The proper way 'to go'

[Icacos]

This image has been posted recently on the forum, and some persons - myself included - have made light of it. However, I'm being serious here.

Aside from the drawing (which is what was made light of) the words above the drawing say, "Here, it is like this." I'm struggling with how to put this delicately, but in Europe is sitting on the toilet the proper way for a man to go when he needs to do number 1? Is this what mothers teach their little boys? I think if this is so then, as visitors to Europe, (not I personally, being a female) we need to be aware of this.

I say this because where I live one sees from time to time, signs in women's bathrooms advising women to sit on the toilet seat, and not stand on it and then squat to do one's business, the latter being the accepted way in some parts of the world, but not in North America.

It seems to me that the arguments can go all over the place, but my take is that it's a matter of just trying to keep the bathroom clean. A woman squatting down on a toilet seat - as opposed to sitting - can make an awful mess, the same as a man standing up to go, especially if he is not careful with his aim.

The world is a small place and I think we need to be aware of different cultural habits and to respect them. My question still stands: Do mothers in Europe teach their little boys to sit to go number one [sorry, I just can't use the other word] and not stand 'like Daddy' as we do here?

 

[SabsP]

Not that I know of.Although lots of urologists/ doctors advice man to sit down on toilet when reaching a certain age.

 

[Turga]

Your question is relevant. But first of all you have to understand, that Europe is not a culturally unified entity, it consists of 28 countries/states with very different cultural habits. I can answer for my own country only (Denmark) and here we are generally not taught to sit down when doing 'number 1'

 

[Pelegrin]

In Spain we are not taught to sit down either. I found on Internet only Germany and Sweden.

 

[Canuck]

... to go number one [sorry, I just can't use the other word]...

Why? What's wrong with the word ''urinate''?

 

[Turga]

In Spain we are not taught to sit down either. I found on Internet only Germany and Sweden.

Germany and Sweden! That really surprises me -I hope some of our friends from those countries will chime in...

 

[Turga]

As a digressio I can add, that in the 1960ties when the women’s rights movement peaked around here, some men adopted the ‘sitting-down behavior’ in a sort of demonstration of solidarity with the movement (and, of course, they were very ‘open’ about it) but it wasn’t a phenomenon that stood the test of time

 

[Turga]

I remember the first time I went to Italy (Europe) many years ago and had to use the toilet in a (quite good) restaurant. I remember standing there in the half-darkness wondering what to do as there was no toilet, only a hole in the floor!

 

[Icacos]

Why? What's wrong with the word ''urinate''?

Actually, that is a good word; I didn't think of that. It's the other word I have difficulty with.

 

[Kathar1na]

Germany and Sweden! That really surprises me -I hope some of our friends from those countries will chime in...

http://www.allwelike.com/2012/06/sw...ake-urinating-while-standing-illegal-for-men/

Never heard of it being common in Germany or France but you read about such demands from time to time, mainly by women who are usually the ones who have to clean the toilet - or, more likely, are annoyed because the lid thing is still up after use. The image is apparently taken from Sörmland.

 

[sugargypsy]

In Germany that issue is sometimes discussed, but it depends on the parents whether they teach that their children or not. But there are labels being sold about that matter, for instance this one :

 

[Icacos]

.......because the lid thing is still up after use.

The 'lid thing'?! You mean the seat ! They can't even put the seat back down! Aargh

 

[Icacos]

In Germany that issue is sometimes discussed, but it depends on the parents wether they teach that their children or not. But there are labels being sold about that matter, for instance this one :

This is supposed to be a serious thread !

 

[Kathar1na]

The 'lid thing'?! You mean the seat !

YES! Couldn't think of the word in English for the moment. I knew it wasn't "spectacles" (lunette in France, Brille in Germany).

 

[Icacos]

I think that @Kathar1na has come up with the most plausible explanation - that these signs are put up mainly by women who clean the bathrooms. Perhaps they would do better with signs suggesting that men aim for the downward slope of the toilet bowl, to decrease the velocity and eventual backsplash. Sorry, perhaps this is TMI.

 

[KinkyOne]

This is getting funny

 

[Icacos]

This is getting funny

Hmmm - how so ?

