Travel Stack Exchange
Travel Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [toilets]

Bathrooms, restrooms, water closets, toilets... facilities to take care of nature's call while traveling.

23 questions
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votes
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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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Where to pee in London?

We are planning visiting London with two small children. As small children do, they might need to go to the toilet from time to time, and they need to go now! Is it acceptable to ask buisnesses for kids to use their toilets, even if we are not…
SIMEL
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Why is there a towel on my toilet seat?

I checked in to my hotel in Singapore and the toilet has a towel on its lid. What is the objective of this towel? Is it supposed to be used a foot rug for when I am using the toilet?
Sinstein
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41
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5 answers

Toilet laws for Transgender people in Japan

I'm a trans woman heading to Japan on holidays soon. Are there any particular laws surrounding the toilets in Japan for transgender people? I will be presenting female - but I will be visibly transgender sadly. I don't really feel comfortable…
john hon
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40
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5 answers

Why is the bathroom's light switch outside the room in some countries?

I'm in Ireland and I noticed the bathroom's light switch is located outside the room. I heard that is common here and in other European countries. Why is that?
justapilgrim
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39
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3 answers

Should I put toilet paper in airplane toilets?

During a recent international flight my 4 year old daughter informed me that I shouldn't put toilet paper in the toilet but should instead use the bin provided. My gut told me she was wrong, however I accepted this could just be bias due to my…
RyanfaeScotland
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Why must I lock the door of an aircraft lavatory before the light inside fully brightens?

When I step into an aircraft lavatory, the light is off and there is an indicator light saying to lock the door. Once I do lock the door, the light turns on, and otherwise, the light remains off. Why is it that I must lock the door in order to turn…
gparyani
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What is the intended use of the water hose in Indian restrooms?

In Indian restrooms, I have often seen a flexible water hose with a hand-release attached. My original assumption was that it is supposed to be used to clean the bowl if you have left 'skidmarks' after flushing, or for use by the cleaning personnel.…
Aganju
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Can one poop in a seatless western-style toilet? how?

I was recently in Italy, and I noticed all public toilets had no seat. This happened around Rome and Tivoli mainly restaurants and bars, and also mid-range ones that had comfortable seating and were very nicely furnished. However, their toilet bowls…
André
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Why do American gas stations' bathrooms apparently use these huge keys?

In one episode of Beavis and Butt-head from the 1990s, they are out back at a gas station. There is a vending machine with a bathroom door on each side of it marked "MEN" and "WOMEN". A woman comes walking (supposedly from the gas station's store…
Mr. Anderson
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How to clean yourself after you've used this style of western toilet in India?

I saw this type of toilet (see image 2) in North India. The commode is same as most of the others. But I couldn't find the jet (see image 1) which is generally attached with the seat. So I'm wondering how do you clean yourself once you're done…
Rohit Jain
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Where can I expect to find Public Loos in London

I noticed public toilets in a tube station. Are there any “rules of thumb” as to where to expect such public facilities in London?
gatorback
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Any commercial planes with non-Western toilets

After some long-haul flights, travels in China, and exposure to this podcast (Fork Fashions and Toilet Trends) and that letter (Why the world deserves a better toilet) I cannot help but wonder this: Are commercial airplanes universally equipped with…
Drux
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Restroom signs in Poland

I've recently noticed that restroom signs in Poland can be an inverted triangle and a circle for the men's room and the ladies' room, respectively. These signs are completely foreign to me and I was wondering what's the reason behind the choice of…
Pedro Pedrosa
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How much toilet paper can I flush without clogging a European toilet?

I am from a country where the toilet paper is not flushed but thrown to a bin close to the toilet. I think that the European system is more hygienic, but I always have this question when I use the toilet. I usually end up flushing several times in…
Dan
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