Man oh man I gotta pee! Where is the nearest toilet? What, no paper? How will I ever handle that? My God, it is a good thing I always carry last year's Sears and Roebuck catalog with me.

Mary Anne <BR>Happy holiday in OZ and NZ comparing toilets to Europes! Usually other things spark my curiosity but each to their own.

just for fun

<BR>Hey Ed! <BR> <BR>What does "irregardless" mean? <BR> <BR>Boris

Holly: <BR> <BR>Sorry you're offended. If you'll read my postings you'll see that my comments were directed to those who take rolls of TP with them, and those who take bottles of water with them. <BR> <BR>Reading through the comments of others it seems some think I'm extreme in "making up" those examples. <BR> <BR>Sorry folks. I do know people who carry toilet paper with them. And I do people who carry bottled water with them. (In the latter case one has taken a ZeroHaliburton aluminum case and carved up the foam inserts so the water will travel comfortably and securely.) <BR> <BR>A pack of Kleenex? A handful of folded toilet paper? Who would have a problem with that? Quite different, though, when people pack for a trip to Europe like they were the queen of England. <BR> <BR>Ed

Ed; I loved your pithy and amusing comments. How did you attract such opprobrium? Will I now incur others' wrath just for agreeing with you?

opprobrium? Dang, I hit one of those critters one night with my pick-em-up truck. What a mess.

I'm confused. Was the Ed in these long entries the real or the fake? <BR> <BR>On the subject of toilets: If you do use an automated pay toilet, pay for it. If you don't, you'll be in for a surprise. The toilet may do what it is supposed to do when UNOCCUPIED. It will spew out water, make big noises, slide in and out of the wall. That's what it is supposed to do BETWEEN uses, not during. And on top of that, someone may walk in on you because, since you didn't insert a coin, the toilet is in "vacant" mode. Never saw one of these gizmos in Italy, though, only free ones. I thought you all might like to hear this.

I found that using corn cobs, although quite effective, did not flush well even under the most ideal conditions. As an alternative, consuming large qualtities of Exlax would typically eliminate the need for toilet paper, but requires great skill and aim. Good luck.

Ed-- Do you really "do people who carry bottled water with them." ??? <BR>You sound kinky. Better stick to small packets of Kleenex, or go to confession.

Please note that the use of toilet paper which seems to some posters to represent the epitome of hygene is regarded as dirty in many cultures. <BR>They may use primitive toilets but they wash themselves afterwards. <BR>I'm just saying that when you travel you must be prepared to think again about the habits & attidudes you came with.

THE most interesting entry on this entire thread.

t

--- <BR> <BR>Just got back from Italy last night (my 3rd visit). And I've quickly scrolled thru the top part of this thread rather quickly --- enough to see the objections that folks bring their own 'tp' - well, as a woman who ALWAYS brings those small packets of kleenex, I stand by my suggestion that all woman do likewise. I've often found that toilet paper is not available when you're out & about & need to find a place to pee. Especially as many "in the know", head for the McDonald's when needing a reliable bathroom; consequently, their bathroom use can be extensive (talk about over 3 billion served!). And sometimes the McDonald's does run out of toilet paper. <BR> <BR>As for the 'hole in the ground toilets', yes they still exist. If you need to use the facilities in the La Spezia train station or in the Lucca train station, then you'll encounter that experience.

And that's the REAL Ed in the above posts.

Rufus, you can't be a real hillbilly. Otherwise, you would use probrium instead of opprobrium like the rest of us.

Enough with this scatological discussion, yet? Though the Nov. 3 posting from a Frank really is interesting.

Ed, You the Man! <BR> <BR>I enjoyed reading your responses and wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments. Most Americans need to loosen up a little, although a few of us are not as wound up to begin with. <BR> <BR>-DH-

ttt for ed

Very bad idea using Kleenex, Holly/Terry. Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, Kleenex ABSORBS water. Put kleenex down the toilet and result - blockage and problems for you and the toilet owner etc...

Ed, as if you haven't taken enough abuse already, you used 'irregardless' earlier. This is not a word. Irrespective is a proper word, or just 'regardless.' <BR> <BR>This thread brings new meaning to the term 'talking s**t.'

