Amsterdam Red Light District
Preparing for his first trip overseas, the parents of a young man added two packs of toilet paper to the young fella’s luggage. When he asked why, he was told that in Europe and many other countries around the world, toilet paper was in short supply or simply not available.
This is certainly true in parts of India, China, Singapore, and Korea. Further, in some countries, for instance, France, bidets are installed in homes and hotels. Toilet paper may be nowhere to be found.
However, it turns out toilets and toilet paper were not a problem for this traveling chap. Finding a place to urinate was the big issue.
Several travel writers have also run into the problem. As a result, they now offer some suggestions as to where to urinate when traveling to different cities and countries around the world:
Amsterdam - Very Practical.
This city began installing public, open-air urinals about one hundred years ago, thanks to Amsterdam's famous redlight district. Initially, it helped prevent gentlemen from urinating in this part of town, but soon men asked for them to be installed all over the city - and city administrators answered the call. Today, they are considered very practical and are located all over town.
Paris – High Tech to Go.
When it comes to public outdoor urinals, the most high-tech and certainly the most sanitary are those installed in the City of Lights – Paris. They are disinfected after every use and are designed to indeed be a rest stop. Gentlemen can comfortably stay in these restrooms for twenty minutes. After that, the urinal lets you know it's time to go – I mean, leave the restroom.
London – Old but Friendly.
London's first public restroom was installed in February 1852, and some included not one but two toilets, one for men and one for women, separated by a wall. Essentially, these became some of the first unisex restrooms in the world. People were so happy to have them that friendships often developed - in the restroom. Londoners say it's one reason London is one of the friendliest big cities in the world.
India and China –Yucky.
India and China are huge countries, and public restrooms in Beijing, China, and Delhi may be much cleaner and healthier than those in other parts of the country.
But the big problem with urinals in India and China is that they are so old, often made with brick tiles. Over the years, the bricks have absorbed millions of gallons of urine. Ridding them of the yucky urine smell is impossible. Yet they remain, used by millions of men daily.
German and Japan – Please sit.
In some countries, urinating while standing is considered rude and undignified. Restrooms in these countries may even have signs encouraging men to take a seat and not stand. For the most part, German and Japanese men are very accepting of this practice. Like people all over the Western world, they are glued to their phones. Sitting allows them to not need to fiddle with their phones when relieving themselves.
The United States – No, No, No
Only a few U.S. cities have public, open-air urinals. In most of this country, you're on your own, and must look for a secluded alley or find a large trashcan.
However, beware. Some areas of the country are strict about this. Public urination is illegal in every state, but enforcement varies considerably. If caught in some localities, expect to pay a hefty fine – even jail time for a repeat offender.
Apps to the Rescue
While it was a clever idea for the young man to pack toilet paper before traveling, what might prove to be an even better idea was to know where public urinals or restrooms are in every city he visited. And now he can.
Apps have been developed listing public restrooms available in some cities, including here in the U.S. Reliving yourself just got safer, easier, and you won't break the law.
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