Turques, Turkish, Squat...Q&A

[sunshine817]

I won't keep this going on the Robert et Louise thread...so here are some thoughts on using old-style toilet facilities (called turkish toilets, squat toilets, and several other names not printable here.)

I don't like them...if I have an option, I'll go on to the next place -- but with apologies to Kerouac...sometimes "any port in a storm" is the best option! What amazes me is that most French women I know don't like them any more than I do...so I'm not sure how or why they keep getting installed.

You won't find a lot of turques in Paris proper any more -- although they do still exist, many restos have replaced them with modern fixtures. As soon as you're out of the city, though, be prepared to use them. Most of the smaller highway aires (the ones without restos) have them...as do most small towns and villages.

I have a really bad knee -- most of the time it doesn't bother me, but when it really acts up, I can't bend it to more than 90 degrees. At those times, I'm sure I'm comic relief waiting to happen as I teeter on my good leg, the bad leg extended in front of me for balance.

So a few tips for those struggling with the concept...

First -- look to see if there's a handicapped stall. The handicapped stalls will usually have a normal toilet...if there's no one using it or waiting, you are free to do so.

Second, back into it -- they're designed for you to use with your back toward the hole and the plumbing on the wall. (Don't laugh -- I know a few ladies who tried to use it the other way round, and it doesn't work that way, unless you're a guy!) Put your feet on the foot pads, lower yourself toward the floor, and do what you are there to do.

Third -- use the walls for balance -- the stalls with turques are generally really narrow, and having the ability to stabilise yourself with a wall is a big help.

Fourth -- make sure you have the paperwork ready to go...in the US, Charmin packages tiny rolls called "Rolls to Go" ;D (no, really!) -- I've found them at CVS, Walmart, and Target in the travel supplies aisle for about 99 cents each. They're small enough to tuck in your purse, have a rigid plastic case so it doesn't get wet or torn, and ensures you don't get caught with your pants down (pun intended!)

I know it's a little indelicate, but I hope this helps clear up some of the questions...

[Jody]

Thanks for the comic relief today!!

I know there's one in the cafe across from Berthillion!

[PariS]

Mar 10, 2010 15:50:07 GMT -5 Jody said:

I know there's one in the cafe across from Berthillion!

So you just can't wait to try it out now, huh Jody? hehe

[framboiseetrose]

They have one at Polidor on rue Monsieur Le Prince. It was Winter and I had a pantsuit on with some silky longjohns. I couldn't go so I had to wait.

I remember when my daughter had been invited to play in somebody's apartment on rue du Chaillot - she got home and couldn't talk to us because she had to go to the WC. When I asked why she didn't do it at her friend's place, she said it was a hole on the floor. She was 7...... We still laugh about it now!! ;D

Thanks for the explanation, Sunshine but I still couldn't do it... LOL

[keylimejet]

Sunshine - you had me laughing out loud with that mental picture! Many years ago, on my first trip to Paris, I think I encountered one at a cafe adjoining Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, but my memory may be faulty. My daughter's first turkish was the public restroom at the entrance to the medieval hill village of Les Baux. She was 10 at the time, and suffice it to say she had some aiming issues. I hope you'll all meet her (both of us, actually) someday, so you can never tell her that I told this story! ;D

[sistereurope]

I always seem to come across at least one somewhere on my trips! They seemed to me to be more plentiful in the south of France. I have to say that I have learned how to deal with them and don't mind so much...and ashamedly admit to laughing whenever a newbie encounters one (A HOLE on the FLOOR! )

We came across many in Japan. Which is weird, because Japan is also home to the toto, the super duper fancy toilet with features like a multi-spray built in bidet AND a seat warmer! ;D

[sunshine817]

My mother came out of the loo at a cafe in one of the passages (I can't remember which one) and said she didn't know what that hole in the floor was supposed to be, but she wasn't using it! (I had to work hard not to laugh at that one.)

