Questions relating to cleanliness and prevention of diseases and infections while travelling.
Questions tagged [hygiene]
146 questions
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OK we're all adults here, so really, how on earth should I use a squat toilet?
OK so for anyone that's travelled beyond North America and Western Europe you know what I'm talking about.
Left: Romania, last year. Right: Turkey, last night.
They start popping up in the Balkans and of course they're everywhere by the time you…
hippietrail
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OK, we are all adults here, so what is a bidet for and how do I use it?
Confession time: I am from one of these barbaric countries where the use of the bidet is not widespread. So I have no idea...
Question 1: What is the bidet good for?
Question 2: How do I use it?
Image Source: wikipedia
Apparently the bidet is a…
mts
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What's the best way to take a cold shower?
This is a question that most people probably never think about, because it's an every-day thing. But for many of us, such as myself, who grew up in more western cultures, with more modern conveniences, visiting places that don't have hot water can…
Flimzy
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How to use sinks with separate hot/cold taps?
I just traveled to Ireland. I was amazed to find that water sinks (at home, restaurants and public) have separate taps for hot and cold water.
If you use only the cold water, your hands freeze. If you use only hot water, your hands burn.
How do…
Yousf
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Why do public toilets in the US have large gaps (no privacy)?
Most public toilets in the US are very low in privacy, the bottom gap in the door is so big (around 15-20% of the door), the side gaps are too big as well. This will make the toilet experience so unpleasant with no privacy at all. You can literally…
Nean Der Thal
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Why can't I wash away soapy hands?
If it is more appropriate for Chemistry Stack Exchange, please let me know, although it happens when I am traveling.
I am very thorough when washing my hands (I prefer bars of soap to liquid soap), and I noticed that, in some places I have traveled…
AnyDisplayName
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Male using change tables in female restrooms in Japan
Next month I'll be traveling to Japan with my wife and two children. Our youngest (1yo) is still in diapers. I read a few guides about traveling in Japan, and saw mention that change tables are sometimes placed only inside female restrooms.
This is…
freekvd
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Can I stay in the airplane toilet during landing?
For safety purposes all airlines make you go back to your seat when you are in the toilet just before landing.
But, what if you really had to go and don't come out even after persistent knocking. What protocols do flight attendants follow in such a…
Prometheus
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Is it safe to drink the water from the fountains found all over the older parts of Rome?
When I visited Rome and walked around the older sections, I saw many different types of fountains that were constantly running with water. Some went into the ground, some collected in basins, etc.
Is the water coming out of these fountains potable?…
Yaakov Ellis
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OK we're all nerds here, so really, how on earth should I use a Japanese toilet?
OK so for anyone who's traveled to Japan you know what I'm talking about.
They're devices that are a textbook example of excessive featuritis.
But I want to use something other than the flush knob before leaving Japan. What is a feature that has the…
Golden Cuy
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Why can't we use the toilet when the train isn't moving in some countries?
I am not sure if the sign in the toilet said that we shouldn't use it if the train was not moving or that we shouldn't do so if the train was at the station.
Ulkoma
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How to adapt to Western Toilets from Indian-style toilets?
I am an Indian and have been using Indian style toilets for all my life, Now that I have a knee injury, I am forced to go to Western Style toilets. I find it really hard to empty my bowels in western toilets. I keep myself seated in there but with…
Aayush Jha
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Taming the nightmare of public toilets in the UK
Public toilets in the UK are established and maintained by the local authorities, most commonly local councils. This is great for people that advocate local autonomy, but a hellish nightmare for visitors to the UK. For example, the markings and…
Gayot Fow
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How to use toilet paper
If someone who has never used toilet paper ever travels to countries where only toilet paper is used - how could one learn to use toilet paper?
One of my (Asian) colleagues who is more of a friend confessed he is going paranoid after knowing the…
happybuddha
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So what can I do to avoid being "that" passenger with bad hygiene?
What can I do if I'm seated next to a person with bad hygiene on an airplane?
I've been that passenger several times, typically on connecting flights after a transoceanic leg. I really try hard to find time and place to shower after such a flight…
user4188