People stand on them because they are not kept clean enough to sit on. Eventually, after being broken repeatedly, they are no longer replaced for one of two reasons. Either the proprietors decide there's no point in continuing the cycle, so they consign their toilet to the ranks of the seatless.
The reason behind the mystery of missing toilet seats: squatters. Toilet squatters, specifically. The toilet seats break over time after people stand on the seat to avoid the mess potentially on its surface. Much like the Colosseum, only part of the original structure still stands.
I was recently in Italy, and I noticed all public toilets had no seat. This happened around Rome and Tivoli mainly restaurants and bars, and also mid-range ones that had comfortable seating and were very nicely furnished.
France and Italy are an exception and have some squat toilets remaining in old buildings and public toilets because they used to be the norm there in the early 20th century. In BMW Welt in Munich, the public restrooms have some stalls with squat toilets.
A toilet bowl seat is completely unnecessary in a public toilet. The pot is regularly cleaned in your own house or in a restaurant. But not in public toilets. As a result, no one sits down on a toilet seat while using the toilet. So there is no reason to install a plastic toilet seat.
At first glance, this may appear like a complete win for the European stall, but there's a reason why American stalls have this gap installed. Firstly, these gaps are primarily designed for emergency service workers to access cubicles when someone is in distress.
You don't really need to bring this from home, of course —Italy does have toilet paper–but it's a smart thing for ladies, particularly, to throw in their purses before leaving the hotel in the morning. Why? Well, while 95% of the bathrooms you'll use at cafes or restaurants are perfectly well-stocked, some are… not.
Can you flush toilet paper in Rome? Yes you can - there are European countries where this is still a no-go, but in Rome you can flush a small amount of toilet paper. Remember - never flush wet wipes!
Research indicates that people who squat report less straining and take less time to go (Sikirov, 2003). Other studies have shown that adopting a squat position when pooing lowers abdominal pressure, suggesting this position requires less effort for bowel emptying (Tashiro et al, 2020).
The bidet is for washing your nether regions. That means specifically: you can use it to clean your butt, and/or your taint, and/or your genitals.
Jeans are always accepted these days but a nice quality pair and a nice top can be very acceptable for everyone.
Some countries, such as Greece and Turkey, have very frail plumbing. If you see a 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.
“Can you drink tap water in Italy?” is a question that students coming to visit us ask quite frequently. The answer is of course yes: tap water in Italy is always good to drink unless it is explicitly communicated. Tap water is constantly monitored in Italy in order to always assure its safety.
It is an alarm. If you feel you are going to faint in the bathroom, you can pull the cord to call for help. You are not supposed to pull the cord just because you wonder what it is! If you do that, it is like calling 911 in the US just for fun!
Squat down.
Your knees will be pointing straight up and your bottom should be directly over the toilet. Squat all the way down, positioning your bottom at about ankle level, close to the toilet. If the squat is a difficult position for you, try hugging your knees for support.
Introducing the P-flector: A revolutionary urine guard that attaches underneath any toilet seat to effectively block the gap where urine can escape. Its flexible design fits curved bottom, elongated, and rounded toilet.
2: Squatting Over the Toilet
When you squat, the muscles in your pelvis are all activated and engaged. This includes your pelvic floor muscles, which prevents your bladder and bowels from fully emptying. Squatting to pee can cause a weak pelvic floor in the long term as well as urinary tract infections.
There are two types of toilet in China, the western style” throne” and the squat toilet. The squat toilet is basically a elongated hole in the floor, with footrests on each sides, and sometimes a splash guard at one end. The user squats down low.
Do not flush Tampons, sanitary napkins, or any other products down the toilet. Avoid letting hair, food, or other objects collect in the drains. Sewer systems are delicate and you will be charged for any plumbing bills incurred as a result of your stay.
Bidets are used to clean yourself 'down there. ' Of course, there are two 'down theres', and depending which area you want to clean, depends on which way you face. They are used in addition to, not in place of toilet paper in Italy.
The Romans cleaned their behinds with sea sponges attached to a stick, and the gutter supplied clean flowing water to dip the sponges in. This soft, gentle tool was called a tersorium, which literally meant “a wiping thing.” The Romans liked to move their bowels in comfort.
An Italian shower is essentially an open shower enclosure, without a partition or with a glass partition. The floor, usually made of ceramic or porcelain tiles, is an extension of the bathroom floor covering, without a step or edge.
Italy follows European Union regulations regarding imports and exports. Certain items like weapons, drugs, and counterfeit goods are strictly prohibited. Additionally, there are restrictions on bringing in certain foods, plants, and animals to protect public health and the environment.
Everyone has heard of petty theft and pickpocketing in the big Italian cities. It is important to protect your valuables while walking amongst large crowds. Many Italians wear fanny packs/ satchels everyday. You can easily store your phone, wallet, passport, and other small items while traveling around.