 

[KinkyOne]

Hmmm - how so ?

As a male I'll just lurk

 

[Purky]

The manager of the cleaning department at Schiphol Airport had a great idea in the early 1990s. Thanks to the man who liked the idea (and was in charge of terminal extensions and renovations), the management decided to give the idea a chance. Thus the urinal fly was born: the image of a fly in all urinals, just above the drain and a bit to the left. After a lot of juggling with numbers, the claim is made that this saves up to 8% of the total budget for cleaning the public toilets at the airport.

The idea wasn't new though. According to the owner and manager of Thomas Crapper & Co (nomen est omen...), which manufactures period sanitary ware, The Victorians used pictures of bees as aiming spots in their urinals. "The bee was put on as an unusually vulgar Victorian joke. The Latin for bee is apis. Victorian gentlemen would have been schooled in Latin and would have got this joke, which would be lost on us now."

Lavatory humour, it never gets old.

 

[Icacos]

Well then, the simple solution is for all bathrooms to have both a toilet bowl, and a urinal with a bee on it.

Now I have to go do some research on that unusually vulgar Victorian joke.

 

[nycwalking]

This is for squatting purposes: Please be sweet and wipe the seat.

 

[trecile]

As a male I'll just lurk

So, you're sitting this one out?

 

[Biff]

What ever you're comfortable with.

 

[Kathar1na]

Germany and Sweden! That really surprises me -I hope some of our friends from those countries will chime in...

If you read German, google Sitzpinkler and Stefan Hank - you will find a number of hilarious articles in reputed newspapers about a 2015 court case where the judge did not hide his sense of humour in the sentence. BBC News has a summary: German court rules that men can urinate while standing

And here we have (in English) the complete German Toilet Rules including an infographic on How to use the brush: http://saubere-toilette.de/infographic-german-toilet-rules/

@Icacos: You did ask ...

 

[KinkyOne]

...Thus the urinal fly was born: the image of a fly in all urinals, just above the drain and a bit to the left. ...

Few years ago in the time of (don't really remember) European or World Football (soccer) Championship a small private firm was selling small soccer goals with footballs on a string and they put them in urinals in the bars with TV, just above the drain. I must admit it was fun targeting those footballs with all the beer we drank

 

[Marbe2]

I think that @Kathar1na has come up with the most plausible explanation - that these signs are put up mainly by women who clean the bathrooms. Perhaps they would do better with signs suggesting that men aim for the downward slope of the toilet bowl, to decrease the velocity and eventual backsplash. Sorry, perhaps this is TMI.

This is for squatting purposes: Please be sweet and wipe the seat.

How about, If you should sprinkle while you tinkle please be neat and clean the seat! I believe that is the pet peeve of women!

 

[Icacos]

The manager of the cleaning department at Schiphol Airport had a great idea in the early 1990s. Thanks to the man who liked the idea (and was in charge of terminal extensions and renovations), the management decided to give the idea a chance. Thus the urinal fly was born: the image of a fly in all urinals, just above the drain and a bit to the left. After a lot of juggling with numbers, the claim is made that this saves up to 8% of the total budget for cleaning the public toilets at the airport.

The idea wasn't new though. According to the owner and manager of Thomas Crapper & Co (nomen est omen...), which manufactures period sanitary ware, The Victorians used pictures of bees as aiming spots in their urinals. "The bee was put on as an unusually vulgar Victorian joke. The Latin for bee is apis. Victorian gentlemen would have been schooled in Latin and would have got this joke, which would be lost on us now."

Lavatory humour, it never gets old.

Apis - I finally got it, and I didn’t even have to do the research. My mind doesn’t naturally stray to those low levels, my being so couth and all.

 

[domigee]

Hmmm - how so ?

Because I for one have no idea what you all are on about

 

[Tincatinker]

Apis - I finally got it

Hey, @Icacos, you can count yourself a Victorian!

 

[SabsP]

Because I for one have no idea what you all are on about

Come over come over to that non serious thread...you have a zillion posts to catch up on...

 

[Icacos]

Hey, @Icacos, you can count yourself a Victorian!

Quite so, quite so.

@Kathar1na, I will enjoy reading those links later. Right now I am working - loosely yes, but still working.

