In most places throughout Greeceyou can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo.
So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal toanyone who uses this method.
But whyis this the situation in Greece?Here'swhy you need tofollow the rules.
Don't flush toilet paper in Greece
Squat toilets in rural Greece
Can I drink tap water in Greece?
Natural spring water in Greece
Gastro - Greek style
Don't flush toilet paper in Greece
There's a very simple explanation: Greek sewage pipes are approximatelytwo inches (50mm) in diameter. American and British plumbing is twice as large (four inches/100mm). The Greek pipes just get clogged.
They don‘t call them 'modern conveniences' for nothing. Toilet paper wasn't invented until the 1900s, and Greece is an ancient civilization.
The ancient Greeks were modern for their time. A Minoan king of Crete invented the first flushing toiletmore than2,800 years ago. Paper was first manufactured about1,000 years later, but it took someone another 700 years to have the great idea of making toilet paper.
This also helps explain a few other ancient and European pre-toilet paper traditions, such as not eating food with your left hand, the bidet, and that creepy long fingernail on the left pinky – think about it!
The toilets will handle a small amount of paper, so don't panic if you forget once or twice while you get used to it.
The bins will be collected and emptied daily, so there's rarely an odour problem and a tight fitting lid keeps the health issues at bay.
When you lift the lid, just don't look.
The eternal question has been answered in Greece, where spring-loaded mechanisms return the seat on some toilets to the UP position after use. Argument settled.
Sorry ladies, no 'hovering', so the health-conscious can use those wipes to give the seat the once-over and watch out for a slap from the seat as you stand up.
That all said, this is not a uniquely Greek problem, you may still encounter the 'NO PAPER' sign in other old parts of Europe (and even in one of New York City's oldest hotels). You'll also encounter this throughout Southeast Asia. However the good news is some upmarket and newly built hotels have updated sewerage systems, so you may be able to flush the paper. Ask accommodation staff if you're unsure.
Listen to the this Episode of the World Nomads Travel Podcast
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about traveler’s diarrhea, also known as Bali Belly, Delhi Belly, The Pharaoh's Curse, Montezuma's Revenge or The Rangoon Runs. Whatever you call it, it’s no fun being caught short. Warning: this podcast is not suitable for sensitive ears as it contains explicit language.
Squat toilets in rural Greece
The same goes for squat toilet you may encounter in more remote areas.
It's a ceramic, or enameled, apparatus that is pretty rare in Greece these days. (By the way, it appears the Greeks named it the "Turkish" toilet in retaliation for centuries of cultural domination, even though this type of toilet is still common in Asia, and can be encountered in other southern European nations from time to time).
There's a bit of an art to mastering these toilets, but practice makes perfect. Until you do, take some disinfectant wipes with you to fix any "mistakes" to you or your clothing.
Don't let it put you off or spoil your trip, put it down to being an experienced traveler.
Can I drink tap water in Greece?
Backtracking on this whole issue a little and considerwhat you put intoyour body in the first place.
InAthens and Thessaloniki, the tap water is perfectly fine to drink. Thesecities are supplied by reliable and clean systems.
The same can't be said of the islands where quality and purity can vary significantly. Many still rely on groundwater wells and because of frequent drought there‘s often insufficient supply. Water quality can be poor, especially in summer.
It's recommended you drink onlytreated or boiled water in Herakeion (Crete), Alexanroupolis, Siteia, Salamis, Ioannina, Mykonos,Santorini and other smaller islands.
Use caution on Milos, Kimolos, Irakleia, Schoinoussa, Symi, Halki, Patmos and Kastelorizo. These islands have had all their water literally shipped to the islands since 2008. While much care is taken with the process, transferring water to and from a ship creates several opportunities for contamination.
The Greek government is trying to secure water supply for the islands through de-salination plants, but the financial crisis has severely disrupted plans.
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Natural spring water in Greece
Because it's a mountainous country, there are many springs and natural water sources all over Greece.
Many villages have elaborate taps for these. You may see locals filling up large containers to take home for use. You may even be offered spring water in some cafes and restaurants.
