several women use the
men's room.
Also, I never go anywhere without a package of "travel toilet paper"
in my purse. It consists of a small roll of TP without the center roll,
and comes in a folding plastic dispenser. I found it at Target.
Sally
USA 06/06/02
Worst toilets
Granted, this was a few years ago but the toilet at the Prague train station
was a nightmare. First there was the usual lady at a desk charging the equivalent
of 8 cents for 1 piece of toilet paper. Wasn't sure why she bothered. Then
you go in and the floor is wet, a lone 40W bulb hangs from the ceiling and
the sinks are operated from chains hanging from the ceiling. Then you get
in to where the stalls are. They are squatters, which don't bother me, but
it's so filthy!
USA 06/04/02
San Gimignano
Women be sure to wear a skirt and no stockings in San Gimignano. The potties
are ceramic holes in the floor that flush. Wearing slacks is a major problem
unless you're very athletic.
Adrienne
05/30/02
first class toilets
Walk into a nice, large hotel, smile and greet the doorman and walk in like
you are a guest - don't try this if you look too scruffy. Four star hotels
have the nicest public bathrooms and I have never been questioned as to
whether I was really a quest. My favorite is the London County Hall Marriott
right on the Thames and Westminster Bridge. Walk through the front door
and hang a right. Mahagony stalls, Moulton Brown soaps and lotions and real
towels. Great place to freshen up. I have paid to use the fancy toilet at
Harrods and this is way nicer for free.
Gary
Hanford, CA USA 05/17/02
Toilet of Modern Art
Check out the "Toilet of Modern Art" in Vienna. It's in a small shopping
complex across from the Hundertwasser Haus. You must pay a small fee for
this entertainment, but if you have to use the facilities anyway...
dp
USA 05/05/02
German toilet
The best toilet I have seen in Europe (outside of a charming hotel in Prague)
was in a bathroom in Nueberg, Germany in Bavaria. The toilet (after being
flushed) cleans it's own seat. AFter the flushing the seatlifts up a smidge,
then turns clockwise in a complete 360. As it comes to the back of the toilet,
it goes through a little "toilet seat car wash" and it comes back to the
front clean, dry and disinfected. I was so impressed that
my dinner companions had to hear all about it. Only wish I had my camera.
Philly, PA USA 05/04/02
Rodin Museum, Paris
The cleanest public bathroom I found in Europe was in the garden of the
Rodin Museum. It was free and had an attendant and disinfecting gel. It
only costs about fifty cents to enter the garden of the museum, and that
is where most of the great statues are anyway. If you go there visit the
WC.
ft worth, tx USA 04/30/02
Don't Forget the TP
I take toilet paper everywhere. And when stopping in a restaurant/cafe,
I check out the toilets before ordering. If they aren't clean, or if they
are those horrid holes in the floor type, I take my business elsewhere.
That is a clear indication of how they feel about the patrons who keep them
in business and there's too much competition for me to settle for that!
Carol
CA USA 04/24/02
Tinkling in Turkey
The best toilets we were in in Turkey were at the Galata Tower in Istanbul.
Not only were they clean, but you have a lovely view over most of Istanbul
while you do your business!!(In the Ladies', anyway.) The worst were at
the top of the Uludag mountain in Bursa, basically a stinking hole in the
middle of a pile of rubble, literally. I believe the Swissotel in Istanbul
has quite luxurious bathrooms too. haven't "been" there myself!! Happy travels!
SM <email>
Vancouver, Canada 04/23/02
Greece
Some of you are probably already aware of this, but, in Greece [or Turkey],
you cannot flush the toilet paper. Instead, they go into a separate bin
next to the bowl. If you accidentally throw it into the bowl, flush at least
several times, unless you want the whole thing to blow up on you.
YB <email>
New York, NY USA 04/23/02
Toilet paper
My favorite wax toiletpaper was in Colchester, England. On the paper was
printed "Property of Colchester". That still didn't frighten me from ripping
off a strip to paste in my scrapbook!
Karen
USA 04/20/02
Pay toilets in Holland
In Holland, quite a number of the public toilets are pay toilets. The standard
price seems to be 20 euro cents. Exact change required, so be sure you have
enough of these coins in your wallet.
