World Toilet Day was November 19.  It was created to bring awareness to the fact that much of the world lives without indoor plumbing.  But-it started me thinking about the diversity of approaches to the plumbing problem and how that adds adventure to any travel experience…..

When you travel a lot you learn to roll with the punches.  There is always something new happening or some cultural or procedural norm that you do not have the memo on and as a result it invariably takes longer to get things done the first time around.  This is never more true, I have found, then dealing with all the different approaches to toilet design (or lack thereof) that human beings have developed.  Many an intrepid and unflappable traveler can be brought up short at the sight of an unfamiliar toilet or toilet facsimile.  Even when the toilet itself is fairly familiar, as in most cases, the tricky part invariably falls to “how to flush”.

The easiest systems to understand are the most simple.  When confronted with a hole in the ground most of us understand what to do,  In some countries, such as Japan, there are two helpful footprints on either side of the hole, or a raised platform on either side, to help indicate where your feet should be placed.  In Russia and India it is really just a hole with no helpful implied pointers.  Until I encountered these simple, functional, no-thrill toilets I did not appreciate the beauty of wearing skirts.  (I wonder what a study comparing toilet design with national costume would reveal?)

Thanks to "Toilet World" for the picture!

Japan is an interesting country in that it has both the most simple design, the hole in the ground, and the most complex design, the electronic icon-cladded toilets found in many of the hotels of Tokyo.  Encountering one of these for the first time (and the second and the third) I was afraid to touch any of the indecipherable icons mounted around the perimeter because I was afraid of what would happen.  I had visions of water shooting everywhere and parts vibrating noisily.  Luckily for me the toilet seat heater circuit worked without needing activation; a pleasant surprise indeed.  I am not sure but I do not doubt amongst the many hieroglyphics was located a button that would make the toilet sing to you while using it.  These toilets clearly reflect Japan’s love of technology.  I am not sure what statement the simple hole configuration represent-an appreciation for the cultural roots, perhaps?

The other toilet, even commonly found across America, that I have been too intimidated to try is the bidet.  I am told it works well but again I have visions of water (and other things) shooting off in different directions and want no part of it.  Maybe I am not as adventurous as I think? They seem popular though.  French in origin – again I have to wonder what cultural statement they make?  Fastidiousness? An aversion to getting your hands dirty?  More American style, as compared to the delicate bidets, are the port-a-potties which litter the landscape of America, popping up here and there at need, being transported easily from one place to the next.  We are a land of connivence and a highly mobile society and our toilets accurately reflect that cultural trait!

One of my first experiences with a Russian toilet was during a familiarization tour of the building where we were to be working.  The tour, conducted shortly after arriving for the first time, included a stop by the toilet, which I thought was kind of odd.  John, our tour guide, proudly marched us to to the public restrooms and showed off the beautiful lights, shiny white sinks, sparkling linoleum flooring and two pristine stalls.  I was unimpressed, it looked like a standard European style set up to me.  Then, afterward, he led us by the old toilets, the ones that never had any maintenance performed on them for what looked like decades. We stared appalled at the one light bulb hanging from a cord dangling from the ceiling, sinks cracked and dirty with age, a stall door that looked like it wouldn’t close and, worst of all, a smell normally associated with old port a-potties.  It was apparent why he was so proud of the new facilities and I began to share his excitement as well.

I had a few close encounters with decaying Russian restrooms.  I remember walking into a two stall bathroom in one building.  Same smell, not as strong, dirty sink, dim light-all things normal to me after  having spent some time in Russia.  In this particular restroom, however, one stall was marked “out of order” and the other, although functional, was missing it’s seat.  The seat was there, conveniently leaning against the wall of the stall as a courtesy but I doubt anyone ever touched it.  In the stall were small squares of newspaper; you could read them before using them as toilet paper (in Russia it was very important to carry your own small pack of kleenex around with you).  Very handy!  You just never knew what you were going to find upon entering a bathroom in Moscow.  (Note: Things got better slowly as the money became available to renovate old buildings and public areas)  Bathrooms in Russia truly are adventures.

Europe, with it’s familiar toilet and stall configurations, is really quite tame by comparison.  The biggest hurdle I always face there is figuring out how to flush.  It never ceases to amaze me how many different ways there are to design flushing mechanisms.  At times I find myself staring quite fixedly at the whole configuration before I figure it out, at which point I sometimes feel that I deserve a prize of some sort.  It certainly is never boring.