It is indeed weird, but returning to the right wing’s utter insanity over bathrooms I just wanted to say I used a same sex restroom yesterday at U Bourgogne that even had feminine hygiene products in it and my gender and sexual orientation remained completely unchanged.
Phila girl here too. Can’t wrap my head around this either. The community line in bathrooms I didn’t have an aversion to. Plenty times ran into a men’s room. No shame. Good article!!
I lived in Belgium and France fifty years ago. It took many, many years before I could get over the assumption that any male with his back turned to the street was peeing.
Theresa, some of this tolerance I suspect (on our part) is the fact we are 80s kids---free range parents didn't have time to impose all their cultural hangups on us----hence, we raved, freely sharing bathrooms with whomever walked in before or after us---the reality of having to pee (open stalls no less) after drinking bucket loads of whatever, overrode any 'pearl-clutching' anyone might have initially felt upon entering the toilet.... ahhh....the good ole days.
So those of us who were kids in the 60s and 70s probably didn't have to pee as often because we didn't drink water. When I played basketball the coach would let us have a sip of water, but we had to spit it out because it "gives you stomach cramps."
I once accompanied a friend to her country home about 90 min outside of Paris. One morning I looked out the window, and there she was, peeing in her garden... yeah, I guess it's a French thing
I can’t stop laughing. I lived in Lyon for a year, so I feel your pee pain. Several years later, back in the USA, I saw a man peeing in public on the wall of a building. As I drove by I rolled down my window and yelled, “This isn’t France!” Your article hit home today - merci beaucoup.😊
Well done! I don’t remember Rick Steves mentioning this in his Paris guidebook. Reminds me of the time I went into the Ladies room by mistake. Hid in a stall for 10 minutes until there were no more voices. On the way out I met a nice lady who was on her way in who said very kindly “We’ve all done it”.
It’s kind of funny that the French would urinate in public, especially in Paris with its relative preponderance of public toilettes and pissoirs. In Barcelona, we have so few public restrooms that peeing in plain sight is not uncommon.
Your story also reminds me of Philly in the early 80s. On weekends back in the day, after the bars shut down in the “Gayborhood,” there was that period of time when the last few drinks had their effect on the urinary system. Finding a restroom was impossible so the many side streets and back alleys of Center City would have to suffice. There was always a secluded spot to do your business while dodging drug dealers, hustlers, and other denizens of the night before heading to the Broad Street Subway of Market Frankford El. It’s all gentrified now so I doubt the residents of Iseminger Street would appreciate that nowadays.
You might still be able to pee on the El, though. And, certainly, all bets are off during 1) an Eagles Super Bowl parade and 2) a Mummers Parade. Go Birds!
Well to be fair quite a few ladies fell uncomfortable getting dressed while naked men wander around. On the other hand me no longer looks good naked anymore 🥹
I recently went to a designer clothing sale in a small hotel conference room. I was surprised to see so many women stripped down to their undies, trying on clothes all along the walls. You couldn’t move without coming right up against them. It was a mixed crowd but everyone seemed at ease. Maybe the deep discounts overcame any hesitation.
The Europeans have such a different attitude about nudity that it creates a much more relaxed and healthy attitude towards topics like this. The fact that Americans spend so much time hashing out who can go to the bathroom and where makes us, once again, a bit of a laughing stock to the world. This country tends to be such a hypocritically pious place which actually seems to do the opposite of what it’s meant to do. As usual, love your take on all of this…
Germans anyways do allow nakedness but it’s usually well marked - if you prefer not to see fat old naked men (rarely the young guys) you simply avoid that area
This is so funny! I don't think much of it in the country, but it can be pretty gross in cities. I remember a time ( early 80s) when nearly all French public toilets were Turkish toilets, and even many in cafés. Things could get touch and go because they made me want to vomit.
After work during the “stay home” first 3 months of COVID in Seattle, I’d go for long neighborhood walks to get my daily 10k steps in. One day I was near a very nice neighborhood cafe and a nicely dressed man a little older than me was peeing on the outside wall, while his wife stood meekly by. It had a western exposure so sunset was gonna be ripe. I passed her and muttered “pee before you leave home!” Broad daylight! I can’t imagine being around it and the wafting aromas as you describe.
. While getting radiation treatments for prostate cancer, I couldn't stop peeing. At least once or twice I stopped my car and peed on a Society Hill tree or wall a few blocks from Pennsylvania Hospital, No choice except going in my pants.
I'm sure if a cop saw me peeing in public, I would be arrested.
Theresa: In Sanary-sur-Mer, which sits between Toulon and Bandol in the South of France, peeing in public is described by the locals as "dropping a line!" I am not making this up--nor is the practice a comic one-liner.
It is indeed weird, but returning to the right wing’s utter insanity over bathrooms I just wanted to say I used a same sex restroom yesterday at U Bourgogne that even had feminine hygiene products in it and my gender and sexual orientation remained completely unchanged.
Imagine! Also, I’m now wondering if my U has a restroom.
Phila girl here too. Can’t wrap my head around this either. The community line in bathrooms I didn’t have an aversion to. Plenty times ran into a men’s room. No shame. Good article!!
