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Just speculation, but I suspect the American design is better at containing smells. Sure, that's also solvable by just promptly flushing, but I wonder if this i

by jey 9y ago

Just speculation, but I suspect the American design is better at containing smells. Sure, that's also solvable by just promptly flushing, but I wonder if this is a calculated decision by manufacturers to avoid getting a reputation for "smelly toilets" caused by people sitting on the throne reading the day's paper or whatever.

fiblye 9y ago
Having used both American-style toilets and first world-style toilets, I'd say the former is stinkier simply because there are often remnants left behind after people give up/toilets get clogged. Throughout my life in America, I saw clogged and filthy toilets more times per year than I could possibly count. Honestly, I was always a little afraid using the toilet when I ate a little too much the day before since there was a good chance of being clogged. Clogged toilets are comparatively rare in other countries I've been to, and I've never personally clogged one outside of America (yet).
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago
  I've had the same experience. I've never had a toilet clog while living in Norway. I even asked where the plunger was (I moved to Norway through marriage, so I could ask all sorts of questions).
- paganel 9y ago
  I have pretty much the same opinion about US-like toilets: I don't get them. There's only one public US-like toilet that I know of in the entire European city where I'm currently living (inside of a KFC restaurant) and it's always strange when you use it. I actively prefer the toilet from the McDonald's restaurant that is just 50 meters away. If it matters my post about the public toilets from my city was chosen as one of the 2 posts of the year on my country-specific sub-reddit, I even had my best friend message me with a link to it telling me about how his co-workers were talking about how they had found "the local George Constanza" on that sub-reddit, so suffice is to say that I know a thing or two about public toilets :)
arkades 9y ago
So I’m not the only one that thinks European toilets seem purpose built to punch you in the face with odor?

by jey 9y ago

fiblye 9y ago

Having used both American-style toilets and first world-style toilets, I'd say the former is stinkier simply because there are often remnants left behind after people give up/toilets get clogged. Throughout my life in America, I saw clogged and filthy toilets more times per year than I could possibly count. Honestly, I was always a little afraid using the toilet when I ate a little too much the day before since there was a good chance of being clogged. Clogged toilets are comparatively rare in other countries I've been to, and I've never personally clogged one outside of America (yet).

Broken_Hippo 9y ago
I've had the same experience. I've never had a toilet clog while living in Norway. I even asked where the plunger was (I moved to Norway through marriage, so I could ask all sorts of questions).
paganel 9y ago
I have pretty much the same opinion about US-like toilets: I don't get them. There's only one public US-like toilet that I know of in the entire European city where I'm currently living (inside of a KFC restaurant) and it's always strange when you use it. I actively prefer the toilet from the McDonald's restaurant that is just 50 meters away. If it matters my post about the public toilets from my city was chosen as one of the 2 posts of the year on my country-specific sub-reddit, I even had my best friend message me with a link to it telling me about how his co-workers were talking about how they had found "the local George Constanza" on that sub-reddit, so suffice is to say that I know a thing or two about public toilets :)

arkades 9y ago

So I’m not the only one that thinks European toilets seem purpose built to punch you in the face with odor?