The local economy needs foreign tourists but sometimes when cultures come to a "head," things need to be straightened out.

The Swiss have been enjoying a surge of Asian and Indian tourists but have realized they cannot accommodate all foreign customs. In an effort for clarity, the Swiss are now posting signs on how to use toilets, how to take no more than you can eat at breakfast buffets and, in some hotels, not to cook food in the rooms.

Here's a year-old story about one effort a local tourist attraction has undertaken to clear up any misconceptions on how toilets should be used in Switzerland:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-properly.html

I've often wondered how tourists who are used to other toilet procedures feel about sitting down and flushing the toilet paper down the toilet. Is it a luxury or just confusing? Does it cause stress or add to the adventure of travelling?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

It's confusing if you've never seen it before. The first time I encountered the squat toilet was in Morocco I said nope and went into the western style stall, thankful I had a choice. The next time I encountered the squat toilet, I was in Kazakhstan and was not pleased but I was prepared. As they say: any port in a storm.

Stress? Maybe a little but it's way way way down on the list of things I stress about. Adding to the adventure? Absolutely.

Differences in "toilet cultures" is why it's useful to carry around some FLUSHABLE wipes (even if you end up binning them instead of flushing them) and some spare toilet paper around with you no matter where you go.

sparkchaser: Women know they should always carry tissues with them because there's no guarantee there'll be toilet paper available when needed ;-)

My experience with squat toilets and placing tp in bins is quite limited. Personally, I think it's imperative for places visited by foreign tourists to post photos showing toilet usage instructions. It makes using the toilet a more comfortable experience for everyone.

That's not a bad idea.

One time in Libya I managed to pee in the area for cleaning your feet.

The shame, still the loo staff stopped laughing eventually to point out what an idiot I was.

Cultures cut both ways.

<i>Cultures cut both ways.</i>

Aye. On a train from Almaty to Aralsk I had the attendant come and yell at me in Russian for not using the toilet properly.

They may well 'pooh pooh' the strategy - but Marcel Furer, head of the regional tourist office, told 20 Minuten: 'Tourists from the Gulf region or Asian countries are not very aware of our way of living. >>

As you say, sparks, it works the other way too - it was only when we were talking on the plane home from Sri Lanka that that DH realised that the water hose next to the loo in all SL toilets was for "personal use" rather than cleaning the bog.

BTW what were you doing wrong on that Russian train? peeing in the basin?

It was a Kazakh train. And to be honest, I can't remember if I tried to flush the paper instead of using the bin or I jammed the "flush" mechanism or something else. I do remember the attendant singling me out because i was the only foreigner in that car. Oh well. It makes for a nice anecdote.

We have those signs in some toilets in Sydney ( and probably other Australian cities too). They are in one of my local shopping centres.

I've often thought people accustomed to squat toilets probably think it's disgusting to have to put one's bare posterior where another's has been.
Hence the need for those signs, I suppose.

We have toilet seat covers in the very occasional toilet here. They were more popular some years ago, but I can't remember the last time I saw cubicles fitted with them.

I've always figured that where the water and sewer systems are iffy or non-existent squat toilets are a lot more hygienic. I've also read that the position is better for you. Does take a bit of getting used to - I once wrote the "Seven Steps to Happy Squatting" for my website.

I do remember encountering one in far western China that was so bad we went round the back of the building and posted sentries instead of going indoors.

Several places (department stores, restaurants, a couple of train stations) I visited in Japan had both traditional Japanese toilets and modern 'western' ones and almost every time there was a queue for the western ones while the Japanese toilets were available . . . so there were all these Japanese ladies waiting to sit and me bypassing the queues to squat . . .

By the way, in Switzerland, if there's a line for the women's toilets but the men's are empty, it's OK for women to make use of the empty stalls.

Good to know, thanks, Kleeblatt.

I just would not be able to squat and get back up anymore. I would need a grab bar for sure. Paints an ugly picture doesn't it? LOL

So, I would have a problem if the only toilet available was a squatter.

@janisj - of course, Japan is now known for its amazing western style loos.

Great thread! My first encounter with a squat & pee was in Chiang Mai Thailand. Crefloors, you are not the only one who would need a grab bar!!! Now, when in Thailand, I only use the western style toilets. And they are not always available when we are driving through the jungle in southern Thailand on our way to Phuket from Bangkok. Travel is an adventure!

What really puzzled me the first trip (of 39, and counting) to Bangkok was the toilet hose! I've never actually used one, but DH and DS use them all the time. Although their first attempts were rather wet, requiring a change of clothing!! Haha.

The TP in the bin is possibly the reason some toilet stalls in the USA look so messy with TP on the floor and whatever, after being used by a foreigner, as the foreign users can't find the large waste bins that are always available in their homeland. Only other option... throw it on the floor??

My daughter once stayed at a convent for a week while doing research in Florence. While she was there, a group of tourists (Korean, I think, but anyway from a country that was totally unfamiliar with European bathrooms. In the morning, she heard a nun let out a scream. Someone had taken a dump in the bidet.

Makes me think of my first trip to SE Asia! I'm so glad I read up before going and was ready to use squat toilets...and knew what the hose was for. It was nice to bypass the long line of tourists waiting for western style toilets and just head into a squat toilet stall. I must admit, though, I couldn't do the hose. I brought my on toilet paper and used that. Asia was also my first bidet experience, oddly enough. It's the little things that bring you up short and really remind you you're not at home, isn't it?

I saw those same signs on several of the boats plying Lake Lucerne this past April.

thursdaysd: >>@janisj - of course, Japan is now known for its amazing western style loos.<<

I know -- I fell totally in love w those.

Expected one in my posh Tokyo hotel but was amazed to have one in my decidedly down market, basic guest house in Kyoto.