Toilets: Where America Leads the World

Seriously, have you ever used a public toilet in Belize?

Photo by Curology on Unsplash

I recently traveled through Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. I had an awesome time. I loved the architecture, the public transport, the museums, the food, the countryside and the people. I gleefully immersed myself in the history and culture, talked to locals and explored off the beaten path. I am happy to cede to these countries their superiority in many areas. The marvel of their cathedrals, the joyful nightlife in Budapest, the delicious pastries in Vienna, the historical perfection of Czechy Krumlov… it’s all amazing.

One area, however, where the United States reigns supreme — public toilets.

I’m not saying there are no disgusting bathrooms in America. I used to do a lot of road trips so I’m willing to concede they exist. A particular gas station toilet in rural South Carolina comes to mind. The bathroom itself was clean, but it had a hole in the wall the size of a mastadon’s head. Fortunately there were no curious local fauna around when I stopped to pee.

The existence of such outliers being admitted, it’s still much easier to find a clean public toilet while traveling through the States. If nothing else, one can stop at a fast food joint. McDonald’s may have lowered the bar on cuisine, but it…