I keep hearing about the shower and bath issues in Paris...how are they different than in the U.S.? Is there anything I should bring to be more comfy? Help!

Plumbing in Paris is very much like in the rest of the world - including the United States. Hotels rooms don't always have capability for both bath and shower (i.e. you might have a shower stall, or you might get a bathtub without a shower) but it's otherwise very normal.

Although less and less common, there are still plenty of examples to be found of bath, shower and toilet facilities that are unfamiliar to Americans. Even more true if you stay in someone's home, perhaps. More likely that the toilet will be in a separate room with not so much as a sink in it, and sometimes not much bigger than 1 meter by 1 meter. <BR> <BR>More likely that the bath may be deeper than you might expect and narrower than you expect, and more likely that the showe will be hand held only, whether part of a tub or not. Much rare are "bathrooms" where the shower is simply mounted on the wall, and not enclosed in any way, and the user has to take care not to get the entire room wet. <BR> <BR>And of course, more likely that a "well-furnished" bathroom will have a bidet. <BR> <BR>Even in some seemingly "modern" American bathrooms, with a bath/tub indistinguishable from those found in the US, there are occasionally no shower curtains to be found whatsoever. Even with the door completely closed, I have heard Americans get freaked out about this - - being naked there, and "not behind a curtain"! <BR> <BR>So many ways to get clean - - and still Americans act as if Europeans aren't taking advantage of any of them (often enough)! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Biggest difference is shower in bathtub with no curtains or doors. Makes for an interesting challenge - trying to shower yourself without getting the whole room wet. But really no big deal Sometimes a bathtub so small you have to have your knees bent to fit in it. Sometimes a shower and no bath. But don't worry - you'll do fine. E-mail me for more information.

What I dislike the most are those bathrooms with a tub, but the shower is a hand-held device and no way to hang it on the wall. It takes a lot of maneuvering for me to manage putting the shower head down without spraying back up into the air. Turning it on and off constantly is even more difficult. How does one wash hair with one hand and the other hand holding the shower nozzle?

What's wrong with the bath/showers in Paris is that the French don't seem to use them!

Knees, Patrick, knees. If I explain further, I'll be going into entirely more detail that I want anyone to know.

Again, Patrick has the best information. I also could never manage the hand held shower gizmo but I did discover how to soak and wash your feet. Use the Bidet while using the potty.

Patrick, A couple of women's elastic ponytail holders can do wonders to transform a handheld shower into a stationary one...

When I need both hands - - like for lathering - - I just drop the shower head into the (already filled with water) tub. Not difficult at all to keep it from "swimming around" with just a foot or knee holding it in place. <BR> <BR>Or did you not really mean to elicit a serious answer? <BR>

You people must be more coordinated than I am. Rex, I guess I never filled the tub, so when I put the shower head down it usually snakes all over, or as soon as I put my foot on it, it rolls over and sprays right up into the air --especially on those rare occasions when there is a lot of water pressure. I've tried to hold it between my knees and well, let's just not go there! I do remember once having the door to the bathroom right next to the shower and I actually wedged it into the almost closed door with a suitcase propped against the door to hold it tight. Sorry I've never traveled with pony tail holders, but not sure what I could fasten the shower to -- that's usually the biggest problem. <BR>You know I said on another thread today that I couldn't think of a thing I really didn't like about Europe. Now you people have gotten me all upset thinking about how much I despise those hand held showers. Michele, why did you start this converstion anyhow? I was perfectly happy forgetting about those confounded things. I guess the better alternative would be to actually sit in the tub with water and still shower with the held held deal, but I have a thing about sitting in bath water -- sorry just one of my little quirks that probably none of you really needed to know about anyway.

Patrick - The way I have dealt with it is as you suggested - sit down! You don't have to sit in the water if you don't want to, just let the water run down the drain as you do when you shower standing up. <BR> <BR>The other problem about lack of shower curtains; I assume the French expect you to get water all over the floor because it's impossible to shower without doing so. When in Rome (Paris) ......... <BR> <BR>Maybe someone who lives in France has an answer for this.

Patrick, you are not alone. Last May while in Paris, I totally soaked down the entire bathroom, including towels and dry clothes. Next day though, I just sat down in the tub and let the water drain. However, this past December the place I stayed at in Paris, had the funky shower head, but it was a stand up shower. Couldn't sit then, so, the only thing that saved me was that there was actually a shower curtain. I don't even want to think what it would be like with no shower curtain and no tub, guess it would be just one wet bathroom!

Not to suggest that anyone is "Mensa-challenged", but when I have been faced with a bathroom with no curtain for the shower, I have removed any towels, clothes (even toilet paper) or anything that I didnt want to get wet - - from the room while I was in there. <BR>

Rex, you're right! I realized it was a mistake as soon as I lost control of the water. By that time, it was too late. Sometimes after a 9-10 flight you just aren't thinking, and all you want to do is take a shower and go visit the place you've been dreaming of all those months. Definitely a lesson learned

That would be 9-10 hour flight.

Michele: Don't worry about it. I love "telephone" showers. I have no idea why the French do not use shower curtains, but when your room is made up for the day it is totally dried, so there is no big deal(only if you are the fourth to shower in a quad room. Then you need a noseplug and lots of towels.