# Toilets and drinking water in SE Europe **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 28, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023 "2012-01-28T21:25:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/61 "2012-01-31T08:35:05Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > How stupid of them not to ask the Americans how they should build their toilets, just going by what works! And is cheaper to build and maintain/ clean! Yeah, they should do everything exactly as the US does it, otherwise it isn’t proper. :rolleyes: I don’t live in the US. And I was in Russia with a dozen non-Americans who were equally unhappy with the squat toilets everywhere. Get a grip. P.S. All the Russian homes that I was in had sit-down toilets. It seems the Russians prefer them too. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/62 "2012-01-31T10:47:45Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I was just making an example. In the USA and Canada, washcloths are a normal part of hotel towlery (?) and most people don’t travel with them; whereas the guidebook warned that except in Holiday-Inn-wannabees, European hotels tended to NOT provide washcloths. Which, I assume, you are confirming. Vive la difference… chacun son gout, vaya con dios, ich bein ein Berliner, etc. Regarding washcloths, part of it may be that washcloth usage is less common full stop in Europe. Personally, as a Brit, I see it as something old men do. I get perfectly clean without having to use one. ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/63 "2012-01-31T10:50:59Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > Who said that the OP is asking a stupid question? If the question were phrased differently - without the denigrating attitude - it would be a normal travel question that comes up in Europe often enough, too - where can I drink the water? And what precaution do I need to take when eating salad? Are common question in the guide books for Southern Europe. Partly because of corruption in the companies and cities leading to bad quality water pipes; partly because of less water to begin with, partly because of less money and less strict standards for treatment plants. > > And the other posters who chime in to rant about Eastern Europe places not having “real” toilets because they are of the squatting variety instead of the sit-down variety - that, too, is not a matter of “dumb” question, but of the automatic cultural arrogance that there is only one right way to do things - the American way. That’s part of the double standard. (Another part is how it’s okay for US dopers to post critical things, but if I repeat the same things, I get flamed or warned. Because saying bad things about the US is forbidden, no matter how factually true, but saying bad things about other countries is no matter). > > I didn’t say it’s an example. I said that because it had come up in the past, it’s something that US tourists, esp. female ones, should be aware of, so they don’t cause blockages. I get flamed for repeating exactly what US dopers have said before in other threads - I consider that double standard. If you no longer mind this, that’s your thing. Let me ask you something pal, do you see [boards.straightdope.fr](http://boards.straightdope.fr) in the address bar? How about [boards.straightdope.de](http://boards.straightdope.de)? [boards.straightdope.co.uk](http://boards.straightdope.co.uk)? No that’s right you don’t. If this message board seems to be biased in favor of Americans, that’s because it is. It’s not some conspiracy by the Americans on this message board to oppress the European posters, either. It’s obvious to anyone that has seen your posts that you have a gigantic chip on your shoulder when it comes to America and Americans in general, and frankly it baffles me as to why you would choose to stay here and passive-aggressively snark at every poster that has the gall to post U.S.-centric topics and replies on an U.S.-centric message board. Bizarre is the only word for it. I may receive a warning about this post, as I’m not quite sure if I’m out of line or not, but I certainly see much more than a mere warning in your future. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/64 "2012-01-31T16:09:09Z")
> [@palacheck](#): > > It’s obvious to anyone that has seen your posts that you have a gigantic chip on your shoulder when it comes to America and Americans in general, and frankly it baffles me as to why you would choose to stay here and passive-aggressively snark at every poster that has the gall to post U.S.-centric topics and replies on an U.S.-centric message board. Bizarre is the only word for it. It’s also pretty funny that the people he’s snarking on _aren’t even American_. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/65 "2012-01-31T17:00:19Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t know why they don’t know this, because every public toilet in the United States has a sign saying not to do this. I’m more worried by why you’ve been in so many womens’ toilets! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/66 "2012-01-31T17:05:47Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > I’m more worried by why you’ve been in so many womens’ toilets! I haven’t been in _many_ womens’ toilets, but the signs are ubiquitous in unisex toilets. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/67 "2012-01-31T18:46:33Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > It’s also pretty funny that the people he’s snarking on _aren’t even American_. Hey, you can’t remember **constanze** is a she, she can’t remember \*\*An Gadaí \*\*is Irish. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/68 "2012-01-31T19:39:27Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Hey, you can’t remember **constanze** is a she, she can’t remember \*\*An Gadaí \*\*is Irish. Wait, constanze is a she? God, that completely upsets my entire applecart. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/69 "2012-01-31T23:39:31Z")