Elisabeth Evans <email>
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania USA 04/19/02
Toilet Tips
After two glorious months in Europe and subsequent visits to In-laws in
London, I've encountered just about every toilet set up imaginable (and
unimaginable). It's part of the adventure. Being 5'4", I actually prefer
the "Turkish squat holes" to the tall, Italian, seatless toilets (too tall
to squat over,too gross to sit on). Baby wipes, feminine wipes and/or tissues
are a must. When my father-in-law took us to the sight of the Battle of
Hastings, the public bathroom had what could only be described as wax paper
on a roll. Luckily, I had some tissue in my purse, but I ripped off some
of the strange paper and put it in my pocket. I knew the folks back home
wouldn't believe me when I tried to describe this stuff. While travelling
(especially in hostels) you hear alot of people say that they can't wait
to get back to their own bed. That was never an issue for me, but I sure
couldn't wait to get back to my own toilet.
Michelle <email>
Chicago, IL USA 04/17/02
Public Toilets, Tuscany
I just returned from a week in Tuscany. Thank goodness I remembered to put
toilet paper in the car. We only found one clean public toilet in all the
villages we visited - in Siena, at the base of the escalator hill. The one
in Pienza was so disgusting my husband wouldn't let me in to look, let alone
try to use it. Plan on stopping for coffee or whatever in a restaurant or
cafe, and use the toilet.
Genie Hughes <email>
Grafenwoehr, Bavaria Germany 04/11/02
Turkish toilets in France
Those so-called squat toilets to be found in France are called Turkish toilets
by writer Peter Mayle ("A Year in Provence"). Biggest challenge, after squatting,
may be the flushing. Some of them have high-powered faucets that will soak
you from ankles down. Flush and run. Or, as many defensive flushers do,
don't flush at all. It's always a good idea to carry a roll of TP.
Tom McClelland <email>
Rocklin, CA USA 04/10/02
squatting in Paris
I was surprised to find that some restaurants in Paris have both flush &
squat toilets. Saw them at various inexpensive cafes scattered around the
city. I've been to Asia & expected it there, but not in France. They were
clean, & everywhere I saw them, there was both a flush stall & a squat one,
so you could take your pick. Also, if you're driving thru France, roadside
toilets never have paper, so BYO.
USA 04/04/02
Turkish Toilets
I think that one is expected to simply squat over the hole and let gravity
do the rest. The condition of the walls in most of these bathrooms is less
than pristine, IME. However, if it means holding/leaning on a wall or falling
in, I'd lean any day!
Kathy N'V <email>
Boston, MA USA 03/25/02
Funky but fun
I've been to Europe many times, and I've
seen many different toilets. Most of the time, it's unfamiliar, but
if you think about it, all the different facilities are often far more sensible
than the water-wasters all over the US. They also provide a way to exercise
your brain as you figure out how the darned thing works! I was traveling
with my eight year old daughter when we first encountered
one of those "hole in the floor with painted footprint" toilets. It even
had a rope to hold onto! Later we were told that the rope was a luxury!
Fortunately, there was also a more familiar toilet in a stall nearby (I
confess we wimped out). I always carry tissues, wet wipes and hand cleansing gel
with me when we travel, along with change for the attendant. Once we took photos of all the different types of toilets we encountered.
That's one photo album we choose to keep to ourselves! Keep an open mind,
balance carefully, and remember, if you wanted everything the same as at
home, you should have stayed at home!
Kathy N-V <email>
Boston, MA USA 03/08/02
Airline toilet problem
From the CNN/Europe web site--too good to leave out: "OSLO, Norway -- A
female passenger on a Scandanavian Airways flight has filed a complaint
to the airline after she was stuck to the plane's toilet for two hours.
The passenger, an American who did not wish to be identified, apparently
flushed the toilet before she got up and was held fast to the seat by its
powerful vacuum system. The woman filed the complaint after her ordeal on
a Boeing 767 flight last year, the Norwegian VerdensGang newspaper reported
on its Web site. It was only after the plane touched down in New York that
the woman was able to be freed, the report said. "She could not get up by
herself and had to sit on the toilet until the flight had landed so that
ground technicians could help her get loose," a Scandinavian Airways official
told Reuters news agency. "She was stuck there for quite a long time.""
