Hole in the ground toilets
 

For three trips to Europe, these toilets have confused me. Why have a porcelain place to put your feet, and a hole that has a flusher?
Well, I asked our home exchange family and they said it was supposed to be more sanitary than a toilet seat. I asked, "Is there a trick to using it, rather than just squatting"? They said," Yes". Apparently, there are two straps(one on each side) that you are supposed to hold onto. I can't quite understand the visual, and how this keeps your clothes clean. Anyway, I've seen the hole in the ground toilets mentioned in guidebooks, but never an explanation of how to "properly" used one. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Start working on those quadriceps now!

In the new airport in Agadir Morocco they actually have very modern holes. All done up in marble , with above head water tanks and flush peddles. I will never get used to them

It seems to me that there's an explanation on the Rick Steves site about the intricacies of these wonderful devices. I may have some time a little later tonight to look around on the site, and if I find it I'll post the URL here.

I have a photo of a loverly white porcelin one with gleaming chrome fittings taken in Carnac. It takes pride of "place" in our photo album on Normandy and Brittany.

gb,

I've seen a lot of these "toilets" and they've never had straps to hold on to. You need strong thigh muscles to balance.

As far as properly using one - you use it just like a toilet except you're squatting rather than sitting. You keep your clothes clean by being cautious and sober!

Most of the squatters I've seen have been in France in country cafes which were frequented primarily by men so it didn't much matter if there was a place to sit or not. I don't know if you're male or female but if you're a woman it's a lot easier to use one if you're wearing a dress.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

adrienne

During a year that I spent in Japan, I encountered plenty of these porcelain-lined holes. Actually, they are not true porcelain because true porcelain is translucent, and who would want a translucent toilet bowl?

The Japanese are very fastidious people and are convinced that these type of toilets are hygienically superior because you don't make physical contact with anything that may have recently been in contact with a very nasty part of someone else's body. Of course, if you slip and fall in, the superior hygiene principle no longer applies.

Occasionally, I would notice that the "western-style toilets" had footprints on the rim. After seeing this enough times to realize that something was going on, I asked one of our graduate students where the footprints were coming from. Looking embarrased, he explained that folks from the country that have never encountered a throne-type toilet will sometimes climb up on the rim and act as if they are using the familiar hole in the ground type toilet. I wonder how often the fall off.

americaninparis site's not active.

I've encountered these toilets the world over and they are actually supposed to be more hygeinic that the usual type. I've never encountered one with straps, however. You just need to use the thigh muscles. Piece of cake! Stay in shape and you'll be fine.....

I'll try to figure out how to put this...I am a stickler about flushing toilets but... if you are unlucky enough to have to do the major business of the day in one of these, DO NOT FLUSH! I had the misfortune of having one throw it all back at me. I'll never forget it. CJ

Oh MY God! As my 16-year-old would say. Carol - you survived?

Eewwwww! I encountered such a hole in Lausanne, Switzerland and was in a panic. Let's just say I was in a desperate situation, and my boot-cut jean bottoms came out disgustingly decorated. I never saw these 'alleged' straps.

Adienne, I mailed it to you.

CarolJean - Are you suggesting you just leave it there for the next person to come along and flush and get your stuff thrown at them? Someone should start a new thread here entitled How to be Rude in Europe.

smueller, in the Phnom Penh airport bathrooms (Cambodia) there are signs indicating the correct way to use western-style toilets. There is a drawing of a person standing on the seat and squatting, with a big X drawn through it.

Couldn't find the URL for the page that gives a thorough explanation, although it was one of my most unusual searches, I must say. But I digress.

Here's a whole bulletin board of toilet tips from Rick Steves' followers:
www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti6.html

And, last but not least, here's a product that may interest some: www.whizzy4you.com

I have never used one of these and never shall. I'd sooner go behind a bush or ? I'm shocked that Switzerland would have such a primative contraption!

Beware of these toilets if you are wearing sandals.

As Carol, above, discovered, the flush is usually very powerful so stand well back, press the flush button/lever, and then *run for your life* !!

another piece of advice (I learnt this the hard way in Japan)

... make sure all mobile phones, keys etc are OUT of pockets before using toilet!

... make sure not to hang sunglasses from your t-shirt!

I've never seen any kind of straps on these toilets - but I have been in really fancy ones that squirt nice smelling stuff around the place.

