WC/Toilets

 

Toilets in Europe are unusual. We have seen all sorts of strange things. First of all, they call what Americans refer to as "restroom" or "bathroom" a toilet.  My American sensitivity finds this coarse but in fact" toilet" is way more descriptive and correct than "restroom".

Europeans also have a different ideas for shared gender toilets. Their toilet areas are often set up so that both men and women use the toilet stalls that are private.  In the same space, both men and women exit the stall into an area where both men and women wash there hands.  This took me surprise in Bordeaux.  One of our tour members warned me that the bathroom was generic for both men and women. It is quite a surprise to exit the stall and have a man washing his hands.  Makes me think that one of us is in the wrong place.

The French charge for toilet usage especially at the train stations but not at the airports. Now you can pay the .70 Euro with a credit card. The Italians do not charge for toilet privileges except for Capri where the toilet use charge was .50 Euros. 

Then there are the fixtures. We have seen it all.  In Amsterdam's city park, next to the porta-potties is what I call a "Pee Pole". It is a pole with several urinals' attached where men pee.  It's out in the open no privacy structure just a pee pole.   I would have taken a picture but that would have made me look like some lecherous old woman.

The first picture is a floor model toilet.  You squat and do your business.  The second picture is a flushing mechanism that is mounted on the wall above the toilet. It's a pull the level model for the flush. The third photo is of floor pedals that operate the water in the sink above. Never a dull moment in using European toilets.

And then there is the whole Bidet thing.  Our hotels and VRBO's all had a Bidet with towels.