Mary from Oregon
USA 01/22/02
Restroom locations
Some restrooms in the fast food restaurants require a code. The restaurants
give you a restroom code on the receipt when you purchase an item. I visited
a local fast food restaurant. I waited in line and when the person came
out I quickly went in to avoid have to enter a code. Another valuable location
for relief is a department store.
Frank <email>
Houston, TX USA 01/22/02
Croatian sensations
I just got back from a late summer trip down the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.
The WC's in almost all of the pensions, tavernas, restaurants and even the
public ones were spanking clean. As well, if nature calls while you are
sightseeing, and you can't find a public WC, walking smartly and strongly
into a restaurant, asking for the WC worked every time! I can't recommend
the Dalmatian coast enough!
JCB
Seattle, USA 01/16/02
London Loo to Avoid
The worst toilet is in the waterfront cafe in the Barbican Center in London.
The urinals on the first floor were leaking onto the urinals on the ground
floor. Smelled like something out of a zoo.
Tom <email>
St. Louis, MO USA 01/03/02
Public urinals in Amsterdam
When I was in Amsterdam there were these curious looking green upright cyliners
on the street corners. They were the size of phone booths, the green metal
was completely perforated making the metal almost transparent. There were
no doors. There was basically a 3 foot space between the 2 ends. If you
were looking at one from above, it would basically look like a green letter "C" where one of the ends is kind of longer than the other and come "out
more". Well, I would see men walk in there but was unsure of what it was,
well one day I looked closely, and out from the opening where the man was
standing (I could only see his back) a yellow liquid was running out. (Plus
the sound of hte stream tipped me off) Well I went into one later on, there
was NO HOLE. Basically the edge of the walls where you placed your feet
had a raised curb to stand on, and the P would have to run out. Pretty grotty
stuff, huh?
Anu <email>
USA 01/01/02
Wee Swiss Toilet
You never know what you're going to find especially if you are staying at
lower end motels as I did. I had a tiny "cell" of a room in Interlaken.
But the people were nice, the view great, and the price terrific. However,
the toilet and shower were something else. The toilet and sink down the
hall (of course) was so small I finally measured it - 24 by 32 - inches!
Ha! When you used the toilet the sink was literally in your chest. It was
hysterical.
Dodie <email>
USA 12/22/01
Don't forget Kleenex pocket packs!
The pay toilets (servicios) in Termini station in Rome are worth the price.
There is an attendant there who will give you the correct change to pass
through the turnstile. One thing though...if you are arriving by train later
at night, best to use the toilet on the train, because the pay toilet in
the station is not open 24 hours a day!
Another tip, especially for ladies, is to always carry a Kleenex pocket
pack (they are called fazzoletti and you can buy them in the drug stores
or supermarkets) since many free public toilets lack toilet paper. For
your hotel, you may want to pack a roll or two of your favorite toilet
paper, since even 3 star hotels we were at had rather rough toilet paper.
Maria <email>
Jackson, TN USA 11/25/01
Boat washrooms in Paris
On a sightseeing boat cruise of the Seine in Paris I was expecting the worst
of the washrooms, having heard about "squatting holes" in France, but was
pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness, lots of toilet paper, soap and
paper towels. C'est bon!
Marilyn <email>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada, US 11/24/01
Website Just for Women
Check out www.restrooms.org/standing.html. It's not a joke, but teaches
women how to pee standing up!
USA 11/23/01
Money well spent...
In Italy -- the pay toilets are the cleanest -- and money well spent. By
comparison, I went into a fast food bathroom and was appalled. The pay toilets
are the equivalent of about .50 US -- worth it in my book.
Shellee <email>
Rochester, NY USA 11/09/01
Pay Toilets in Paris
Those pay toilets on the streets in Paris aren't too bad and came in very
handy when we were there this summer. One time we only had enough change
for one of us, so after my husband was done, I jumped in the door before
it closed behind him. As I was looking around, wondering how they kept it
so clean, I realized it looked like the whole place had been sprayed down
with disinfectant. I started to panic that it would start to spray with
me in there not knowing I had jumped in behind someone else! You never saw
someone do their business and get out more quickly than I did!