Gastro – Greek style
Even the purest, sparklingly clean water can cause traveler's diarrhoea – all water carries microbes and bacteria of some type. These are processed by your gut and are generally harmless. But different destinations have slightly different combinations of microbes, and it can take a day or two for your gut to adjust.
Traveler's diarrheais not dangerous, unless it's acute (really bad), or chronic (goes on for a long time) – in which case you might need medical assistance.
The biggest problem is dehydration, and first line treatment is oral rehydration. Not only does rehydration often require more water than people think, it also requires some special electrolytes in the water they drink.
A sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade, Lucozade, etc) often works well and several glasses of this should be drunk each day you're experiencing symptoms oftraveler's diarrhea.
If you get into a tight spot and can'tfind a sports drink, you can make your own with a pinch of salt and a few spoons of sugar into a glass of clean water. Even if the person has been vomiting, and appears to be throwing up all their liquids, keep drinking! At least someof the fluid is getting into the body.
Sometimes the diarrhea can be so severe you need to get medical help. A few signs that you've reached this stage include the presence of blood in the diarrhea, fevers and severe abdominal cramping. These are all signs that the bacteria are invading the body by penetrating the intestinal lining. Don't hesitate to head to hospital.
By Allyson Jennings,
World Nomads Contributor - Fri, 27 Apr 2018
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In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo. So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal to anyone who uses this method.
One of the commonest questions first-time visitors to Greece ask is “is it true that you can't flush paper down the toilet?” Unfortunately, in the vast majority of accommodations, cafes, bars, shops and restaurants, the answer is “yes, it is true!”
Do You Pay for Public Bathrooms in Greece? Public restrooms in Greece cost money (around 50 cents). Most restrooms are fairly clean, but many of the toilets don't have seats so you'll need to squat over them. To be safe, I recommend carrying around some hand sanitizer in case the bathroom you visit doesn't have soap!
No, in Santorini you cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet bowl. As with most places in Greece, toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilet. You should place the used toilet paper into a special trash bin located next to it. The hosts or hotel staff empty the bin every day and put a new bag in it.
The only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste (urine and feces) and toilet paper. Here's what you shouldn't flush: Bags / wrappings and cardboard. Band-aids and bandage wrappers.
In most places throughout Greece you can't put toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, you must put your toilet paper in the bin beside the loo. So long as the bins are tightly closed and emptied daily, the health risks are minimal to anyone who uses this method. But why is this the situation in Greece?
What should I do with used toilet paper in Greece? If you are visiting Greece, you should put soiled toilet paper in the bin, which is right next to the toilet. There are exceptions to this, but if you aren't sure, just use the bin!
– you can wear jeans (even in more formal situations), as long as they are combined with an elegant jacket or stylish accessories. They should be well-fitting and stylish. Never ever wear a tie with jeans, though. – for men, always wear socks in closed shoes.
Tipping the housekeeping staff in Greece is not expected but again, it is always appreciated. One nice thing that you can do for your hotel staff is to leave behind the spare change that you have at the end of your trip, along with a small thank you note.
Serious mosquito-borne illness is rare in Greece, but take some insect repellant for your comfort. There are scorpions throughout Greece, including Athens. The greatest danger is from accidentally turning over a rock and stepping on one, but they also come inside buildings.
One of the best beaches to swim in Santorini is the famous black-pebbled Perissa beach. And here's one more thing to avoid in Santorini – don't walk barefoot on Perissa beach, as the volcanic pebbles get really hot!
Novario came up with a formula that combined a hybrid of the wad and the fold: a couple folded sheets of toilet paper with a crumple on top “for extra waste-wicking wrinkles and folds.” In other words, when it comes to toilet paper, don't just wad or fold; instead, you should “wafold.”
While Americans in particular are used to flushing their used toilet paper down the pipe, they must break that habit if they are traveling to Turkey, Greece, Beijing, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Bulgaria, Egypt and the Ukraine in particular.
If you must use something other than toilet paper, please be sure to discard it in the trash. Only toilet paper is designed to break apart in pipes and sewers. Toilet paper goes through extensive testing to ensure that it disintegrates as it is flushed, other products remain intact and obstruct pipes.