 

[Dinkumdigger]

And here we have (in English) the complete German Toilet Rules including an infographic on How to use the brush: http://saubere-toilette.de/infographic-german-toilet-rules/

The best laugh I've had for a while,thanks.

 

[domigee]

Come over come over to that non serious thread...you have a zillion posts to catch up on...

Give me a chance, lolol

 

[Former member 49149]

Give me a chance, lolol

So glad to see you!

 

[Davey Boyd]

Sign in toilet at gite Hernandez in Lasbros France on the Le Puy route. I thought it was strange that it was in English!

 

[Icacos]

Sign in toilet at gite Hernandez in Lasbros France on the Le Puy route. I thought it was strange that it was in English!View attachment 45492

That's what I mean ... seat and lid left up. Aargh !!!

 

[JabbaPapa]

in Europe is sitting on the toilet the proper way for a man to go when he needs to do number 1?

Certainly not.

 

[Icacos]

Certainly not.

Yes, we've figured that out, and have had a few laughs in the process.

 

[Icacos]

Then there's this that I just came across. So now I'm totally confused. Perhaps you guys should just go whichever way works for you. Just make sure you've removed all evidence when you've finished....and put the seat and lid back down.

 

[JillGat]

As a digressio I can add, that in the 1960ties when the women’s rights movement peaked around here, some men adopted the ‘sitting-down behavior’ in a sort of demonstration of solidarity with the movement (and, of course, they were very ‘open’ about it) but it wasn’t a phenomenon that stood the test of time

That's officially the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. (Also, I think there are a few other ways to more effectively show solidarity...)

 

[Kathar1na]

That's officially the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. (Also, I think there are a few other ways to more effectively show solidarity...)

@stgcph wasn't arguing a case, he was trying to describe social views/developments in parts of modern society and they are still present and to the point, not only for Denmark but also for Germany. In these and other countries, a "peeing while sitting down" culture for men has developed during the last decades. Heated discussions about plus and minusses of this practice are conducted and the arguments are partly feminist, partly health centered. (Not my words, I summed up an article I read just now). Because it's apparently such a fascinating subject - witness this thread - it gets a lot more attention than it deserves.

 

[Kathar1na]

So now I'm totally confused. Perhaps you guys should just go whichever way works for you.

It's not only the guys that are confused. I think it was at Brussels airport that I went to the ladies' toilet, opened the door to the first stall and was confronted with a urinal. I was totally puzzled, closed the door again - and have avoided these things ever since - and went to the next stall. At the time, I had NO clue how to use the thing. I know now, at least in theory.

I had travelled in France and North Africa and I had also been on trekkings, so different "ways to go" were not unfamiliar to me at the time.

 

[Turga]

That's officially the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. (Also, I think there are a few other ways to more effectively show solidarity...)

Totally agree….

 

[David Tallan]

That's officially the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

Count yourself fortunate. I wish I could say the same.

 

[Paladina]

Thanks for the enlightening debate. I’d like to pose a supplementary question: what, other than one’s own excreta, may one flush down a Spanish toilet? In Ireland, toilet paper goes in the toilet, sanitary towels etc. in the closed bin, hand towels in the open bin or waste paper basket. Spanish disposal customs seem to vary by province and/or plumbing capability. The lack of clarity in the instructions for waste disposal in one albergue on the VdlP read: PROHIBIDO TIRAR BASURA. Por favor no arrojen cosas al vater, accompanied by the distinctly unhelpful English translation: please do not throw things at water. The non-Spanish-speaking gentleman who used the facilities before me might thus be excused his literal interpretation of the sanitary rules, but he left behind him a malodorous bathroom and an offensive mess for someone else to dispose of.

 

[C clearly]

At the time, I had NO clue how to use the thing. I know now, at least in theory.

And how would that be, in theory?

 

[Gareth Griffith]

Whilst we're on the subject of toilet signs

 

[ricrog]

I decided to demonstrate solidarity with the 'wimmin's' rights movement by having a movement of my own, however the solidarity was sadly lacking!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Germany and Sweden! That really surprises me -I hope some of our friends from those countries will chime in...

Maybe the wrong thread.
Don't know where this elephant come from but he is sitting .

