Global Guide to Toilets

Water closet Travelers are often faced with unfamiliar situations on the road, from language barriers and unusual foods to strange currencies and cultural taboos. And there's no challenge more urgent than figuring out where to go — when you need to go. Here's some advice about what you might encounter. Public restrooms around the world use the abbreviation "W.C.," meaning "water closet." This was the original term for a room with a toilet, since the bathroom was the place where one also would bathe. Worldwide, signs often say "toilet" in English. Some countries may use only the local language, however, so it's handy to know the written and spoken word for toilet in the language of each country you're planning to travel to. In Arabic, one word for toilet is mirhad; the Arabic spelling appears in the photo above. Pissoirs Throughout Europe, keep an eye (and a nose) out for freestanding public urinals called pissoirs (a French word describing the activity that takes place there). These convenient stations are easy to overlook, but the smell will usually give you a clear indication of what occurs behind the decorative screen. Pissoirs are for men only; women are out of luck and should continue searching for a public toilet. High-tech, self-cleaning public toilets On the streets of Beijing and in other cities around the world, strong odors are no longer a problem thanks to high-tech, self-cleaning public toilets. A small fee (exact change is sometimes required) allows you entrance to the unit. When you exit, the doors lock and the interior is automatically washed and sanitized for the next customer. Pay and Use Toilet Not all pay toilets are high-tech, like this one in India. Whether rustic or modern, some facilities are staffed by an attendant who takes money at the entrance. Generally, the presence of an attendant and a fee means the facilities will be relatively clean. It's a good idea to carry plenty of spare change when you're traveling — some places even charge extra for toilet paper! Toto toilet In Japan, the introduction of the Toto toilet in the 1980s heralded the age of the "high-tech toilet." In 2002, The New York Times reported that at least half of all private homes in Japan had toilets with high-tech features, more than the number of households with a personal computer. Commonly known as the "Washlet," the most popular model offers a dazzling array of features that can include a heated, adjustable seat, water jets, massage options, a blow dryer, flushing sounds and more. Travelers may encounter similar units at Tokyo's Narita Airport; thankfully, you can use the toilet the old-fashioned way and forgo the bonus features entirely. Solid gold toilet The Hang Fung Gold Technology Group — a jeweler in Hong Kong — features the "Hall of Gold," a showroom that contains several everyday items crafted in gold, including a 24-karat solid gold toilet. Before the hall was suddenly closed in 2008, a rise in the price of gold led some to worry that the famous toilet might be melted down. The jewelers said at the time that the toilet would remain intact, but its fate is currently unknown. Beijing's star-rated facilities In Beijing public toilets were once the bane of travelers, who complained they were dirty and smelly and lacked privacy. However, in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, the city spent millions to improve its bathrooms, and China instituted a star-rating system. Some of the nicer public restrooms today offer attendants, carpeted waiting areas and refreshments. One facility was even built to look like a giant insect, perhaps a nod to the days when insects were frequent (and unwelcome) guests around public toilets. Squat toilets Often referred to as the "Turkish toilet" or "Eastern toilet," squat toilets are common from France to Bangkok. They generally consist of a hole in the ground with a footprint on either side. Proponents of this style of toilet contend that they are more hygienic, use less water and are easier to clean and maintain than traditional facilities. Some even argue that squatting is a more natural position for 1) urination and 2) well, number two. Ancient public latrine Even if the squat toilet leaves you squeamish, you might prefer it to communal facilities like the ones at the Roman site of Ostia Antica. Travelers can get a look at this ancient public latrine (no longer in operation) that includes 20 "stations"; it's "flushed" by water that's carried by an aqueduct below each seat. Loo with a view Enjoying the great outdoors often means having to find a shrub or tree to squat behind when nature calls. In Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, public latrines offer a more civilized — though not exactly private — option for hikers. It's hard to imagine a loo with a more beautiful view. Outhouses in the Sahara Desert If you find yourself in the desert, squatting behind a tree or shrub is hardly an option. These portable outhouses in the Sahara Desert give weary travelers a place to ahem, take care of business.