What is it with British toilets

DH is convinced that Americans are obsessed with toilets.  I fear he thinks this thread just proves his point further still. 

When we were on holiday in Morocco, whenever we heard Americans talking nearby - inevitably they were talking about toilets.  (Okay I was too.)  Granted, there is certainly an interesting variety of toilet accommodations there...

 

This thread reminds me of my first visit to the UK to meet my now husband in person for the first time.  He couldn't pick me up at the airport so I ended up traveling by several trains to his little town.  I'd already spent hours on end at an airport here and then the flight, then more hours traveling so I was more than ready and in desperate need of a shower.  I booked into the little B&B I was going to stay in the first few days and couldn't wait to take one. I tried and tried, but there was nothing I could do to get hot water to come out, just ice cold.  I was trying to hurry and finally had to give up.  I took the quickest, coldest shower ever.

Later that night I told him I was going to have to talk to the gal that ran the B&B and let her know something was up with the hot water when he started laughing, laughing to the point of tears running down his face.  He walked me into the bathroom and flicked this mystery switch on the wall and voila!  Hot water!  I had never seen or even heard of a hot water heater above the shower tap. Boy, did I feel like an idiot, but was so glad he'd told me before I had a chance to complain. 

Now, I don't want it to sound like he was laughing so hard just over that as it sounds kind of mean, but I'd just finished spending 20 minutes trying to work the electric kettle in the room, only to discover you had to turn the electrical outlet on    He was super sweet about it, he just really got a laugh out of it.  I did too! We still chuckle now about it.

The toilet in that room was terrible though.  I couldn't get it to flush, not once.  Talk about getting to know each other, nothing like having to have someone else help you flush a toilet.  Good thing we ended up getting married  

The church where I did my training (at their playgroup) had pull chain toilets way too high for three year olds to reach, we always had to flush for them.

YES! Y. E. S.
Love this thread. 

I found the technique to handle flushes is to jerk down really quick then hold for awhile vs. the American with more of a gliding push than quick release.

This is why I was so excited when we found out our current flat had a push button toilet. Of course now we have the problem where it is easy to flush, but does not flush entirely. 

I found the technique to handle flushes is to jerk down really quick then hold for awhile vs. the American with more of a gliding push than quick release.

I just love the fact that someone is discussing flush technique.

As the OP of this thread, it's nice to know that I'm not alone.

The church where I did my training (at their playgroup) had pull chain toilets way too high for three year olds to reach, we always had to flush for them.

I always tell the children that are potty training/are potty trained to "pull the chain", and even though it's got a flusher lever(is there another, better name for it?) they always know what I mean! Never fails to amaze me!

DH is convinced that Americans are obsessed with toilets.  I fear he thinks this thread just proves his point further still. 

When we were on holiday in Morocco, whenever we heard Americans talking nearby - inevitably they were talking about toilets.  (Okay I was too.)  Granted, there is certainly an interesting variety of toilet accommodations there...

 

Oh man, squat toilets are the worst!  I end up just having to take all of my pants (both American and British varieties) entirely off to squat or I get pee all over everything.  Luckily, in both Morocco and Korea I stayed in places with Western toilets so I've never had to do more than pee in squats.  Although, I guess, that if I had a clean place to experiment (aka, not a public restroom), I might be able to figure out better how to use them. 

After a month in China, I was a pro at the squat toilets.  Still I hate them!

However, apparently western toilets cause more problems with hernias and other abdominal issues since its not a natural way for the muscles to be - it's less pressure to do your business squatting than sitting. (Don't quote me, I don't have time to look for a link or find contrary evidence right now )

After a month in China, I was a pro at the squat toilets.  Still I hate them!

However, apparently western toilets cause more problems with hernias and other abdominal issues since its not a natural way for the muscles to be - it's less pressure to do your business squatting than sitting. (Don't quote me, I don't have time to look for a link or find contrary evidence right now )

You are right pb, I have read this in more than one place.

As have I.  The higher the toilet the worse it is.

I must be a pro (at squat toilets - for a wee) after all our extended walks in the countryside here - having to wee where the bears do (if there were bears here anyway).    (DH says he thinks I secretly like weeing in the wilderness more than I do in a proper toilet.  )

I also liked the toilets in Morocco where there was a woman handing out the squares of toilet paper before you entered the stall - and of course, you tipped her for it.  Now that's a great enterprise because it's something you really need!    (she was nice though & encouraged you to take as many squares as you thought you would need)

Thing that always surprises me about toilet anxieties...  Is everyone really listening (paying attention) to what everyone else is doing in the next stall?  I mean what activity is taking place, whether someone flushes or not, or washes their hands, etc?  I know I can't be bothered - I'm just there to sort myself out & move on, not to worry about what someone else is doing in the toilet (and honestly, I don't really want to know either!).  And I don't think others are that much interested in me & my toilet habits either. 

As have I.  The higher the toilet the worse it is.

That's why it is recommended sometimes to put your feet on a footstool when you sit on the throne.

When we first moved in with my in-laws neither of my kids (8&5) could flush the toilets.  My in-laws were shocked as if I'd never taught them to flush or something!    When I mentioned that I used to have a terrible time with British toilets myself, there was much eye-rolling and laughter.

DH is convinced that Americans are obsessed with toilets.

Hee hee!  Maybe we are!

We recently spent a day at Porthcawl and my British husband and I both noticed what good "Public Conveniences" they had leftover from 1924 I think.  Both the Gentlemen's and the Ladies' were clean.  There was no graffiti on the wooden doors or tiled walls.  The pull-chain toilets worked.  There was toilet paper, soap and hot water.  Somehow even the stained glass window over the door had not been broken?

They did have separate taps though.    

My in-laws were shocked as if I'd never taught them to flush or something!

Gah!  What kind of mother are you?!  

You should have told them that we never have to flush toilets in the paradise that is the USA - that it's all automatically done.  Wiping too!  

(Btw, good thing this toilet thing is in the Airing Cupboard!)

I went to the most strange/modern british toilet yesterday... Easiest flush since I moved here! Anyway, the strange part was the door to the stall: it was see-through unless you properly locked it, which made it change colour to prevent anyone from seeing you do your business. The weirdest bit is that it was in a tiny bar had been converted from a former public loo.