How to Use an Italian Bathroom

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In Italy, some bathrooms are just a hole in the floor with a type of shower floor frame around it where you sit down or stand to pee (whether you´re female or not). It might be a challenge for beginners, but not after you know what to expect and how to handle the experience.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

For Women

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  1. This is more difficult than you might think. Some public bathrooms in small towns in Italy, for reasons stubbornly unclear, are closed during the lunch hour and on Wednesdays. If you can't find a public bathroom, try the train station. If the train station is anywhere close by, beeline right over there in full confidence that you will most likely find free restrooms which are somewhat functional.
  2. If there is no open bathroom in the public square, and the train station is just too far and you know you can't make it, then your best bet might be to find a restaurant or a café. And yes, you will be expected to sit down, have a drink, and then use the facilities. You are thinking that drinking more fluids, just so that you can use the bathroom, kind of defeats the purpose. True enough. You have run up against one of the great conundrums of traveling in lovely rustic, old lands.
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  3. Give your bag, your sweater, that cute little sunhat, and any other handheld belongings to your friend. Or give it to your husband, your boyfriend, or to anyone who has the skill to be able to stand outside waiting for you for quite awhile, holding all that precious stuff you always drag around with you. Hopefully it's not raining. Once inside, the last thing you want, is to have to put any of your treasures on the floor of this bathroom. There is not likely to be a hook in the bathroom, nor a nice clean surface of any kind, at any height. Nor is the bathroom all that likely to have a spotless and dry floor.
  4. As you make your handoff, be absolutely sure to take your toilet paper, and tampons, or sanitary pads, and your hand sanitizer with you. [1] Don't leave them in your backpack. Those necessary supplies won't do you a whit of good if you can't reach them, for heaven's sake.
  5. While some bathrooms in Italy are equipped with lightbulbs and functioning electricity, some are not! Some of the doors in bathrooms run all the way from the floor to the ceiling. If the light inside that little stall is out, when you close that door, you might as well be shut up deep in the darkest Kentucky cave. This is not ideal. You need to be able to see for these delicate maneuvers. Bring that flashlight.
  6. Wait in line and when it's your turn, get down. If the floor is dirty, squat as close to the "toilet hole" as possible. [2] This is going to be easier for you if you are in good shape. Just another reason to be glad you are doing those regular gym workouts. You are doing those, right?
  7. If you hear a strange noise and water is rinsing the entire toilet area floor, don't worry. It's how it "flushes."
  8. Do not wipe back to front, as it can cause UTI. [3]
  9. If you have an accident with aiming, clean off the fixture with some toilet paper you have brought from home. Leave things nice for the next person. You are all in the same boat together. They too, have been wandering the town looking for a place to go! You are like soul sisters.
  10. Not guaranteed. Try to have hand sanitizer in your purse or knapsack just in case. And use it! [4]
  11. Get your stuff. Say thank you to the nice person who held all that crazy junk for you while you were in that stinky place for so long. Then go on your way and get a nice pizza or go tour another church or something.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

For Men

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  1. Stand extra close for easier aim. If failing, don't worry. Flushing will rinse it.
  2. If you hear a strange noise and water is rinsing the entire toilet area floor, don't worry. It's how it "flushes".
  3. If you have an accident with aiming, clean it off with some toilet paper you should bring from home. Wash and dry hands and leave. [5]
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      Tips

      • Bring toilet paper at all times as you travel around this beautiful country of Italy. You never know when you are going to have to "go" and you never know if the toilet you're going to has toilet paper or not.
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      • If the bathroom is attended by a person who is accepting tips, then the bathroom should be clean. You don't have to tip if the attendant has not been doing a good job, and has been knitting while the facilities are getting dirtier and dirtier. If the place is in pretty good shape, you really will want to leave at least twenty euro cents.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Toilet paper
      • Antibacterial soap
      • Flashlight
      • Bag for tampons etc.
      • Change (if using a restroom that you have to pay to use)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://gobackpacking.com/woman-guide-using-squat-toilets/
      2. ↑ https://gobackpacking.com/woman-guide-using-squat-toilets/
      3. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/avoid-uti#1
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
      5. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253
      6. https://blog.studentsville.it/top-10-tips/everyday-life/say-okay-to-the-bidet-your-10-questions-answered/

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