I lived in Belgium and France fifty years ago. It took many, many years before I could get over the assumption that any male with his back turned to the street was peeing.
Theresa, some of this tolerance I suspect (on our part) is the fact we are 80s kids---free range parents didn't have time to impose all their cultural hangups on us----hence, we raved, freely sharing bathrooms with whomever walked in before or after us---the reality of having to pee (open stalls no less) after drinking bucket loads of whatever, overrode any 'pearl-clutching' anyone might have initially felt upon entering the toilet.... ahhh....the good ole days.
So those of us who were kids in the 60s and 70s probably didn't have to pee as often because we didn't drink water. When I played basketball the coach would let us have a sip of water, but we had to spit it out because it "gives you stomach cramps."
I just had flashbacks to field day!
I once accompanied a friend to her country home about 90 min outside of Paris. One morning I looked out the window, and there she was, peeing in her garden... yeah, I guess it's a French thing
Oh, wow!! And, yet, still shocking. Thanks for this.
Great post!
I can’t stop laughing. I lived in Lyon for a year, so I feel your pee pain. Several years later, back in the USA, I saw a man peeing in public on the wall of a building. As I drove by I rolled down my window and yelled, “This isn’t France!” Your article hit home today - merci beaucoup.😊
Hahaha. Perfect!!
Well done! I don’t remember Rick Steves mentioning this in his Paris guidebook. Reminds me of the time I went into the Ladies room by mistake. Hid in a stall for 10 minutes until there were no more voices. On the way out I met a nice lady who was on her way in who said very kindly “We’ve all done it”.
I have done it, too
It’s kind of funny that the French would urinate in public, especially in Paris with its relative preponderance of public toilettes and pissoirs. In Barcelona, we have so few public restrooms that peeing in plain sight is not uncommon.
Your story also reminds me of Philly in the early 80s. On weekends back in the day, after the bars shut down in the “Gayborhood,” there was that period of time when the last few drinks had their effect on the urinary system. Finding a restroom was impossible so the many side streets and back alleys of Center City would have to suffice. There was always a secluded spot to do your business while dodging drug dealers, hustlers, and other denizens of the night before heading to the Broad Street Subway of Market Frankford El. It’s all gentrified now so I doubt the residents of Iseminger Street would appreciate that nowadays.
You might still be able to pee on the El, though. And, certainly, all bets are off during 1) an Eagles Super Bowl parade and 2) a Mummers Parade. Go Birds!
In the old Vets Stadium, too ( at least until the courtroom opened)! 😂
Well to be fair quite a few ladies fell uncomfortable getting dressed while naked men wander around. On the other hand me no longer looks good naked anymore 🥹
I recently went to a designer clothing sale in a small hotel conference room. I was surprised to see so many women stripped down to their undies, trying on clothes all along the walls. You couldn’t move without coming right up against them. It was a mixed crowd but everyone seemed at ease. Maybe the deep discounts overcame any hesitation.
The Europeans have such a different attitude about nudity that it creates a much more relaxed and healthy attitude towards topics like this. The fact that Americans spend so much time hashing out who can go to the bathroom and where makes us, once again, a bit of a laughing stock to the world. This country tends to be such a hypocritically pious place which actually seems to do the opposite of what it’s meant to do. As usual, love your take on all of this…
Germans anyways do allow nakedness but it’s usually well marked - if you prefer not to see fat old naked men (rarely the young guys) you simply avoid that area
Excellent comparison. I definitely prefer the French approach to the faux puritanism in the US
Me, too!
This is so funny! I don't think much of it in the country, but it can be pretty gross in cities. I remember a time ( early 80s) when nearly all French public toilets were Turkish toilets, and even many in cafés. Things could get touch and go because they made me want to vomit.
One of my favorite Paris restaurants has a Turkish toilet. Last time I used it was not pretty!!
Oh really? I haven't seen one in years, although I know they must still exist. La preuve!
I haven’t been there in years. I’m betting (hoping) it’s renovated. But, one of our city pools in Rennes has one.
After work during the “stay home” first 3 months of COVID in Seattle, I’d go for long neighborhood walks to get my daily 10k steps in. One day I was near a very nice neighborhood cafe and a nicely dressed man a little older than me was peeing on the outside wall, while his wife stood meekly by. It had a western exposure so sunset was gonna be ripe. I passed her and muttered “pee before you leave home!” Broad daylight! I can’t imagine being around it and the wafting aromas as you describe.
Things apparently got gnarly here in France during that time when the cafés were closed. Shudder.
Very well written and thought-provoking piece
. While getting radiation treatments for prostate cancer, I couldn't stop peeing. At least once or twice I stopped my car and peed on a Society Hill tree or wall a few blocks from Pennsylvania Hospital, No choice except going in my pants.
I'm sure if a cop saw me peeing in public, I would be arrested.
Theresa: In Sanary-sur-Mer, which sits between Toulon and Bandol in the South of France, peeing in public is described by the locals as "dropping a line!" I am not making this up--nor is the practice a comic one-liner.
Frank Dougherty