If you are offended by lavatorial don't open

Visited Longleat in 1960. Outside loo had 3 holds so three of my girl guide patrol went at the same time. High light of our camp.

I have been very wary about excreting behind a tree or in long grass, since, about 40 years ago, I found a tick in a very awkward position. My GP said, "I've never seen a tick down there!" and efficiently removed it.

No paper or brush then!

In Japan they have loos which hose your nether region and blow warm air to dry you while they play music. Hygenic but can be unnerving to feel an unexpected jet of water.

I cant perform if I think someone might hear me, never mind see me!

There are toilets at Hampton Court that are in a row. They were built for lower courtiers and called the Great House of Easement. 14 people could use it at the same time. That was in the 1600s so we don't quite have to go back to Roman times.

I agree with MissTree, I did a tour through China too. Local toilets not for the faint hearted, and makes you see how easy it is to spread infections etc.

The worst toilet experience that I ever had was at a Festival in 1972.

It consisted of a huge round marquee above an open pit in the ground. There was a giant, round contraption of scaffolding poles constructed like a wheel with a centre pole attached to the centre of the tent. The idea was that you rested your backside on the 'outer wheel edge' while doing your business. There were some kind of canvas divisions between the 'open-backed cubicles' with canvas doors that slid to one side to 'cover your dignity' .................. no dignity about your rear view !

I only used it ONCE all the time that I was there .

This has made me laugh. I never use those hole in the ground toilets in France. Can't go to the loo outside. Have to be alone with the door shut. I remember when the children were little, they would bang on the door, Muumy Mummy, no peace even when having a wee !!
Always use toilet paper to line the seat in public, before sitting on it

I always laugh at the songs saying male and female attendants, who cares, i'm in a cubicle

And we’d all get cholera.

Nannan2

Not for me either! Cant go with an audience.Welshwife- whats the reason for rolling up trousers above your knees?folk would still see youre there- is it in case youve to 'leg it' after thieves like someone else asked?

Because they arre invariably mucky and wet and one has to crouch to use them. I was shocked going into a toilet in a big supermarket and finding one there. They are often in the services too although usually with ordinary ones as well. They are known as Turkish' toilets.

After that I alwways use the disabled. I can't crouch anymore antway.

Think the population has increased quite a bit once Roman times, their drainage system would be hard pressed to cope. At least communal and in the open it would be easy to spot those who leave public toilets in an absolute disgrace. Used to changed baby's nappy on ny knee. No fancy changing mat and no disposable nappy either!

Then you would have more than Covid 19 to contend with

@B9exchange - thank you so much for posting that link. I remembered seeing it on TV back in the 70's, but everybody else has told me that I must have imagined it .................... I was beginning to think they were right. I had forgotten that it was subtitled ;-).

I could not do that but I do have to dispose of my waste once a week in a public place. There are often people about when I empty the toilet cassette from my boat...

I once used a long drop toilet right in the middle of the African bush. Once I had negotiated 10,000 discarded termite wings, it was fine and surprisingly unsmelly, probably due to no- one being able to find it.

Meanwhile in Ireland......

Oh yes i watched the comedy 'plebs' and the guys bought an old lavatory building to use as a bar - and it showed the loos i think all together

Not for me either! Cant go with an audience.Welshwife- whats the reason for rolling up trousers above your knees?folk would still see youre there- is it in case youve to 'leg it' after thieves like someone else asked?

Any one else remember Derek Jacobi in ‘I Claudius’ sitting on the loo in a communal toilet?

Never mind strangers. I can have a wee with my partner in the same bathroom, but not a poo. What about everyone else?

I remember seeing those and learning about them when we had a tour of Herculaneum !

I can’t see them catching on now!

In my sister’s former garden (house was early 1800s) there was a small outbuilding with 2 loo ‘seats’ companionably side by side, cut from a large piece of wood. (With no splinters I trust!)
When they bought the house there was still a nail with squares of newspaper hanging off it.

In a museum somewhere in the N of England - I forget the name - (Beamish?) I’ve seen similar with 3 seats, and 3 Japanese tourists sitting on them in hysterics while having their picture taken!

I once popped into a ditch with a hedge by a main road in France. All was well - I could not be seen.......that is until a high coach went by and the passengers all gave me a cheery wave!