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...