Why are European toilets different than us?

European toilets use less water (and may have the "dual-flush" option that lets users choose a lighter flush for liquid waste), and there's less splashback and less noise involved.

Why are European toilets different than American?

American partitions offer a good deal of privacy, but the exposed feet and top, combined with the sight lines between the door and frame, may make some occupants a bit uncomfortable. European toilets offer exceptional privacy because instead of a thin partition, it's actually an enclosed stall.

Why are American toilets different to UK?

American toilet uses the siphonic flushing system, which creates a vacuum in the trapway to suck out the content in the bowl. The British water closet uses the washdown flushing system, which relies on gravity and water volume to push solid wastes out through its short and wide trapway.

Why do European toilets have little water?

In the UK and many other countries, the toilets are washdown type, which doesn't require as much water in the bowl. Washdown bowls tend to get 'streaked' with solid waste, which is why most European toilets have a brush nearby.

Why do European toilets have a shelf?

Well, we can thank the Germans. The purpose of the shelf is inspection. You're meant to look at the consistency, shape, color, abnormalities, etc.

Why American Toilets Suck

Why can't you flush toilet paper in Europe?

Some countries, such as Greece and Turkey, have very frail plumbing. If you see an wastebasket near the toilet with used toilet paper in it, that's a sign that the sewer system isn't up to snuff. Put your used TP in the wastebasket instead of flushing it.

Why do public toilets in Europe not have seats?

We asked Italian friends about the frequent absence of toilet seats, and they helped to fill in the blanks. 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.

Why don t UK toilets have bidets?

It's clear that the widespread use of bidets in many countries has its advantages. The lack of popularity in the UK and US likely has to do with a combination of factors: unfamiliarity, lack of space, cost, and more.

Why do UK bathrooms not have bidets?

Although bidets have been around for a long time, their popularity has been less than predicted. One of the biggest reasons why bidets have fallen out of favour is because of the invention of the toilet paper. The traditions of cleaning the rear end with dry paper has stuck, and bidets have failed to catch on.

Why are there 2 toilet bowls in Europe?

The answer really is rather simple: One is a toilet, the other is a bidet, used for washing. If you visit countries like France, Italy and Portugal, or venture further afield to East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, you are likely to come across two toilets in the bathroom.

Why do Brits call the toilet the loo?

Despite its British popularity for a slightly less crude way to call the toilet, the word “loo” is actually derived from the French phrase 'guardez l'eau', meaning 'watch out for the water”.

Why is toilet not flushing in UK?

If your toilet takes its time to flush or the water levels look higher than usual, you could be experiencing an unseen blockage. These often occur if you place too much toilet paper down your loo or attempt to put non-flushable items such as wet wipes, sanitary products or baby nappies down the toilet.

Why do British people say toilet instead of bathroom?

The British started using “toilet” as a euphemism for bog or bog house, and at the time they did this, the word “toilet” did not refer to a plumbing fixture at all, but to a small room where ladies would finish dressing. It's from the French toilette.

Does Europe use squat toilets?

Squat toilets are rare in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, and countries in Northern and Western Europe (except public toilets in France).

What country has the most advanced toilets?

Toilets in Japan are sometimes designed more elaborately than toilets commonly seen in other developed nations. European toilets occasionally have a separate bidet whilst Japan combines an electronic bidet with the toilet.

Do Europeans use water after toilet?

Residents of many nations have long been ending a toilet visit with water. And that isn't just true of the non-Western world. The French of course gave the world the word bidet, and even though the devices are fading away from France, they remain standard in Italy, Argentina, and many other places.

Why do Muslims only use bidets?

A bidet is an essential part of a washroom in Muslim countries as Muslims are obligated to wash their genitalia, perineum, inner buttocks, and anus. While on the toilet, a Muslim must remain silent. Talking, initiating, or answering greetings are strongly discouraged.

Is it illegal to install bidet in UK?

Installation. The Bidet Shower must be installed in compliance to your local water authority regulations, which is a legal requirement in the U.K., if you have any doubts please use a qualified plumber.

Why is America against bidets?

During World War II, American soldiers would have visited brothels while stationed in France. Upon return home, they would have associated bidets with brothels, creating an association with immorality.

Why there is no jet spray in UK?

Very few will have sprays or bidets with upward facing jets. They're very difficult to install to comply with British water regulations to prevent cross-contamination of 'toilet' water and 'drinking' water.

Do you really not need toilet paper with a bidet?

If you are using the bidet properly, and if your bidet is of high quality, you should not have to use toilet paper to wipe yourself clean. A high-quality bidet will clean your backside more thoroughly than any amount of wiping. However, you may want to use a small amount of toilet paper to dry yourself.

What country only uses bidets?

While households in the U.S favor dry toilet paper to this day, bidets are the dominant cleaning method in places like France, Japan, Italy, and Portugal. In many Asian countries, you will find bidet attachments fixed to the toilet bowl in public restrooms and the same can be said in Western Europe.

What is the string in Italian showers?

The string set off the bathroom phone. You may have noticed similar strings hanging down over bathtubs, showers and toilets in bathrooms across the European nation. They are required by law in the national building code to be installed in public facilities that need to be accessible for disabled visitors – like hotels.

What is an Italian shower?

An Italian shower, more commonly known as a roll-in shower, is simply a shower with no curb or step between the shower and the bathroom floor.

Why does Italy not have toilet seats?

Most Italian public toilets don't have a toilet seat.

This has to do with maintenance. Since public toilets are often less than spotless, people often climb with their shoes on top of them, not to sit on a potentially dirty seat.