Renee
CO USA 10/25/01
Bathroom Emergency!
My husband and I travel over to Europe and Asia pretty frequently.
This time I told my husband that if he wanted to bring 20 pairs of underwear
he would be carrying it as well. So he decided he would bring less and do
laundry (hmmm). So there we were in Venice. I am lying in bed listening
to my man scrub away and in the background I hear an alarm going off.
Soon a knock on the door and a man yelling we were ok. I said
yes and thought he was so strange. I am still hearing the alarm. I walk
in to check on my sweetie and there he was using the emergency pull cord
to hang his voluminous laundry. Apparently when "MacGuyver" was rigging his laundry
line and hanging his delicates, he ended up alerting the whole hotel. I just
about passed out laughing. The picture of it is being developed and will
surely require framing!
Shannan <email>
Keys, FL USA 10/24/01
Toilet lady at Lausanne Train Sta. is Crappy!
We just got back from Europe and swung through Lausanne on the way to Paris.
On the way out my husband hit the bathrooms at the train station fearing
what he might encounter on the train. He had a snarly encounter with the
coin lady. He tried to put his money into the stall, but it was not working.
He went up to the lady and asked her if she could possible open it, but
she said in English that he was putting the wrong coins in and then in German
to herself that he was a real idiot American trying to use French coins
(which he laughed off). He tried to tell her he did not have the wrong change
nor was he using French coins and he really needed to use a toilet. So she
grabbed his hand angrily and pointed to a coin and screamed "French" right
in his face. He calmly turned the coin over to reveal the cross and "Helvitica".
She fumed and let him in the stall but when he (already in dispose) asked
her for toilet paper she had apparently gone deaf. People were throwing
him paper over the stalls after a little begging. He came back to me, grabbed
his camera, went back and took her picture with a cigarette hanging out
the side of her scowling mouth. Americans and French are not the only ugly
ones it seems! A footnote: The toilet on the train From Lausanne SW to Paris
is both extra roomy, quite airy and very clean... a nice surprise!
Shannan <email>
Keys, FL USA 10/24/01
Toilette Tips
Considering the topic of this board you might find this
website interesting: www.thebathroomdiaries.com. It rates bathrooms
all over the world and tells you where you can find good ones.
Adrienne <email>
NY, NY USA 09/18/01
Chinese toilets
Human waste products are filthy, and therefore, the Chinese feel the disposal
of these should take place in a filthy room. We were informed of this in
Beijing by our local guide. Bring your own paper, and ladies, wear skirts
and avoid underwear, because often you will be squatting over a hole. A
wet, scented cloth placed over the nose throughout the whole experience
will alleviate some repugnance throughout the ordeal. Hopefully, with the
upcoming 2008 Olympics, the Chinese will raise the standards somewhat.
marcia krisher <email>
toledo, oh USA 09/14/01
European Toilets Not That Bad
My experience overall is that European public toliets are cleaner
than American ones. I've only experienced the hole-in-the-floor in southern
Spain and there was a regular one next to it if you prefered. Italy had
a lot of seatless toliets but they were still clean. I was pleasantly
surprised that even the grottiest looking gas stations along the motorway
in central Spain had spotless loos.
I'd rate London's public toliets the worst, though the McD's in Leicester
Square has really spruced theirs up nicely. Personally, the worst toliet
I've ever seen was in Connecticut. (If you've seen Trainspotting, you'll
get an idea of how bad it was.) So I think Americans shouldn't feel particularly
intimidated by public toliets in Europe. You stand just as good of a chance
of being mortified here at home.
USA 09/09/01
"Going to the Bush"
In the South Pacific, using the potty is not called going to the restroom.
It's called going to the bush, because that is all they have. The whole
island wakes up in the morning and retreats to the bushes at the water's
edge. What a treat to travel to Europe with holes in the floor and stall
doors and sides that go all the way to the floor. I love them!