This is the first time I've been to this site. What controversy! <BR> <BR>Can I ask about Paris and it's potty customs? Is it similar to New York in terms of finding an available restroom? <BR> <BR>By comparison, I've found in NYC restrooms cover the gammit of deadly dirty to works of art. Sometime I find TP, sometimes not. Even locals need to know where to spot a toilet when far from home. In NYC tourist locations have toilet facilities. Dining places will let you use theirs if you buy. Giant bookstore chains will have public lavatories. Big department stores usually have pay facilities. Most retail stores do NOT let you use their facilities. Night clubs are just plain scary. If you walk into a hotel like you belong, you can generally use their restrooms too, but you need to tip the attendent. <BR> <BR>Is Paris the same? What is an appropriate tip, if tipping is done? What would a pay toilet cost? Are there places to "go" beyond the obvious? <BR> <BR>I've heard about the Turkish toilets, but never tried. Is the technique similar to squating over a log while camping? What of the men's facilities on the streets, or the "walls"? Are there any particular behaviors you need to follow? Are there clear indications on how you are to dispose of feminine hygiene products in the women's room? Are facilities generally joint, or are they single sex? Our group is not fluent in French culture or language, so we'd hate to miss a sign, or make an assumption, or offend in ignorance. <BR> <BR>Thanks Rose for some clear answers to real questions. When you have to go, you have to go, whatever the conditions--but where? <BR> <BR>For the kids among us, may I suggest that pop culture book from Japan "Everybody Poops". Try your local superbookstore for a copy while you wait for the bathroom. Grab some napkins from the cafe as there might not be any toilet paper. <BR> <BR>Happy traveling to all, <BR>Sky <BR> <BR>

tp

I suggest you buy travel toilet tissue. I got some from Magellan's and it worked great (better than Kleenex tissues). For all women reading this...never go into a bathroom without your own toilet paper because even in places you would think would have some, many times they are out.

I find this discussion interesting and have both a response and a question. First, the question: In an Amazon review of the book "Piazzas and Pizzas, Adventures of the Clean Plate Club in Italy" a reader takes the author to task for reporting on his visit to the restroom in the McDonald's by the Spanish Steps in Rome. The author claimed he simply walked in and walked to the back to the restaurant (as I have done in several Mickey D's in various parts of Italy). But the reader fires off a vile screed, claiming that one must first obtain an entry token from the counter help.<BR> Since when, and where? Please advise. Know I've used the McD near Termini in Rome, on Viale Trastevere, and also SPanish Steps, and in Bologna and Verona all without this challenge.<BR><BR> On the larger topic, the aforementioned book has an hilarious chapter on Italian Plumbing (both toilets and showers), that includes the question, "What were these people thinking?"<BR><BR> Indeed!

topping for me! this is important.

Re: the McDonald's at the Spanish Steps, we used their restrooms which are at the back. This was last June. No, you do not need a token to use the restroom.

Geesh, the guy asked a simple question.<BR><BR>I'm sure that Frank is trying to decipher what is accurate in "travel mythology" and what isn't. I remember seeing in several of my guidebooks the Italian toilets weren't up to "standard." Just goes to show how inaccurate guidebooks can be. <BR><BR>I, too, found that in general the restroom facilities were quite good in Italy. We encountered more than three pay toilets, as I recall, though. One was at the airport, one at the Naples train station, and one in some museum that escapes me. All were quite clean.<BR><BR>I remember being appalled the day after returning home to see the filthy restroom at our local "upscale" mall. All I could think of is how Europeans would look at us.<BR><BR>Therefore, I applaud the previous posters who put the whole thing in perspective for Frank--there's little worse in Europe than the American gas station restroom!<BR><BR>And everyone is entitled to his preconceived notions. Friends of mine from England landed on American soil in trepidation four years ago--from American movies, they assumed all of us were packing handguns. <BR><BR>I see no problem with someone having preconceived notions, especially when he seeks to clarify/correct them. The problem is when no one seeks to expand upon their experiences because of those notions. I'm sure we all know people who wouldn't step foot in Europe because they are so afraid of the unknown.<BR>

Sandra<BR><BR>Since a few months you have to ask for the key to use the toilets at fast foods, but according to italian law owners of public places such as restaurants and bars (etc.) _have_ to allow you into their toilets even though you are not having anything to eat or drink. I invite you to just walk to the counter and ask for the key, they are suppposed to allow you into their toilets and, in case they refuse to give you access to the toilet unless you buy something to eat or dring, just tell the that you need to use the toilet first and than you will be having something or, if you are having a bad day and feel like fighting, menace to call for a "vigile urbano", who is suppoesd to fine them unless they allow you into their toilet.<BR>

I was only referring to the McDonald's at the Spanish Steps specifically. I don't know about other eating establishments. If we needed to use the restrooms at a restaurant/cafe it's because we were eating there already.<BR><BR>If things have changed whereby one needs tokens or to ask for a key then I didn't know. We were there in 6/01.

Sandra<BR><BR>I was talking on a general basis. Although FAst Foods have taken this abit of making you ask for the key or for a token when you need to use their toilet, the are required by the law to let you use them anyhow. I live in Italy, I use public toilets from time to time; since the Italian law allows me to I do not feel obliged to buy any drink or food at the places where I ask to use their toilets, so I gust step in and ask where the toilet is.

topping this great thread, with its great message header<BR>

Dond esta el bano?

El bano esta en su cabeza.