Betsy - that Whizzy thing is a hoot! Let's say that it will NOT be one of my top 100 accessories to take to Europe!

cigale - thanks for the file (good info) but the photo link didn't work, probably because the site isn't active.

adrienne

Actually, squatting is more natural and hygenic. Plus evacuation of the solid materials is easier, faster, and more complete when squatting than when sitting--one result is a reduction in the incidence of hemorrhoid flare-up for those so inflicted.

>"Actually, squatting is more natural and hygenic."

Unless, of course, you're wearing tight jeans and high-heels :o

The first time I saw one, I didn't use it. The second time, I ran for the nearest restaurant. But, the last time I saw one, it was at a highway rest stop a little west of Cannes(to my great surprise) and I had to go. So, I use what I call my back packing stance and manage. But, I was surprised when my friend told me there was hanging handles.I didn't notice any, but I wasn't looking up there, just down. Another funny story is about those enclosed street toilets in Paris. My daughter had just use one (and we had no more coins between us). So, I decided to double use it. Well, my two daughters were laughing hysterically and I didn't know why. So, I carefully left the door sightly open thinking they were laughing that I was going to be locked. I used the facility and left. As I shut the door behind me, I could hear the toilet being washed inside. My kids thought I was going to get washed and didn't tell me!

Are these things part of that "local culture" so many people here rave about wanting to "experience"????????

Second advice re not having anything in pockets. But, hey, none of you seems to have experienced a real "long drop". You should; you haven't lived if you haven't. A hole in the floor, sans flush, sans porcelain. Watch out for the flies.

I had an experience in a Rome train station with a squat toilet several years ago that was also (unknown to me) a shower.

After I was "done" I pulled a cord to flush, which was really the shower cord. Soaking wet and embarrased I also found that the door was jammed and I couldn't get out. I started asking for help from the outside and nobody came to my rescue. Then I put my eye on the lock to figure out what the problem was.

At that moment someone kicked in the door which landed me on the porcelain squat toilet. Everyone in the WC was laughing at the wet tourist laying on the squatter with a bloody nose! I took it all in stride and still think it is funny.

Gosh, Jor! I'd say that could be chalked up to one's worst travel experiences. Glad to hear you have a sense of humor about it.

BTW - I try to avoid the Turkish toilets, as well, but sometimes have no choice but to use them.

RufusTFirefly, TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!:-d

For those of you guidebook-oriented types, you can research this subject further with the book: "Going Abroad... the bathroom survival guide" by Eva Newman.

Someone gave it to me for Christmas, it's pretty funny and extremely informative! All toilet types and situations neatly sorted out, with illustrations!!

While I much prefer throne-type toilets, when you've backpacked up in the mountains where your only toilet is somewhere behind a tree and flies are swarming all around you, a hole-in-ground-toilet with no flies doesn't seem all that horrible. :)

During my first trip abroad I encountered a WC that I couldn't figure out. After that trip I bought that "Going Abroad" book...my husband laughed at me for it, but it definitely helped on our next trip. I have had friends ask to borrow it and its always a conversation piece:)

In the late 60's I was installing state of the art computer controls in a brand new power plant in northern Italy. Construction was in its final stages & the toilet facilities were not yet operational. One morning I heard load hammering in the the rest room adjacent to the control room which was for use by engineers & technicians. Much to my surprise the plumbers were removing the standard sit-on toilet to be replaced with the porcelain square with the hole.
Why, I asked? I was told that way being uncomfortable, personnel will spend less time in the toilet facility!!!

travelerone, I know what you mean. It's hard to take a nap when there's no place to sit.

Forget the WHIZZY!

As the old saying goes "necessity it the mother of invention" so -

Think Melita Coffee Filters - 1-cup or 2-cup size, snip the bottom corner and you've got your own WHIZZY - cheap, biodegradeable, easily packed.

Your own La Funnel!!!

now that was off the wall....lol

I think it was somewhere in Hanoi where I used a 'western' style toilet and noticed a sign above the door in several languages that stated "Do not stand on the toilet."

On my first time to Europe trip as my above post, I was young and dumb and traveling with a friend.

We got a hotel room in Switzerland that had a baddet (spelling?) After much discussion we determined that it was for washing your feet. So that's what we did!