Joni <email>
El Dorado Hills, CA USA 09/07/01
Scotland & Ireland
If you are planning to travel in Scotland or Ireland, rest assured
you will not have far to go to find restrooms. We found public restrooms
all over the countryside and they were always clean with towels (or more
often hand dryers) and soap. We did make a game out of trying to locate
two showers that operated the same and have concluded that there is no such
thing...and we always had hot water!
Dawn
MN USA 09/01/01
Figure Out the Locks
One thing that I found out the hard way is that the locks in some restrooms
are different than the ones here in the U.S. When in Germany, I thought
I had the stall locked, and a lady walked in on me and started chastizing
me in German.
Another bit of culture shock was the toilet seats in a gas station just over the Spanish border in southern France. Talk about uncomfortable! You had to hold your arms out at your sides and try to keep your balance because they were so narrow.
The last and biggest bit of culture shock for me was in a restroom in
a resturant in central Madrid. The was one toilet in an enclosed stall,
a urinal, and a hole in the floor. I got out of there ASAP.
Rebecca
Elkhart, IN USA 08/26/01
Worst Train Facilities
If anyone has the bad sense, as we did, to take the train from Bucharest
to Istanbul, I wish to forewarn you that the train restrooms look as though
they were last cleaned perhaps in the '20's, and literally made me gag.
Also, the train station in Bucharest had some of the worst bathrooms I've
ever experienced, and I've been all over europe.
kristi
greensboro, NC USA 08/21/01
Atop St. Peter's Dome
The most surrealistic moment I've ever had when experiencing Europe's
WCs was in 1983. While eurailing/backpacking with parents as a teenager,
we visited St Peter's Basilica in Rome. We climbed to the roof where the
huge statues reside, but nature began desperately calling to us. Fortunately,
alongside the dome were WC facilities. It was the flushing hole with footprints
on the side type! My mother & I could not stop laughing and making jokes
about the whole (no pun intended) situation. We had been overnighting it
on trains for about 8 nights straight and the three of us just could not
stop making jokes about the "high" quality of the toilets above the holiest
site in Rome! We could only speculate on how the drainage worked. There
were no visible pipes emerging from the building or sides of the roof. I'm
not sure if the humour can translate over the years & through the internet,
but I still have to hold it in when I think of this "top of the world" facility.
Sara <email>
08/20/01
Lausanne
My family and I just went on a 3 week trip around Europe and the worst
bathroom that I could remember is just the nice little hole in the floor...and
it was in Lausanne, switzerland..which is a really nice city..but i don't
recommend using the toilets in the train station there...quite an experience..we
even took pics for our friends.
Nicole <email>
Brush Prairie, WA USA 08/19/01
Automatique in France
We were acquainted with the "squat over the hole" toilets of Greece and
Italy, but encountered a new creature on the beaches of Cote d'Azur, France.
The public toilets resemble phone booths or Johnny-on-the-spots, with no
apparent door. If the light on the side is green you may insert money, a
door on one ends slides open and you may enter the toilet. The door will
close behind you. Once you are ready to exit and have flushed the toilet
you can push a button to open the door, but as soon as you step out the
door closes behind you. The next person in line cannot insert money until
the interior is sprayed and disinfected and the little light turns green
again. Yes, it beats some of the dirty toilets I've seen, but you would
not believe how long it takes to work through a line of 5 people! Since
they are co-ed the men get a taste of what it's like to have to wait in
line.
Bonnie Knauss <email>
Liberty, MO USA 08/14/01
Bussing across Greece
I agree with the guy about the toilet in the train station in prague.
That was like stepping into a Dali painting ..surreal..But there is nothing
compared to taking a bus across mainland Greece from Athens to Thessaloniki
and stopping at bus stations in the country side....take your rubber boots...
guy waslh <email>
sacramento, ca USA 08/13/01
Italian Creativity
Only real confusing use of toilets for me in Europe happened in Italy.
Apparently, the Italians have a thing for toilet gadgetry. If yours does
not have an American-style flusher, I would look in this order: 1. See
if there is a string above the toilet. 2. Look on wall for a lever, button
or panel to push. 3. Look on floor for a pedal. 4. Feel behind toilet
tank for a button.
Italians
must think bathrooms are hazardous places. In each of our Italian hotel rooms,
there were strings over the bathtubs and/or toilets. The purpose? They
are to be used in case of emergency. I shared a laugh with another tourist
who said she kept pulling the one over her toilet and the front desk called
to see if she was ok.
