Toilets of the World
Welcome to the Toilets of the World
Are you wondering why people hoard toilet paper? Wondering how to use a bidet, or even what a bidet is? Curious about what the toilets are like in other countries? Toilets from ancient history? Do you wonder who invented the flush toilet? (It wasn't Thomas Crapper!) You've come to the right place!
Toilets around the world:Belgium Bulgaria China France Greek Islands Japan Turkey Trinidad Russia and many others
Toilets from throughout history:
The Stone Age Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Bible era King Arthur's England Invention of the flush toilet To the toilets of the future
Only 30 days until World Toilet Day!
Answers for your important questions: Why do people hoard toilet paper? Did Thomas Crapper invent the flush toilet? Should I squat or sit? Should I wipe or wash? Where do I put used paper, in the bowl or in the bin? When did public toilets become segregated by sex? What is a bidet? What is a toilet snorkel? Should I incinerate my sewage in the basement?What is a Bidet?
The purpose and proper use of bidets, those mysterious European bathroom fixtures
Americans traveling to Continental Europe, parts of the Middle East, and East Asia need to learn about the bidet. What is a bidet, how do you use one, and why do you find them in hotel rooms and homes? They may somewhat resemble a toilet, but they are only used for cleaning yourself. Do not use a bidet as if it were a toilet!
I was very startled to hear the following from someone who has traveled overseas quite a bit:
"I just don't understand the bidet. I don't think that a bowel movement would go down its drain easily."
STOP! Do NOT proceed with that plan!
Everyone needs to be very aware of a few crucial details:
A bidet is not a strangely named and plumbed toilet!
If you have a bidet, you still use the toilet for all the conventional purposes! No, a bowel movement probably would not go down the drain of a bidet, not without quite a bit of unpleasant assistance by the operator or some poor person who came along later. Nor would it be particularly helpful to poop in the sink or in the shower, while we're discussing inappropriate defecation.
Lower the seat and it's a raised throne. With the seat up, as seen here, it's an elevated squatter.
The tricky part is balancing on those foot pads as the train sways and bounces along poorly maintained rail lines! See the dedicated train toilet page for many examples from railroads around the world.
Who is the Toilet Guru? Is he obsessed? What is it like to be the Toilet Guru? Why does this site exist?
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