Over the years, I have been abroad on numerous occasions. Most trips were for the purpose of transacting business while others were for pleasure. As one might suspect, I had opportunities while on those travels, or should I say the need, to use restrooms in a variety of countries. Of course, it goes without saying, I also used a variety of toilet papers. Most Americans who have used facilities in foreign nations will agree with my opinion that toilet paper overseas is not up to American standards. In fact, most Americans who have been abroad will say that one of the things they found unusual and unpleasant about a foreign country was, yes, the toilet paper. While I mostly prefer to avoid mentioning unpleasant topics in polite conversation, I will nonetheless explain that the reason why Americans dislike foreign toilet paper is the texture of the paper. Foreign toilet paper much resembles the sheets from Sears catalogs that often hung in outhouses of the last century. In short, foreign toilet paper is different from the “soft” types we prefer and to which we have become accustomed.
I am uncertain as to why foreign toilet paper tends to be coarse. Perhaps it has something to do with the sewage systems connected to those foreign toilets. I happen to know that some of the Greek and the Israeli hotel keepers have concerns about the paper located adjacent to toilets in their restrooms. Persons who had visited those countries have reported similar bathroom stories. They were asked not to please put toilet paper in the toilet. No, there are boxes provided next to the toilets for disposal of the (used) paper. Of course, one may suspect too much paper can cause blocked sewer lines. Any experienced plumber will tell you that. Perhaps that is why some foreigners prefer to avoid having paper going down their sewer lines. I’m not sure. Yet, the northern Europeans get by without using the off-putting boxes.
The American fixation with “soft” toilet paper must seem strange to peoples overseas who have been living with the non-soft type all their lives. One particular experience comes to mind. Years ago, I was traveling with a ski club from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Austria. The plan was for the group to take a plane to Munich and from there travel by bus south to a destination in Austria. Some members of the club happened to get together in advance of the departure. One woman who had previously been to Europe thought European toilet paper was a terrible thing to force on people, and she was adamant. She apprised the trip leader of her concern, although her caution was expressed only near the scheduled departure date. The trip leader hoping to keep his 110 ski club travelers happy apparently thought one way to do that would be to furnish each with a roll of American toilet paper.
The trip leader bought a box of toilet paper with at least 110 rolls and brought the assembly to the airport. As the club members departed the boarding area heading for seats on the airplane, he handed each a roll, and no doubt with a smile. Unfortunately, many of the travelers had carry-on bags that were already bulging to the limit. The result was that as the club members descended the stairs from the plane in Munich and proceeded through the lounge area, many could be seen carrying a roll of toilet paper in addition to their carry-on luggage. One may only guess what the foreign onlookers thought as they noted the silly American travelers carrying, amongst other items a cherished roll of American toilet paper.
