European toilets typically utilize a washdown flushing system in which water inside the toilet is forced out through water flowing from the rim of the bowl. The neck of the toilet hole tends to be larger so there is less of a chance of clogs, but the bowls may require more frequent cleaning from any leftover residue.

Correspondingly, why do you have to pay for toilets in Europe?

Paid Toilets Paying to use a public WC is a European custom that irks some Americans. Sometimes the toilet itself is free, but an attendant in the corner sells sheets of toilet paper. Most common is the tip dish by the entry — the local equivalent of about 50 cents is plenty.

One may also ask, what is a European toilet? “The After” Cleaning Instead, European toilets have bidets, a low oval basin or a standalone fixture near the toilet that sprays water, which people can use for cleaning their genital and anal area latter patting dry with a towel or disposable tissue.

Beside this, why are there no toilet seats in Europe?

Apparently, the toilet seats are there originally but, then, they break. The seats break because people stand on them. People stand on them because they are not kept clean enough to sit on. Either the proprietors decide there's no point in continuing the cycle, so they consign their toilet to the ranks of the seatless.

How do you unclog a European toilet?

How To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger

  1. STEP 1: Squirt generous amounts of dish soap or shampoo into the clogged toilet.
  2. STEP 2: Add a gallon of very hot (but not boiling) water to the bowl.
  3. STEP 3: Wait a few minutes and watch -- the water should break up the toilet paper, and the soap should help it slide down the pipe.

Why do European bathrooms smell?

Horrible smells This is called a “trap” because it traps a small amount of water, which prevents bad smelling sewer air from wafting into the bathroom. In Europe these are often not present which leads to bathrooms that smell not just like a sewer, but like an old sewer.

Do you flush toilet paper in Italy?

Public restrooms can be very difficult to find in Italy, next to impossible in places like Venice. Few have toilet seats (an Italian phenomena) or toilet paper of any kind. Most are pay toilets, usually under one euro.

Are bathrooms free in Europe?

London, Paris and Amsterdam: You pay-to-pee. In these large European cities in particular, it's common to pay to use public restrooms, even if they appear to be free. If there's no cost to enter, there is likely a cost for toilet paper or a tip dish for the bathroom attendant.

When did pay toilets end?

1970s

What are the small toilets in Europe?

Chances are if you're traveling through Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, East Asia, or China, you'll eventually encounter a bidet in the bathroom. It's traditionally a basin near the toilet that's used to clean the genitals and anal area after using the toilet or whenever a "freshening up" is needed.

Can you flush toilet paper in Greece?

In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo. So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal to anyone who uses this method.

How do you flush a toilet in Italy?

How to Flush an Italian Toilet
  1. Metal or plastic push button on the top of the tank.
  2. Step-on button on the floor near or behind the toilet.
  3. Round push button positioned at waist level on the wall.
  4. Pull up metal tab on the top of the tank.
  5. Pull down metal tab on the bottom of the overhead tank.

Why is there no toilet seats in France?

The reason why there isn't any is because no body does (it's not in our culture, when I was a child, my mother always told me to never sit on public toilets, and I think it's a french thing). AND also because french aren't really respectful, they are a bit gross in toilets. It's a fact.

Why are there no toilet seats in Mexico?

There are several factors that come into play for why toilets in Mexico have no seats. Most of Mexico is warm. Sitting on cold porcelain is in no way comfortable to do your business and a way to avoid even going to the bathroom. However the porcelain is cool in Mexico but never cold.

Can you sit on a toilet seat lid?

The hinged seat is for sitting on when you are actually using the toilet to poop, and in the case of a woman, also to pee. The lid is also good for preventing objects from falling into the toilet, and for preventing droplets of spray from filling the air when you flush.

Should toilet lid be up or down?

It's More Sanitary If you need a reason besides common courtesy (which we'll get to in a minute) to put the toilet seat back down, try this: we should actually all be putting both the toilet seat AND the toilet lid down, because flushing with the toilet lid up can cause germs from the toilet to spread into the air.

How do you dry after a bidet?

You can use toilet paper or a towel in order to dry off. Often you will find a ring near the bidet with a towel hanging on it, and this may be to dry off your hands or nether region, or even to wipe up any water that has splashed out of the fixture when you rinse the bidet after using it.

What is the proper way to use a bidet?

To use a bidet, first go to the bathroom on the toilet. Once you've done your business, straddle the bidet. If you choose to face the water controls, take your pants off, first. For toilets with a built-in bidet, stay on the toilet and hit the “wash” button.

Why is there a toilet seat?

It's to Keep You Safe from Germs… The toilet seat is designed to fit along the toilet bowl, and to keep things sanitary. It's even got a lid – the toilet seat lid. The toilet is usually shared with a bunch of people (like your office toilet, or even the one at home).

Why are there no public toilets in London?

Serious Question: why are there so few public restrooms / toilets in London? Local councils have started closing a lot of them because it costs too much to keep them manned, clean and functioning. They eventually get sold and someone makes a fancy restaurant or bar out of them.

What is the little toilet for in Italy?

Whether or not you were having an emergency, you may have encountered an additional fixture next to the toilet that is unfamiliar. It is called a bidet (pronounced bih-day). Although the word derives from French, there are actually more bidets in Italy, where 97% of households contain one.

Can you pee in a bidet?

Key Point: To avoid confusing you ; the stand-alone bidet is capable of handling pee. It is because urines are in liquid form like water. So it can easily pass through and also the water from the bidet do help to wash it away too; thus keeping it clean.