International Guide to ToiletsBy: Patrick J. Kiger
Editor: Amanda Arnold  One of the most befuddling -- and often pressing -- dilemmas travelers face abroad is figuring out what do to when, uh, nature calls. There's a peculiar irony to this, given that humans have found it necessary to perform this biological function since time immemorial, and specialized facilities and equipment have been making the task more pleasant and sanitary since ancient times. According to popular historian Joel Levy, the first primitive flush toilet, which used an overhead reservoir for flushing, was developed by the Minoans in 2000 B.C., and the Romans and ancient Chinese further advanced the design. Modern-style toilets first emerged during the late Victorian era, when wood and stone toilets were replaced by porcelain, and plumbers invented the siphon system, which enabled users to draw a regulated amount of water into the bowl with the pull of a chain or flick of a handle. Toilet paper on a roll, invented by the American Scott brothers in the 1880s, was another innovation that spread far and wide. Nevertheless, there are significant variations in toilet customs, etiquette and technology around the world, and a savvy sojourner would do well to master them in order to avoid discomfort or a mortifying faux pas. Here are some useful tips. |
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