Summary:
- Restrooms in some European cities have tip jars.
- Toilets in parts of Asia are designed for squatting.
- Flushing toilet paper can clog the toilet in these countries.
- In China and South Korea, you should bring your own toilet paper.
- Outside the U.S., bidets are standard.
- The bathroom lingo is different wherever you go.
Learn where not to flush toilet paper, when to squat instead of sit, and more international bathroom behavior.
Navigating local customs while traveling internationally can be tricky. Knowing when to tip and whether it’s polite to shake hands with a stranger is challenging, however, even trickier is figuring out the bathroom etiquette in your destination. Which are the countries where you can’t flush toilet paper, but are expected to throw it away instead? Should you be prepared to squat or sit? Moreover, where do you have to pay to use the facilities? It can feel uncomfortable — impolite, even — to ask these questions.
Although many locals will give tourists a pass for being ignorant about bathroom behavior, it’s still a good idea to study up on what to do when nature calls — not least because a faux pas could have very embarrassing consequences, like a clogged toilet.
Before you start packing for your next trip abroad, read up on these facts about bathroom etiquette around the world.
Restrooms in some European cities have tip jars.
In years past, people often had to fork up coins to use public restrooms in tourist-heavy European cities like London and Paris. These days, many of those coin-operated facilities have become free for ethical reasons. There are exceptions to the trend — Amsterdam, for one, is still a land of pay-to-pee toilets — but payment is more often optional now. Consequently, when the restroom is attended (i.e., staffed by a cleaner), it’s customary to tip. A word of warning: attendants will sometimes put big bills in the tip jars to confuse tourists. A small tip equivalent to between $.50 and $1 is sufficient.
Toilets in parts of Asia are designed for squatting.
If you’ve visited a public restroom in Singapore, Thailand, India, or China, you’ve probably encountered a squat toilet. These types of toilets are common in many Asian countries. Squatting to do your business has been shown to be healthier and more natural for the body, which might be why some countries utilize in-ground toilets with steps on each side to place your feet. When using a squat toilet, ensure your pants pockets are either empty or secure. Lower yourself over the bowl while facing the door. If there is a pedal to flush with water or a bucket to wash down waste, be sure to use it. Moreover, watch out for splashback — you don’t want to walk around the rest of the day with toilet water on your clothes.
Flushing toilet paper can clog the toilet in these countries.
One of the most embarrassing things you can do in a public restroom is cause a blockage. The easiest way to do that is by flushing toilet paper in a country where you aren’t supposed to. Some places have narrow pipes, or they don’t possess systems that can break down toilet paper easily, so it’s customary to throw your toilet paper into a waste bin, not the toilet, or use a bidet instead. Therefore, you typically shouldn’t flush toilet paper in Turkey, Greece, China, Montenegro, Egypt, and rural areas throughout South America.
In China and South Korea, you should bring your own toilet paper.
Bringing your own toilet paper is customary in some countries, such as China and South Korea. The primary reason why toilet paper wouldn’t be supplied in a public toilet is because of theft. Toilet paper pilfering was such a significant issue in China that authorities installed facial recognition software in some public restrooms during the late 2010s. Thus, it’s best to travel with some tissue in your bag — you never know when you’ll need it.
Outside the U.S., bidets are standard.
Bidets are commonplace outside the U.S., especially throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of South America. The water cleansing fixture originated in France; hence, you can bet you’ll find them in many a French bathroom still today. Bidets are not just preferred over toilet paper in many parts of the world, but they’re also necessary where paper products are limited. Expect to use one if you visit a public toilet in Italy, Portugal, Japan, Argentina, or Venezuela.
The bathroom lingo is different wherever you go.
When you’ve got to go, there’s no time for a language barrier. Familiarize yourself with local terminology when asking for the bathroom. Overall, the word “toilet” is more widely used and understood than “bathroom” or “restroom,” as people say in the U.S. In Canada, it’s a “washroom.” In England, it’s a “W.C.” (short for “water closet”) or a “loo.” You can use “W.C.” or “toilette” throughout Europe. In Australia, don’t be surprised to hear the word “dunny.” Furthermore, when you’re in Japan, you can refer to it as a “benjo” in informal situations.
