Toilets are a subject that needs to be addressed when traveling. Westerners especially tend to think that the world revolves around them and their standards will be met in other countries. Well, in Taiwan, there are toilets, and there are toilets. One fancy hotel in Danshui had the European bidet version with so many buttons you weren't sure what you were getting, there are the western toilets, and then there are the Taiwanese versions.
Public restrooms may offer both the western toilet and the Taiwanese version. Most have a picture on the door to show you what you are getting. Also, if you have to step up in the stall, chances are you are going local.
Public men's bathrooms have a view of the urinals from the outside. There are also stalls similar to womens with labelling on the doors.
Okay, now for toilet paper. Some bathrooms have it and some don't. This could mean that they have run out or it could mean you should have provided your own.
Little packages of kleenex tissue and wet wipes are a must at all times. I saw one bathroom that actually had the tissue at the entrance. You walk in, get your tissue and proceed to a stall. But again, I stress you should always be prepared.
Step three, after you take care of business...Some bathrooms you can dispose of soiled tissue in the toilet, but some you cannot. These will ask you to dispose of the tissue in the waste basket. But not to worry, most have an attendant that comes in after you and cleans out the trash.
I am not a bathroom inspector and there were a lot of opportunities to view the facilities, but all in all, the places I visited both in the city and in the tourist areas mentioned in other blogs, I found that the bathrooms were very clean and kept up a lot more frequently than I have noticed in the states. Being prepared (tissue, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer) , there should be no inconvenience in using the facilities anywhere in Taiwan.
On a lighter note, you can also use smaller versions of the local plumbing for your eating pleasure.
There is at least one restaurant that uses this as its theme. It's called the Modern Toilet Restaurant.
http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/about.asp
Taiwan standard viewed from above |
Public restrooms may offer both the western toilet and the Taiwanese version. Most have a picture on the door to show you what you are getting. Also, if you have to step up in the stall, chances are you are going local.
Public men's bathrooms have a view of the urinals from the outside. There are also stalls similar to womens with labelling on the doors.
Okay, now for toilet paper. Some bathrooms have it and some don't. This could mean that they have run out or it could mean you should have provided your own.
Tissue, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer are a MUST! |
Little packages of kleenex tissue and wet wipes are a must at all times. I saw one bathroom that actually had the tissue at the entrance. You walk in, get your tissue and proceed to a stall. But again, I stress you should always be prepared.
Step three, after you take care of business...Some bathrooms you can dispose of soiled tissue in the toilet, but some you cannot. These will ask you to dispose of the tissue in the waste basket. But not to worry, most have an attendant that comes in after you and cleans out the trash.
I am not a bathroom inspector and there were a lot of opportunities to view the facilities, but all in all, the places I visited both in the city and in the tourist areas mentioned in other blogs, I found that the bathrooms were very clean and kept up a lot more frequently than I have noticed in the states. Being prepared (tissue, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer) , there should be no inconvenience in using the facilities anywhere in Taiwan.
On a lighter note, you can also use smaller versions of the local plumbing for your eating pleasure.
There is at least one restaurant that uses this as its theme. It's called the Modern Toilet Restaurant.
http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/about.asp
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