Chris Bryant <email>
Southfield, MI USA 08/13/01
Master of his Domain
The best experience was in Venice. Sitting a the entrance of the men's
bathroom was a man of small stature who acted as the Napoleon of the restroom.
Once a stall was used, he would go in, inspect it, and then signal the next
person to go in. The problem was someone walked into one without him checking
first and he flipped. What a culture shock. But we always remember the little
things, right? At least he did an excellent job of keeping them clean. Hats
off to the Lord of the bathroom stall in Venice!
Roland <email>
Bergen County, nj USA 08/03/01
Toilets
Paris--Ugly American Sighting--griping at having to pay 2 francs
to get into the restroom--at that time equivalent to about 25 cents. I
know we Americans have a thing about pay toilets, but in Europe you get
a truly clean rest room in return, and it's well worth it.
Vienna--the subway stops have toilets, spotlessly clean, again for a small charge.
France autoroute rest areas--use only rest areas with gas stations and/or restaurants; the picnic-only rest areas all seem to have squat toilets which don't flush properly and are horribly stinky.
McDonald's anywhere are clean and safe; Train station restrooms, as mentioned in other postings, tend to be pricy; use the restroom on the train where you can.
Finally, at the bottom of the list along with French autoroute toilets,
was the campground where the toilets were coed and the men's urinal had
only a half-door....
Mary from Oregon
USA 07/31/01
German Trains
If you're traveling on Deutsche Bahn you
will find clean, well-provisioned toilet cubicles. However, be sure to finish
your procedure before entering a station, because otherwise you will find
yourself languishing with an unflushed "To" and soapy hands until the train
moves on: the john won't flush and the water goes off as soon as the train
enters a station. Viel Glück!
Meg Rosenfeld <email>
Santa Rosa, CA USA 07/26/01
Bathroom Horror in Prague
If you want to go to a Mel Brooks horror-version of a bathroom in 14th
century Bugaria, check out the Men's room at the Central Train Station in
Prague. Frau Brucher's older and meaner sister sister sits at a small table
as a checkpoint midway between the urinals and the sinks and expects everyone
who enters to wash their hands and dry them on the same towel (which looks
like it has been in continous use since 1613). If you for paper towels,
she grinds her teeth at you combined with a look like you're insane. Personally
I thought she needed a rabies shot and some thorazine. Enjoy.
Ralph <email>
Miami, FL USA 07/22/01
Be the First on the Train
Use the train toilets when you first get on. They get progressively
dirty and the trip wears on, especially on night trains. Also, beware that
many train stations costs an arm and a leg to use the toilet. It costs four
bucks to use the "pissoir" at the McClean (this is no joke) in the Zurick
train station. They also had these wierd mirrors on the back of the door
in the stalls. I felt like someone was watching me. But, it was clean.
Dodie <email>
USA 07/19/01
No Problems
I've just returned from a 3 week vacation covering Belgium, France,
Britain, and Barcelona. Having read about toilet "horror stories" before
I left, I was expecting the worst. Fortunately, I am glad to say that I
had no problems. All of the toilets were "western style"---no squatting
over a hole in the floor! I didn't even have toilet paper problems---all
were stocked up! I did notice that in Barcelona there were no public toilets
that I could find. I did see (or should I say "smell") several places next
to buildings or in the metro where people urinated out in the open. But
I was pleasantly surprised to see several public toilets in London and Paris.
Most toilets in Belgium, Paris required a small monetary donation. In London,
some large train stations (Paddington, Victoria) and street-located loos
required money. But train stations in Spain were charge-free.
But, in all,
availability of bathrooms in these countries were much less evident than
in the USA. God bless the gas stations and McDonalds! One thing that stands
out in my memory is a toilet in Brugge's train station. A very busy lady's
room attendant would go in the stall after everyone comes out and makes
sure everything is clean and stocked for the next person. She even cleans
the bowl with a toilet brush if necessary. Now that's dedication! By the
way, you can always find a bathroom in a McDonalds overseas too!
Tina
Tampa, Fl USA 07/19/01