 

[Turga]

Maybe the wrong thread.
Don't know where this elephant come from but he is sitting .

Definitely a Swedish elephant

 

[JillGat]

Count yourself fortunate. I wish I could say the same.

Well, yeah, now that you mention it..

 

[JillGat]

I decided to demonstrate solidarity with the 'wimmin's' rights movement by having a movement of my own, however the solidarity was sadly lacking!

one of the feminist Fun Runs?

 

[JillGat]

 

[Yoyo]

I am German and I taught my two sons (and my non-German husband ) to urinate sitting down on the toilet at home where we know the seat is always clean, but to urinate standing in public toilets. Same with me: sitting down at home, squatting in public toilets.

 

[SabsP]

I do not want to minimalise some people's feelings at all but I really feel that we can count ourselves lucky to live in houses that have a toilet to begin with.And running water to flush.
Also I strongly believe , and science backs this, that we become more ill because our standards of hygiehe have never been better.

 

[Stivandrer]

In my schooldays I remember the fly in the urinal bowl.
- when they were changed to a brand called Shanks, I duly changed it with a marker to Thanks...

 

[jmcarp]

The manager of the cleaning department at Schiphol Airport had a great idea in the early 1990s. Thanks to the man who liked the idea (and was in charge of terminal extensions and renovations), the management decided to give the idea a chance. Thus the urinal fly was born: the image of a fly in all urinals, just above the drain and a bit to the left. After a lot of juggling with numbers, the claim is made that this saves up to 8% of the total budget for cleaning the public toilets at the airport.

The idea wasn't new though. According to the owner and manager of Thomas Crapper & Co (nomen est omen...), which manufactures period sanitary ware, The Victorians used pictures of bees as aiming spots in their urinals. "The bee was put on as an unusually vulgar Victorian joke. The Latin for bee is apis. Victorian gentlemen would have been schooled in Latin and would have got this joke, which would be lost on us now."

Lavatory humour, it never gets old.

This reminds me of a sign I saw in a men's lavatory somewhere: "We aim to keep this place clean -- your aim will help." There ought to be a world-wide law that this sign should be posted in all men's (and in unisex) lavatories/loos/restrooms/water closets/servicios and whatever they're called in other countries.

Edit: For those for whom English is a second language, in American colloquial speech the term "We aim to..." means the same as "Our goal is to..." or "Our intent is to...".

 

[Marbe2]

Then there's this that I just came across. So now I'm totally confused. Perhaps you guys should just go whichever way works for you. Just make sure you've removed all evidence when you've finished....and put the seat and lid back down.

Now that is a good survey for the entire EU. All men should become sitzpinkler(n)! Imagine how much drier, if not cleaner the toilets would be on the planes and trains and bathrooms.

 

[jmcarp]

Not exactly on topic, but in the general vein:

 

[malingerer]

Not exactly on topic, but in the general vein:

You takin the piss surely

 

[Icacos]

Not exactly on topic, but in the general vein:

Aaah, Bizarro! One of my favourites.

 

[Icacos]

one of the feminist Fun Runs?

Oh, dear !!

 

[drvnsmiln]

With a husband and six boys in the family, the bathroom could have turned into disaster. I trained my boys (but not my husband) to “go” sitting down. Now, at least once or twice a year my daughter-in-law thanks me that her husband sits. Her two boys sit also! (The hand that rocks the cradle......)

 

[Kathar1na]

And how would that be, in theory?

In the interest of the international forum community, I might test sit on / test stand over / test hover over that particular model next time I go through Brussels airport. At the time, I thought I had to approach it like men do, facing it, but it's apparently the other way round.

While I was looking for a photo or instructions on the internet, without success, I learnt that Brussels airport was going to install waterless urinals some time ago - they are following the example of other airports around the globe, they say.

 

[Thurland]

In Germany that issue is sometimes discussed, but it depends on the parents whether they teach that their children or not. But there are labels being sold about that matter, for instance this one :

Bwahahah !!!

 

[Icacos]

In the interest of the international forum community, I might test sit on / test stand over / test hover over that particular model next time I go through Brussels airport. At the time, I thought I had to approach it like men do, facing it, but it's apparently the other way round.