There’s definitely still squat toilets around in Italy, even in quite popular places (Sirmione on Lake Garda, for instance, has one directly on a beach). The water is safe to drink pretty much everywhere in Europe, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/70 "2012-02-01T00:18:41Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Hey, you can’t remember **constanze** is a she, she can’t remember \*\*An Gadaí \*\*is Irish. And if I had made an assumption about **constanze** ’s behavior solely based on thinking she was a he, you might have had a point. In **constanze** ’s world, anyone who says anything negative about Europe must automatically be an American. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/71 "2012-02-01T00:41:58Z")
> [@palacheck](#): > > Let me ask you something pal, do you see [boards.straightdope.fr](http://boards.straightdope.fr) in the address bar? How about [boards.straightdope.de](http://boards.straightdope.de)? [boards.straightdope.co.uk](http://boards.straightdope.co.uk)? > > No that’s right you don’t. If this message board seems to be biased in favor of Americans, that’s because it is. It’s not some conspiracy by the Americans on this message board to oppress the European posters, either. > > It’s obvious to anyone that has seen your posts that you have a gigantic chip on your shoulder when it comes to America and Americans in general, and frankly it baffles me as to why you would choose to stay here and passive-aggressively snark at every poster that has the gall to post U.S.-centric topics and replies on an U.S.-centric message board. Bizarre is the only word for it. > > I may receive a warning about this post, as I’m not quite sure if I’m out of line or not, but I certainly see much more than a mere warning in your future. Huh? “.com” means worldwide. If it ends in “.us” it’s aimed primarily at Americans. I think what you’re mistaking is that because it in in English (the language of England) that it is primarily American. In fact, it’s a polyglot lot; which is often only apparent if a cultural reference or odd name betrays the fact that most 21st century inhabitants of the tubes are geographically indistinguishable. I understand too that first w in “www” means “world”, and the second means “wide”. As opposed to a narrow world view… ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/72 "2012-02-01T18:31:15Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > The water is safe to drink pretty much everywhere in Europe, I think. Pffh, have you been to London? It’s a vile excuse for H2O in the pipes there! FWIW, I’ve only ever seen the squat style loos at the [Samaria Gorge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samari%C3%A1_Gorge) in Europe. There’s not much plumbing halfway down a 16km ravine, so I think they can be excused. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hairy\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@The\_Hairy\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hairy_One)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/73 "2012-02-01T19:16:49Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > Pffh, have you been to London? It’s a vile excuse for H2O in the pipes there! > > FWIW, I’ve only ever seen the squat style loos at the [Samaria Gorge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samari%C3%A1_Gorge) in Europe. There’s not much plumbing halfway down a 16km ravine, so I think they can be excused. OK, you don’t like the taste - but how is it unsafe? ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/74 "2012-02-01T19:33:48Z")
> [@The\_Hairy\_One](#): > > OK, you don’t like the taste - but how is it unsafe? I’ve died from it at least three times since Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/75 "2012-02-01T20:07:52Z")
What’s a “poop shelf”? From the context it sounds like it is neither a hole in the floor type squat toilet nor a porcelain throne type sitting toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/76 "2012-02-01T20:10:39Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > What’s a “poop shelf”? From the context it sounds like it is neither a hole in the floor type squat toilet nor a porcelain throne type sitting toilet. It’s a throne type sitting toilet with a shelf in the bowl. The flush slides the shite off the shelf into the downpipe. Here’s an article with pics: [http://blog.young-germany.de/2010/02/on-the-ledge-german-toilets/](http://blog.young-germany.de/2010/02/on-the-ledge-german-toilets/) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/77 "2012-02-01T20:11:47Z")
No, it’s a regular sitting toilet, but the bowl isn’t quite bowl-shaped – it has a shallow end and a deep end, like a swimming pool. Towards the front, it is very shallow and is usually not submerged in the water and your poop tends to stay on that “shelf” until you flush. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/78 "2012-02-01T20:54:29Z")
Yes, so you can slice it up and examine it. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023/79 "2012-02-01T21:12:25Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > If the question were phrased differently - without the denigrating attitude The denigrating attitude is entirely in your head. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilets-and-drinking-water-in-se-europe/611023.md?page=3)