Is the size the same as ours?

Thankyou.

I have been going to France for many years but I never saw a shower curtain there. The French prefer that you thoroughly soak everything in sight when you shower. I think it's something like the way my dog insists on splashing water all over the kitchen when he gets a drink. You can't make any sense of it; it's just the way it is.

Larry J

Actually that's how they save on buying a water dish for the dog. The shower water MUST be splashed all over the bathroom floor or else the poor dog will get dehydrated or develop kidney failure.

Well, yes, France does have shower curtains, though you may not see them in hotels. As for the size or sizes, I just measured the one in our bathroom, which is 80 centimeters long by 166 centimeters high, but I expect sizes vary. French bathtubs generally have higher sides than American ones. Great for soaking!

I've bought a few shower curtains in France. The country's on the metric system, so yes, everything's measured in metric. But I've also brought shower curtains from the USA to France, and they fit fine in my French shower. One time I bought a shower curtain in France and found it was about three feet longer than I needed or wanted it to be. The instructions said to "cut it to measure," so I did.

I'm not sure how "standard" Dave's shower curtain is, but 80 by 166 is the same as 31 inches by 65 inches. That's about standard length for a US shower curtain, but only about half as wide.

Patrick, I am so impressed with you! You seem to know everything about everything!

We bought a glass shower door from France for a bathroom renovation. They came in the standard sizes that our shower doors come in, so I would think curtains would also.

So the conclusion is yes, some french do use shower curtains and no, the size is not the same as ours. Is that correct?

Thankyou all.

I don't have anything illuminating to say, but I love the question.

Hang in there, Laqueridisima. With a little help you too can "know everything". Just use Mr. Google. Enter "converting centimeters to inches" and viola, you too can be a math wizard.

<<and viola, you too can be a math wizard.>>

but not a spelling maven

St. Cirq, apparently you haven't met Viola Laqueridisima.

Now what spelling maven are you talking about? LOL

LOL, Patrick!

Actually, I am not one to talk. I have made more typos on Fodor's in the past few days while getting used to new glasses than I'd care to admit to. Finally, the old 20/20 has deteriorated and I actually have to wear glasses to type on screen without making errors - something I'm rebelling against, but if it compromises my spelling reputation, I'm doing it!

LOL, Patrick - quick thinking!

They're a musical family, aren't they? I'm sure I've met her big sisters - Cello & Double Bass.

Well, I can't blame the glasses, although I guess I am due for new ones. Maybe I could blame that ghastly new header which is distracting me. Or maybe I'm turning dyslexic in my old age. Lately I've also even found myself doing there for their and too for to.

But I thought I got myself out of that voila/viola mess pretty well, don't you?

<<But I thought I got myself out of that voila/viola mess pretty well, don't you?>>

Yes, I have to agree. That was both quick and brilliant

Shower curtains in France come in all sorts of sizes. There are narrow ones for use in shower stalls and wide ones for use in bathtubs. As far as height goes, there are plenty of cut-to-fit ones available, as St-Cirq said.

You have to think that French people know how to take a bath and then rinse themselves off with the shower sprayer without soaking the whole bathroom. It's an art. You too can master it with a little practice!

Well, ckenb, I've been sitting here thinking if I should say this -- probably not -- but I will anyway and just take the slams as they come.

Maybe you've answered why so many Parisians DON'T shower every day, or even very often at all. And whether we want to admit it or not, a ride in any crowded metro car will tell you that many, many do not! In fact many Parisians openly say that Americans are crazy because we shower every day! Perhaps they just don't want to clean up their flooded bathrooms every day?

I think times have changed in France, and even in Paris. More and more, people have bathrooms in their houses and apartments, and have showers. They can afford hot water. And they have washing machines, so they can wash their clothes more often.

Don't forget how poor France was after World War II. Electricity and gas were very expensive and people used them sparingly. Modern plumbing didn't exist in many Paris apartments. People didn't have extensive wardrobes, and they didn't have inexpensive, convenient ways to do laundry.

It's still true that in Paris apartments are very small and often don't have washing machines or (especially) clothes driers. So there are still plenty of people in the city who can't wash their clothes as often as Americans do.