Why do German toilets have a shelf?

Instead of excretions making the plunge straight into the water, this toilet has a prominent shelf midway to catch everything.

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What is the purpose of a shelf toilet?

Well, we can thank the Germans. The purpose of the shelf is inspection. You're meant to look at the consistency, shape, color, abnormalities, etc. before flushing, and then hope that the rush of water cleans the shelf enough – otherwise, that's what the brush is for.

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Why do German toilets look like that?

The more detailed answer is: German toilets used to have a design, where the feces first fell onto a "plate"-type of element, from where they were then later flushed down the tube.

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Why do toilets in Germany have a flat bottom?

It is So you can inspect your poop!! ( For Blood, or worms, etc.) The flat bottoms of toilets help you to observe the quality and quantity of your feces: Is blood present in it?

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Do Germans flush the toilet paper?

Toilet paper belongs into the toilet unless your sitting in an automobile caravan. Never throw tampons, sanitary towels or similar materials in the toilet but use the pedal bin.

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POOP SHELVES?! German vs. American Bathroom Differences | Feli from Germany

31 related questions found

What is considered disrespectful in Germany?

Basic Etiquette

It is rude to chew gum or keep one's hands in one's pockets whilst talking with someone. Cross your legs by putting one knee over the other. It is impolite to rest your feet on furniture. Tight punctuality (Pünktlichkeit) is expected in most professional and social situations.

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Why do toilets in Italy have no seats?

Most Italian public toilets don't have a toilet seat.

This has to do with maintenance. Since public toilets are often less than spotless, people often climb with their shoes on top of them, not to sit on a potentially dirty seat.

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Why do Dutch toilets look like that?

Dutch engineers have designed the bowl itself to contain a plateau set well above the normal water level. To say the least, one must be very comfortable with themselves and all their excrements on the display shelf.

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Why do German toilets have two buttons?

To further facilitate saving water, there are usually two buttons to start the flow – one smaller embedded button for less water for number one and a larger push button for more water for number two.

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What does Germany call a toilet?

The bathroom is the “Badezimmer” in German and the “toilet” is the “Toilette”.

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Why do squat toilets still exist?

Squat toilets are used in public toilets, rather than household toilets, because they are perceived by some as easier to clean and more hygienic, therefore potentially more appropriate for general public use.

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Do Germans keep their washing machines in the bathroom?

But in Germany, homeowners don't keep their washing machines in the kitchen, instead having them fitted in a different room in the house. Photos of the set up has baffled Brits, but when you think about it it actually makes a lot of sense. That's right, they have them in the bathroom.

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Why are Australian toilets different?

Toilets In Australia

y, Australian toilets have a similar shape to American toilets but they have a different way of flushing. When an Australian toilet is flushed, the water swirls down the opposite direction as it would in America.

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Why don't Americans use a bidet?

Well, bathrooms in the US aren't really built for bidets. There's no space or additional plumbing setup for bidet fixtures. But the biggest reason it hasn't caught on comes down to habit. Most Americans grew up using toilet paper.

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Why do European toilets have two buttons?

The toilet has two buttons on the cistern rather than the single-flush one; one button delivers a lesser amount of water (eg. 3 litres) and the other a greater amount (eg. 6 litres). It also uses a larger 10 cm trapway in the bowl, allowing for water to come out faster and clear the bowl efficiently.

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Why are there no curtains in Amsterdam?

The most popular explanation stems from the Protestant religious tradition of Calvinism, which insists that honest citizens have nothing to hide. Closing the curtains could indicate otherwise.

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What do the British call the toilet?

Loo. Despite being a very British word for toilet, 'loo' is actually derived from the French phrase 'guardez l'eau', which means 'watch out for the water'.

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Do you flush toilet paper in Amsterdam?

To illustrate, in Amsterdam, a million people use water to shower, flush toilets and use their washing machine every single day. By flushing down about 33L of water – that's per person per day –cellulose-rich toilet paper also goes down the drain.

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Why is French toilet paper pink?

It is said that pink was the regional preference at the time; how they came to this conclusion, is a mystery! It is thought that this colour was selected to compliment the bathroom décor – pink bathroom anyone? Of course, white toilet paper is available in France (it's also cheaper), it's just much less common.

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How often do Italians bathe?

The personal shower is an action that everyone does at least once a week, 42% every day, 93% at least 2 or 3 times. For Italians it is better to have two bathrooms with two showers rather than one with a bathtub.

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Why you shouldn't sit on the toilet for more than 15 minutes?

Spending too much time on the toilet causes pressure on your rectum and anus. Because the seat is cut out, your rectum is lower than the rest of your backside. Gravity takes over, and blood starts to pool and clot in those veins. Add in any straining or pushing, and you may have a recipe for hemorrhoids.

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Does Netherlands use toilet paper?

Turning toilet paper into asphalt

The Dutch reportedly use around 180,000 tons of toilet paper every year.

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