Some of the new ones are pretty swish -- we stopped at an aire somewhere in Provence a few years ago that was gleaming brushed stainless steel, and even had an electronic eye to flush for you. Unfortunately, the eye apparently needed corrective lenses, as it malfunctioned and hosed me down in flagrante delicto, as it was...my husband said you could hear the stream of foul language all the way to the parking lot (fortunately, it was late in the evening, and we were the only ones there). I wrote a letter in the car to Sarko himself remarking that if *even Italy* could figure out that it was time to get rid of the plumbing fixtures from the Dark Ages, then it was high time for France to do so! (Yes, I went for the jugular by using Italy as a comparison -- but I also have to say that every public loo we found in Italy was modern and absolutely spotlessly clean.) I never sent it, but I was mad enough that night to march my sodden carcass right up the front steps of the Elysees Palace and tell him in person!

[Megan]

Umm a rugby match in marseille, a number of beers , a late night , and a rush to get back to the stand were not the right conditions for my first experience - it was months later when I realised that I was standing completely the wrong way round! I did make sure I was downwind of the others when I got back

[suzanne]

I have to ask. How do you keep your pants dry. I had to take mine completely off and hand them on the hook on the back of the door.

[Truffaut]

It's so much easier for you women. We have to hold up our pants out of the water or hang onto a coat/bag with one hand, balance with one hand, aim our parts with one hand, and wipe with one hand. Wait a minute! That's too many hands

I once dipped the end of my scarf into a turque. Needless to say, I just disposed of it right there. Thank God it wasn't a good cashmere scarf!

I think it would make so much sense to install handles like the swing-down handles on a bus over the hole. Then you could sort of suspend yourself with one hand. Everything would be so much easier.

[Shoesy]

So basically, using one of those contraptions is like doing a ballet exercise at the barre.... plie (retaining that position somewhat longer than usual, I imagine ). But is it a grand plie or a demi plie....... or something in-between? In any case, I really prefer to be wearing my tights when I do my plies.

Jody - I will not allow my love for Berthillon to be altered by the image of what's across the street.

Truffy - Maybe guys do have a problem with their hands (or lack of ;D), but in general, peeing is less complicated for men than it is for women.

[Jody]

They definitely were not designed for women wearing slacks!

[sunshine817]

Roll up the hems a turn or two -- then have your trousers meet at about your knees. (or make sure your skirt is under control, or you'll dip it!)

Sounds more complicated than it really is..but it keeps them dry.

Shoesy, it's closer to a grand plie, as you're almost sitting on your heels...but I hesitate to compare it to ballet as there's really not much graceful about it!

[Megan]

Mar 11, 2010 5:30:38 GMT -5 sunshine817 said:

Roll up the hems a turn or two -- then have your trousers meet at about your knees. (or make sure your skirt is under control, or you'll dip it!)

But where do you put your beer ?? (JOKE)

[sunshine817]

Megan, I'm surprised you don't already know this, as a definitely girl-shaped girl.

In your cleavage, of course.

[Megan]

Mar 11, 2010 6:39:43 GMT -5 sunshine817 said:

Megan, I'm surprised you don't already know this, as a definitely girl-shaped girl.

In your cleavage, of course.

ha ha ha - thats where I keep my money so there would be plenty of room for beer there at the moment !

[Shoesy]

Forget the beer, which, as we know, will only increase the urgency to use the facilities, and if there are only turkish toilets available..........

[Anne]

Ha ! Thanks girls for the good laugh today ;D !
I have never used toilettes à la turque in my whole life and intend things to remain that way ...

[sistereurope]

Shoesy,

I used to teach aerobics and exercise classes at a women's gym, and that included teaching how to do squats. It's really bad for the knees to squat with your knees extending over your toes, so I used to tell my class to pretend that they were camping in the woods with no facilities and to sit back so that they don't get their shoes wet. It worked to keep them at a 90 degree angle (which is also better for tightening the bum). Now, had I known about the turques at the time, I could have said "Ladies, imagine you're in Paris". A much nicer image ;D

[framboiseetrose]

Thank you, dear OPF friends.........
I am laughing so hard today - good thing it is almost my lunch hour but eekk, I'll have to wait until the image is gone before I can have my meal!!!