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Travelers
are often faced with unfamiliar situations on the road, from language
barriers and unusual foods to strange currencies and cultural taboos.
And there's no challenge more urgent than figuring out where to go —
when you need to go. Here's some advice about what you might encounter.
Public
restrooms around the world use the abbreviation "W.C.," meaning "water
closet." This was the original term for a room with a toilet, since the
bathroom was the place where one also would bathe. Worldwide, signs
often say "toilet" in English. Some countries may use only the local
language, however, so it's handy to know the written and spoken word
for toilet in the language of each country you're planning to travel
to. In Arabic, one word for toilet is hammam; the Arabic spelling
appears in the photo above.
Slide show text by Sonja Groset, MSN Travel; photo editing by Connie Ricca
Europe, keep an eye (and a nose) out for freestanding public urinals
called pissoirs (a French word describing the activity that takes place
there). These convenient stations are easy to overlook, but the smell
will usually give you a clear indication of what occurs behind the
decorative screen. Pissoirs are for men only; women are out of luck and
should continue searching for a public toilet.
On
the streets of Beijing and in other cities around the world, strong
odors are no longer a problem thanks to high-tech, self-cleaning public
toilets. A small fee (exact change is sometimes required) allows you
entrance to the unit. When you exit, the doors lock and the interior is
automatically washed and sanitized for the next customer.
Not
all pay toilets are high-tech, like this one in India. Whether rustic
or modern, some facilities are staffed by an attendant who takes money
at the entrance. Generally, the presence of an attendant and a fee
means the facilities will be relatively clean. It's a good idea to
carry plenty of spare change when you're traveling — some places even
charge extra for toilet paper!
Japan, the introduction of the Toto toilet in the 1980s heralded the
age of the "high-tech toilet." In 2002, The New York Times reported
that at least half of all private homes in Japan had toilets with
high-tech features, more than the number of households with a personal
computer. Commonly known as the "Washlet," the most popular model
offers a dazzling array of features that can include a heated,
adjustable seat, water jets, massage options, a blow dryer, flushing
sounds and more. Travelers may encounter similar units at Tokyo's
Narita Airport; thankfully, you can use the toilet the old-fashioned
way and forgo the bonus features entirely.
The
Hang Fung Gold Technology Group — a jeweler in Hong Kong — features the
"Hall of Gold," a showroom that contains several everyday items crafted
in gold, including a 24-karat solid gold toilet. Before the hall was
suddenly closed in 2008, a rise in the price of gold led some to worry
that the famous toilet might be melted down. The jewelers said at the
time that the toilet would remain intact, but its fate is currently
unknown.
Beijing public toilets were once the bane of travelers, who complained
they were dirty and smelly and lacked privacy. However, in preparation
for the 2008 Olympics, the city spent millions to improve its
bathrooms, and China instituted a star-rating system. Some of the nicer
public restrooms today offer attendants, carpeted waiting areas and
refreshments. One facility was even built to look like a giant insect,
perhaps a nod to the days when insects were frequent (and unwelcome)
guests around public toilets.
referred to as the "Turkish toilet" or "Eastern toilet," squat toilets
are common from France to Bangkok. They generally consist of a hole in
the ground with a footprint on either side. Proponents of this style of
toilet contend that they are more hygienic, use less water and are
easier to clean and maintain than traditional facilities. Some even
argue that squatting is a more natural position for 1) urination and 2)
well, number two.
if the squat toilet leaves you squeamish, you might prefer it to
communal facilities like the ones at the Roman site of Ostia Antica.
Travelers can get a look at this ancient public latrine (no longer in
operation) that includes 20 "stations"; it's "flushed" by water that's
carried by an aqueduct below each seat.
if the squat toilet leaves you squeamish, you might prefer it to
communal facilities like the ones at the Roman site of Ostia Antica.
Travelers can get a look at this ancient public latrine (no longer in
operation) that includes 20 "stations"; it's "flushed" by water that's
carried by an aqueduct below each seat.
the great outdoors often means having to find a shrub or tree to squat
behind when nature calls. In Kootenay National Park in British
Columbia, public latrines offer a more civilized — though not exactly
private — option for hikers. It's hard to imagine a loo with a more
beautiful view.
you find yourself in the desert, squatting behind a tree or shrub is
hardly an option. Portable outhouses of canvas in the Sahara Desert give
weary travelers a place to ahem, take care of business.
https://travel.msn.com//Guides/MSNTravelSlideShow.aspx?cp-documentid=1003838&imageindex=1
