The "WC"

What in the world is a WC?  The Water Closet!  Most of us know the WC as the bathroom.  In some countries, it's called a "toilette."  Ask for a bathroom and they'll look at you like you're crazy.  Toilets are a little different in Europe.  Using a toilet in Europe isn't exactly the most exciting experience to write home about.  Don't wait until the last minute, because finding a toilet can be a challenge.

In some cities, you may find a telephone-booth-type structure on the sidewalk, with "Toilette"  or "WC" written somewhere on it.  Put in a coin, the door opens, and you have a short window of opportunity to take care of business.  These contraptions disinfect themselves upon your departure.  Was this really what Sir Thomas Crapper had in mind?

Here's one we found not far from the "red carpet" in Cannes.

You can find restrooms train in major department stores.  Some will charge you a small fee to use the facilities. Seriously.  Around $.50 USD.  Yeah, you have to pay to pee. Not like you have a lot of options.  Keep a small amount of coins in low denominations readily available for the toilet. 

It's a good rule of thumb to use the restroom at a restaurant you eat at because it's free.  Don't expect glamour and it's no ADA compliant.  It's small and is usually tucked away somewhere in the back, upstairs or downstairs.  It may or may not be adequately marked, and store owners have the right to tell you "no, you can't use it" if you haven't eat there.  If you find a free public restroom along the way, use it.  Most public places like museums, train stations, libraries, etc. have free, clean public restrooms.  One of the nicest I've used was on our recent trip to Milan at the Sforza Castle. 

Some toilets are a little primitive if you will.  We've stopped at a highway service plaza to find a "hole" in the floor, and I've used a "hole" in the middle of a souvenir shop in the middle of Paris!  Good thing I wore a jumper that day :)  

You should always carry a package of tissues with you, or travel size roll of TP just in case the WC isn't stocked.  Sometimes the infrastructure isn't as superb as ours and toilet paper can't be flushed, like in Greece and Turkey.  But in the major cities, things run pretty normally.  If you walk in and see a wastebasket near the toilet or a sign that tells you to put TP here, then don't flush it or you'll be sorry. 

Each toilet flushes a little differently.  Nothing is more frustrating than trying to figure out how to flush the toilet, even in a hotel.  Sometimes it's a pedal, sometimes a handle, sometimes a string.  Most of the time, the WC is separate from the rest of the bathroom. Just depends on how modern the hotel is.  Keep in mind that many hotels in Europe are very old, and have history and charm.  

Gentlemen - don't be surprised if you find a female attendant in the men's restroom.  They may be sitting there collecting money or cleaning. Get over it.  The cleaning lady has. 

If all else fails, look for a Burger King or McDonald's.  They're all over Europe and always have bathrooms. 

Keep these tips in mind and you'll be a happy Euro-peein!