While I was looking for a photo or instructions on the internet, without success, I learnt that Brussels airport was going to install waterless urinals some time ago - they are following the example of other airports around the globe, they say.

I hesitate to say this, in the interest of decorum, but I suggest you test it standing up. Going back to my early childhood, I recall my brother and boy cousins (probably between six and eight) deciding to have a contest to see who could 'go' the furthest - the staging ground was going to be a rock outcrop with the sea about fifteen feet below. One of my girl cousins (probably around eleven) decided to join in. She won the contest by a long shot. Er, no pun intended.

 

[Kathar1na]

She won the contest by a long shot. Er, no pun intended.

@Icacos, it doesn't happen often that I read something on the internet that causes me to cover my eyes with my hand and giggle but can confirm that such a moment has been reached. {no suitable icon available}

 

[KinkyOne]

I wrote few days back that this thread is getting funny.
Told ya

 

[tpmchugh]

The 'lid thing'?! You mean the seat ! They can't even put the seat back down! Aargh

They say men forget to put the seat back down, I say women forget to put it back up

 

[Jeff Crawley]

The manager of the cleaning department at Schiphol Airport had a great idea in the early 1990s. Thanks to the man who liked the idea (and was in charge of terminal extensions and renovations), the management decided to give the idea a chance. Thus the urinal fly was born: the image of a fly in all urinals, just above the drain and a bit to the left. After a lot of juggling with numbers, the claim is made that this saves up to 8% of the total budget for cleaning the public toilets at the airport.

The idea wasn't new though. According to the owner and manager of Thomas Crapper & Co (nomen est omen...), which manufactures period sanitary ware, The Victorians used pictures of bees as aiming spots in their urinals. "The bee was put on as an unusually vulgar Victorian joke. The Latin for bee is apis. Victorian gentlemen would have been schooled in Latin and would have got this joke, which would be lost on us now."

Lavatory humour, it never gets old.

As the old Latin tag goes ITI SAPIS SPOTANDA BIGONE

 

[Jeff Crawley]

waterless urinals[/URL] some time ago - they are following the example of other airports around the globe, they say.

Which, unless maintained rigorously, stink like fury.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

It's not only the guys that are confused. I think it was at Brussels airport that I went to the ladies' toilet, opened the door to the first stall and was confronted with a urinal. I was totally puzzled, closed the door again - and have avoided these things ever since - and went to the next stall. At the time, I had NO clue how to use the thing. I know now, at least in theory.

I had travelled in France and North Africa and I had also been on trekkings, so different "ways to go" were not unfamiliar to me at the time.

Travelling south from Canada through Minnesota one winter a group of us stopped at a woodland "rest station" where the men's urinals were stainless steel funnels mounted on tubes let into the ground similar to US Army Pee Tubes.

Howls of laughter from our lady friends who had a similar device - think of a stainless steel bedpan reimagined by Edvard Munch ("The Scream"). The girls presumed that you were supposed to er straddle the device but, as one of them put it, if a bare thigh touched stainless steel at 0 degrees F you could be stuck against it until Spring thaw!

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Actually, that is a good word; I didn't think of that. It's the other word I have difficulty with.

"Micturition"?

 

[Jeff Crawley]

@Icacos, it doesn't happen often that I read something on the internet that causes me to cover my eyes with my hand and giggle but can confirm that such a moment has been reached. {no suitable icon available}

Kathar1na - I think you are Danish no?
This might similarly raise a smile or eyebrow - broad mindedness is required! It was forwarded on to me by a (female) Canadian pilgrim with the comment that it gave a whole new meaning to penis envy!
Now you too can write your name in the snow!

 

[Storyteller Matt]

In Spain we are not taught to sit down either. I found on Internet only Germany and Sweden.

I've seen that sign also in the Istanbul airport in Turkey, but nowhere else.

 

[Icacos]

I've checked this out with two male family members. I was told that I'd have to go very far to find anyone who would be shocked at the thought of a man sitting down to conduct the business of number one (this is not what I asked them, but that's beside the point). And both men said they sit for nighttime bathroom visits, because they don't want to turn on the light.

I will say no more on this subject.