The pipe between the toilet and street drain or septic system may not be wide enough to handle the paper. Sometimes the water pressure is not enough to force everything through the pipes. Many buildings in Mexico are old—lots older than what one finds even on the East Coast of the United States.
This practice is primarily due to the plumbing infrastructure in the country. Many plumbing systems in Mexico are not designed to handle large amounts of toilet paper, which can lead to clogs and blockages.
It's a common practice all over Mexico to dispose of used paper in a bin/waste basket which is beside the toilet.
Carry Toilet Paper With You While Traveling in Mexico
Still, one of the most useful things to know before traveling to Mexico is that toilet paper simply isn't available in many restrooms and when it is you'll often need to pay to use some. This brings us to the next toilet tip…
France, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain all use bidets, they'll often have toilet paper available in public spaces for tourists, but homes would all have bidets installed. Japan is the one Asian stand-out in that they adopted bidets rather than other ways of washing the bum.
Muslim societies
The use of water in Muslim countries is due in part to Islamic toilet etiquette which encourages washing after all instances of defecation. There are flexible provisions for when water is scarce: stones or papers can be used for cleansing after defecation instead.
However, in countries like Turkey, Greece, and Egypt, you can't flush it. This is because the narrow pipes and sewer systems struggle to break down toilet paper and are prone to clogging.
GENTLE READER: Unless you are on a train and stopped at a station, Miss Manners can think of no reason why flushing should be suspended. The shock of any late-night noise will surely be far less offensive than that of waking up to refuse that has been lingering overnight.
el papel de baño
We got'em!
I have noticed that here in Mexico a common translation for "baño (bathroom)" is the abreviation you folks mentioned, WC.
Flushing anything besides bodily waste down toilets (toilet paper, tampons, pads, paper towels, etc.) can severely damage the sewage system of wherever you are staying. Everywhere you go there will be a small trashcan next to the toilet for you to place your toilet paper and other materials.
Well, you throw your toilet paper in the garbage — not the toilet. If you're visiting from the U.S., this may come as a culture shock. The custom in Mexico is to throw your toilet paper in the garbage when using the bathroom.
In South Korea, it is customary to throw toilet paper into bins rather than flushing it down the toilet in public restrooms. Most Koreans do not mind this practice, but it can be quite off-putting for many visitors to the country.
Some scholars even suggested that pottery sherds found in abundance within middens in the vicinity of households were in fact used as an equivalent of toilet paper.
Japan – Japan is renowned for its clean and high-tech toilets, often featuring bidets, heated seats, and self-cleaning functions. Public washrooms are generally well-maintained.
Knock gently if the door is closed, and if it's a shared facility with stalls, always check for feet underneath before entering. Avoid peeking through cracks or trying to engage in conversation when someone is clearly occupied. Remember, the bathroom is a private space, even in a public setting.
Squat toilets are common in many Asian countries, including China and India. They are also widespread in Turkey (alaturka tuvalet), Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Iran and Iraq. They can be found in nations like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.
After defecating, the anus must be washed with water using the left hand, or an odd number of smooth stones or pebbles called jamrah or hijaarah (Sahih Al-Bukhari 161, Book 4, Hadith 27). Many jurists agree that toilet paper suffices in place of these stones.
The most common causes of fecal incontinence include constipation, diarrhea and conditions that damage the muscles or nerves that help you poop. Prior surgeries and procedures can also play a role.
The average volume per person in the Toilet Paper market is projected to be 8.3kg units in 2025. The demand for toilet paper in Russia has significantly increased due to a growing population and changing consumer habits.
Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan.
In these countries, they also use water for cleansing during toilet use, although the “restroom” is not so much a toilet as a “hole” in the floor.
Bidets can arguably be considered more sanitary than traditional bottom-cleaning methods. Quite simply, a bidet can provide a better hygiene experience compared to toilet paper. It starts with the basic fact that water can top a few squares of dry TP in removing trace amounts of fecal matter after you poop.