Potty Talk - All About German Bathrooms/Toilets At Home & On The Road

Let's get right down to the most important thing you need to know about Germany and their Bathrooms away from home... they cost money. This concept was very odd for me and I honestly was a bit intimidated by it.  So, here I am to try and make this really easy on you.  Continue reading to find out more...

On The Road:

• First the bathrooms on the road will most likely be pay bathrooms.  With the exception of McDonalds on the Autobahn where they are free. At least the ones I have been to. Just remember to always be prepared with coins in your purse or pocket! 
• When you stop at the gas station, or restaurant on the Autobahn and you need to go into the restroom this is what you will find:
• The restrooms are very clean.  Before you get to the actual restroom there will be a coin machine (FYI I will go take photos so it is less intimidating), above a turn style. On the machine it will have an amount posted. It is usually .50 or .70. It may be more depending on where you are. So you simply put your coins in then the turn style will turn and a ticket will come out. Grab your ticket and keep it. At this point you will walk to the ladies or mens side of the restroom. 
• There may or may not be a restroom attendant on duty at the time. Please be aware the attendants whether male or female take care of both sides of the restroom. They will be in there sweeping and cleaning.  
• There are many different toilets in Germany and learning where to flush them can be an experience. On most autobahns there is a hand sign on the wall. Simply put your hand up there and it flushes. Down near the toilet seat itself is a place off to the right where you wave your hand over and your toilet seat rotates through a cleaning solution so you can sit on a nice clean toilet. 
• Every toilet you come across will have a toilet brush next to it. This isn't for the cleaning staff to use it is for you to use. All I can say is if you leave a skid mark in the toilet please use the brush to clean it. It is extremely rude to leave a mess in someone's toilet whether at home or away. 
• After you are all finished you can use that receipt against your purchase of a drink or food! 

At Home:

First off I want to say I love my German toilets at home. They are easy to clean and care for. There are only a few differences. 

• The toilets come out from the wall not the floor. 
• You don't need a contour rug just for your toilet since there isn't anything to wrap it around. A simple rectangle one will work great. This make mopping much easier as well. 
• Be sure to have a toilet brush next to your toilet for your guests and family members to use. 
• If you notice in the picture I posted there is a button right above the toilet. This is where you choose how much you want to flush. The larger button on top is for a number-two. The smaller button is for a number-one. 
• Pleases only use toilet paper in the toilets. Kleenex Tissues are made strong because they are intended to withstand nose blowing. These are not going to flush well, and may not flush at all. 
• The inside of the toilet itself has very little water in it. I would guess it has about four cups water in it. This is normal. They flush amazingly well. 

PX:

Toilets on post are all free.

Toilets off post are usually marked "WC."