to think there is something wrong with Americans?

[TheBloodManCometh]

In Colorado, here for 5 weeks.

Why the HELL is there a half inch gap on either side of the door in all public toilets?? You can see everything going on!!!
This has been the case everywhere I've been in America?
AIBU to be both baffled and embarrassed

lighthearted btw. I don't really think there's something wrong with the Americans

American prudishness... Huh. Never thought of ourselves as prudes actually, considering our entertainment industry revolves around sex.

Actually it's funny, because over here you guys are the ones that are stereotyped as being prudish, uptight, and traditional. You don't really see a laid back or pervy Brit on TV or movies here. Come to think of it, youtube is the first time I saw happy Brits that weren't scowling or being arrogant.

But from reading about some of the things you guys do (kids running around naked, children running around in undies at sleep overs, toddler girls not wearing a swim top), I guess we are pretty uptight over nudity in general.

And.. thecatfromjapan That's something that only applies to your slightly neurotic FIL. I'd say about 99% of all Americans love bubble baths.

Squeaky The portrayal of British people on US TV and in movies would suggest that the producers and directors only experience of our nation would be the aristocracy from about a hundred years ago .

SqueakySqueak I'm almost sorry to hear that. I have to admit that his fastidiousness is one of the things I love about my father-in-law. He's dapper, he smells nice, and he's also very, very funny.

These loos are the stuff of my nightmares.

I've worked and travelled in the US many times and found the gaps in public toilets disconcerting. It is, frequently, a very conservative culture. I always presumed it was to easily see if people were sleeping, sex, drugs in them. It has take me a few days to get used to it and I have no problems having a wee in a field on a long hike.

The German shelf thing happens in few European countries. A less extreme version can happen in France and Spain. I've often gone into hotel Rooms and wondered why. I have spent many weeks on German campsites, after indulging in German wine and beer the shape of the toilet bowl has never seemed looks a good use of flush and water.

My experience of Spain is usually Atlantic Coast and the toilets are very clean, so are very cheap hotels.

We have a poo shelf!!

It never occurred to us to really look at the inside of the loo we bought for the en-suite. I was more focused on the style and look, don't think I really even looked inside. And then it was installed and I did a poo . The next day DH also got a fright.

I have to wriggle right to the back to miss the shelf but mostly only wee in that toilet.

I am glad I read this thread and have discovered that there is a (disgusting) reason for it, I had assumed an incredibly incompetent designer,.

So be aware they are on sale in the uk.

The girls toilets at my high school had no doors at all

Squat bogs all over the place in France. DD refused to use a particularly stinky public one last holiday despite being so desperate she was crying on the grounds it was also covered in poo. DH confirmed it was particularly rank (though not enough to stop him using it).

BUT what it is with having NO SEAT on even "normal" French toilets? Is it an attempt to stop people taking a book in?

The portrayal of The British on Film and TV? We're all all old school super villains but the Russians put down their beach towels and refuse to move them. A few of us have converted to the Nice Side and provide back up.

I am going to Germany next week, will look out for the shelf. Will just be grateful if you can flush toilet tissue. I had that delightful surprise in Greece.

Americans are oddly prudish about nudity in general but perhaps less so about toilet issues!

I heard that where TV or film gets cut or rated, Americans tend to put a higher age rating or cut out scenes of nudity, but are much more relaxed about scenes of violence. For a UK audience it's the opposite - our censors are more likely to cut violent scenes but are more relaxed about nudity, unless there are actually sexual acts happening on screen.

The Squat Bogs in France can be awful but they are improving. The good ones are fine for a quick wee but really a handle should be provided ;) Ive been in a couple which we didn't realise were self cleaning. If I'd know when entering with a 3 year old, who took his time, before me. we'd have constructed an exit strategy. How were we to know what that liquid was washing our feet, knees ...

In the 70's, 80's we went to nice French restaurants to find a not pleasant place.

With the hose thing though, I don't think you're supposed to wipe yourself with your hands, just direct the flow of water as it were.

I'm picturing all these Brits in bowler hats prodding Yank toilet doors with their canes. Heh...
I was in Amsterdam last year & there were ads on the inside of toilet doors urging folk to inspect their poo before flushing. They featured all these laughing / smiling Benetton types who, thank God, hadn't found evidence of life threatening shite related diseases. Because, y'know, they check every time...

Have travelled to America quite a lot and DH works there frequently and you Yanks are way more more prudish and conservative compared to us Brits

We love you for it though but it is funny that you are reluctant to 'cuss' and insist on calling poo 'poop'

Most of our time has spent working or visiting San Francisco which is pretty liberal compared to other US States

I've never noticed (or perhaps just never minded ) the gap. Does anyone has a photo of a US cubicle - as you do...

I am now rethinking my plans to holiday in the Us next year. Makes the Greek toilets seem much less of a problem.

I was just going to say that no-one had yet mentioned Greek loos...

I think this thread should be moved to Classics - for its education value alone!

We do it to make Brits feel uncomfortable. Obviously working :-)

Well, I don't know many American men who take baths, in spite of the huge bath tubs in many US houses. Women love them, though. In our house we have what is called an "English" tub, longer and deeper than standard US ones. I love it.

It's true we avoid the word "toilet" at all costs. The only time you hear the word is if you have to refer to the actual fixture itself, as in "the toilet is stopped up." Even then, in my area of the US (South), many people avoid even that by call it the commode.

I never actually noticed the door gaps in the US and I lived there for a while. Although I probably hold the world record in fast peeing and get in and out so probably just wasn't paying attention. I save, erhm, other things, for private bathrooms. I just can't bring myself to poop in a public restroom.

The worst was in China. We were taken to this stunning restaurant for lunch, then most of us decided we wanted to use the facilities before leaving. We were led in to the middle of the kitchen where there was a hole in the floor, no walls, no door, no paper. And right in the middle of the kitchen!! We all declined and just held on for the afternoon. I discovered that most hotel lobbies in Asia have lovely facilities and usually an attendant in there ready to hand you soap, towel and hand cream, well worth the small tip expected.

Here you go!
Doesn't do it justice

That's terrifying!

I'm amazed that American public toilet doors don't have a little thingy on them to say if it's occupied or not though. I just assumed that was universal!

Eddie, for your viewing pleasure.

Bizarre....why would anyone think gaps on a toilet door are a good thing? Why not just make a door that fits? Don't get it.....

Squeaky The portrayal of British people on US TV and in movies would suggest that the producers and directors only experience of our nation would be the aristocracy from about a hundred years ago.

Actually, you're mostly protrayed as evil geniuses.

I'm amazed that American public toilet doors don't have a little thingy on them to say if it's occupied or not though. I just assumed that was universal!

Feet under the door = occupied. No feet under the door = unoccupied. The doors do lock, unless they're broken, so it's unlikely you'd inadvertantly barge in on someone. There are small gaps around the doors, but in 30-some years of using public restrooms, I've never been peeped at. People just don't generally go around doing that sort of thing.