9752 Public Toilets!

Yes I thought that title would make you curious....

Well over the years I have found that facilities provided for 'those quiet [I]contemplative[/I] moments' when you're out and about really [I][U]DO[/U][/I] vary enormously.And yes, I [U]AM[/U] talking about what we Brits call the public loo! You know... ones that generally have a sign like this outside.
[IMG]http://www.as-s.co.uk/images/toilets_thumb.jpg[/IMG]

See one of those and you expect something like this - right?
[IMG]http://easycarts.net/ecarts/terrylove/images/cst764_6.jpg[/IMG]

Or maybe even one of these... [IMG]http://www.s4dac.org/images/borgagn/holman01.jpg[/IMG]

Well of course you do.... But over the years I've had some laughs about what (still) constitutes a toilet in some countries...

Take Italy for example. In the forefront of modern design and inovation. Perhaps the greatest culinary minds in the world and yet [I][U]still[/U][/I] TODAY they make, supply and fit [B]these [/B]monstrosities in public toilets for men AND women!
[IMG]http://cdn-www.answerbag.com/images/answers/149900/454627/tmb_Squatter_Toilet.jpg[/IMG]

In Italy it is known as 'alla turca'...(a Turkish toilet)
Ever tried one of these, ladies? Now they are [I][B]real[/B][/I] fun (NOT). The [I]first[/I] problem you encounter is.... do you [I][B]face[/B][/I] the wall, or is it [I][B]back[/B][/I] to the wall? Then there's the question of how to hold your skirt/dress off the floor when contemplating the job in had (so to speak )... Oh and don't even [I]think[/I] about what you must do when you have to flush the darned things - perhaps lean to the right, place right shoulder against wall - lift left leg to raise dress/skirt and place foot on the wall then with left hand try and reach the paper!!!! OMG - the mind boggles....

Yes I've got some stories I could tell you - but I bet some of you could raise a smile on this subject too - so don't be shy, let's have a few laughs and brighten this place up for a while - shall we?

and NO - I'm [U]not[/U] a Geek - well not [I]most[/I] of the time I'm not!

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 12:14

And thats why Italian brides always have a yellow hem!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 13:14

Actually, "turkish" toilets are very sanitary to use as you don't have to perch on/over a pee splattered seat that is crawling with all sorts. Their design also makes you put your body into the most conveinient posture to do your business - think how squatting low to the ground centres your balance and how gravity has the desired effect.

If you squat correctly, (by placing your feet in the obvious depressions) you can easily gather up your petticoats/skirts and place them infront of you - and you will also be in the perfect position to wash yourself afterwards. There is usually some facilty within these toilets - a hose or perhaps only a jug of clean water - that you can use to clean yourself. Don't forget to drop your draws only to your knees as you squat, as pulling up wet knickers from around your ankles or the toilet floor just aint fun!

I've used these toilets many times and find them very easy if wearing a skirt. They are slightly more difficult if wearing trousers as you have to trap your trousers between the back of your knees, along with your underwear as you squat, while making sure you have hitched the hems up high enough in the first place so that you don't pee into your turnups! :bigergrin:

Obviously, you use this type of toilet with your back to the wall - which should suit Pigro well if his aversion to bidets is anything to go by! :laughs:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 15:28

When entering any toilet, as I am female, I check for toilet paper...Turkish toilets usually, do not provide paper...why because such loos are owned by cheapskates.....holding ones nose as well as ones knickers is all too much effort!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 16:10

Is this an instruction or a warning? I'll leave you to decide....

[CENTER][ATTACH]2041[/ATTACH][/CENTER]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 16:18

All very informative , true and amusing . All loos should be CLEAN and well ventilated - shape is less important. Personally if the loos in any place are not clean I wont go there again.
Unfortunately sometimes you are stuck with what's on offer - Fiumicino A/p please note!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 16:19

ok, so gathering skirts, petticoats, knickers etc in one hand, and using the other to balance, what ya supposed to do wi ya pint?
only kidding, ( I dont drink, and I'm shy!)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/08/2008 - 17:59

Now these are intriguing... would YOU use the first one? :nah:

[IMG]http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/images/2008/03/30/toilet_sign.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.vishalsopinions.com/images/restroom_sign.jpg[/IMG]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/09/2008 - 08:09

Herealready
You shy? Your 'aving a larf!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/09/2008 - 12:53

I was driving the rafting bus today and had to take a wee in the launching field. Thick wet grass everywhere, so when I came back to the bus I said to the Italian raft guides 'at least with the wet shoes from the grass you can't see I've pisciato on my shoes'. Laughs all round, but a very valid point for those of us who can't do it very straight for anatomical reasons.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/10/2008 - 07:44

Those turkish toilets are the perfect place for women to use this: [URL="http://www.travelmateinfo.com/page002.html"]TravelMate Urinary Products Overview[/URL]