The International Toilet Experience: An Ode to Odors, Colors, and Culturally Questionable Surfaces

Ah, the universal truth: no matter where you travel in the world, your bladder always finds a way to remind you of its importance. When you enter a foreign country, your first real cultural experience might be the bathroom. There’s no better way to get to know a place than by how it handles its restrooms—and, let’s be honest, how we handle them.

Let’s start with the smells. In some countries, the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine, lavender, or perhaps the faintest hint of vanilla. But in public bathrooms? Let’s just say it’s a different kind of fragrance. In Italy, you may be graced with the musky, medicinal aroma of a public restroom cleaner that’s clearly been there for years. Meanwhile, in India, the pervasive scent of mystery—often coming from the floor tiles—leaves you wondering if the rest of the bathroom is a lost civilization of its own. You may not ever be able to name the exact smell, but you’ll know it well by the time you finish.

Now, let’s talk about colour coordination, or rather, the lack of it. European bathrooms seem to love the minimalist vibe. Sleek white tiles. Cool, dark grout. A subtle ode to simplicity… until you step on a tacky tile that definitely wasn’t designed for human feet. In Asia, it’s the bold colour choices that steal the show—think bright yellows, neon greens, and the occasional shocking pink. The aesthetic may seem a bit loud, but you’ll certainly never forget the trip.

And then, the surfaces. Oh, the surfaces. Some countries opt for the “wet room” approach, where everything gets drenched, from the floor to the walls and even the ceiling if you’re lucky. Other places feature that strangely sticky hand dryer that makes you question your life choices as you hold your hands beneath it, wondering if it’ll ever end. If you’re in a more “traditional” locale, you might be greeted with the classic public restroom strategy—nothing in sight but an unnervingly clean but awkwardly silent squat toilet.

But no matter the type of toilet, this universal truth remains: the desperation to relieve oneself will always trump poor hygiene or awkward design. The urgency of nature will turn even the worst public toilet into an oasis.