Should I carry cash in Greece? It is a good idea to carry cash in Greece and to make sure that you always have plenty of smaller denomination notes and coins on you. While cards are widely accepted, Greece is still very much a cash society.
Jeans can get too hot and sweaty on the islands, though sometimes in the evening if the temperature cools a little, jeans can be a good option. Comfortable shoes - most if not all islands boast gorgeous cobbled streets in their towns. Bring shoes that you can walk in happily.
While there may be exceptions in some newly built resorts and modern hotels, the overwhelmingly common rule is to avoid flushing paper products down the toilets in Greece.
A typical Greek breakfast usually consists of a wide variety of bread, pastry, fruits, and Greek yogurt. These foods are high in nutritional value and a great source of energy — an excellent way to begin your Greek food adventures!
You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.
Brushing your teeth with tap water in Greece is absolutely fine. However, if you want to be 100% certain that the water you are using is ok, use bottled water instead.
You should be able to pay for retail transactions with debit and credit cards, but always check beforehand as not all business hold a machine for processing card payments.
Whenever you tip during your trip to Greece it is important to use the local currency, that is - Euros. Otherwise you'll leave your service providers with cash they can't use without paying high fees on currency exchange.
Bathing suits are for the beach only.Never leave the beach without covering up. Also, it is considered quite rude to go barefoot on the beach. And while there are some nude beaches in Greece they are few and far between.
Is the drinking water served in Greece restaurants complimentary or charged? You have to buy bottles of drinking water in restaurants. No, the tap water is not suitable for drinking - everyone has to drink bottled water on Santorini whether at home, in a hotel or in a restaurant.
The best time to visit is late spring (May) and fall (Sept-Oct). It's pleasant, with comfortable weather, no rain, and smaller crowds (except during holiday weekends). Winter (late Oct through mid-March) is colder, with some rainfall.
If you are using the bidet properly, and if your bidet is of high quality, you should not have to use toilet paper to wipe yourself clean. A high-quality bidet will clean your backside more thoroughly than any amount of wiping. However, you may want to use a small amount of toilet paper to dry yourself.
When you first use a bidet, clean off with toilet paper first before attempting the bidet spray. You don't need to use soap to use a bidet. Some people do use the bidet like a mini-shower after a bowel movement, sexual intercourse, or for freshening up, but it isn't a requirement.
Using a bidet instead of toilet paper provides a thorough cleansing that wiping alone cannot. Water is more sanitary than toilet paper because it gently cleans the area instead of just rubbing it with toilet paper.
There are more than 90 species of bugs, but the species parasitic in humans, which occurs in Greece and generally in temperate climates, is Cimex lectularius L. Their body is oval, flat, 5-7 mm long, allowing them to move and hide in narrow spaces and cracks.
In order to stop the itch of a mosquito bite, Greeks simply dab a cotton ball with some vinegar and apply it to the bite. Not only does the swelling and itching go away, but it is also thought to help in the healing process. Another Greek remedy that helps stop the itch or mosquito bites is using aloe vera.
Generally speaking, mosquitoes are most active around sunrise and sunset. They rarely come out during the middle of the day when the sun is out, since direct sunlight and high midday temperatures can quickly dehydrate them.
Is Santorini safe at night? Any place where there is alcohol, there is some risk. Usual precautions apply but Santorini has very few problems with fights, violence, drugs, or organized criminal activity. The biggest risk at night is walking home down the caldera after too many drinks.
You'll be moving feces away from your more delicate parts, lowering the risk of infection. This prevents the transmission of bacteria and goes a long way in preventing UTIs or an itchy, uncomfortable bum.
Using a wad of toilet paper, start at the perineum (the area between the genitals and anus) and wipe upwards, past the anus. Repeat as needed until the toilet paper is clean.
One of the commonest questions first-time visitors to Greece ask is “is it true that you can't flush paper down the toilet?” Unfortunately, in the vast majority of accommodations, cafes, bars, shops and restaurants, the answer is “yes, it is true!”
Most Italian public toilets don't have a toilet seat.
This has to do with maintenance. Since public toilets are often less than spotless, people often climb with their shoes on top of them, not to sit on a potentially dirty seat.
No, in Santorini you cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet bowl. As with most places in Greece, toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilet. You should place the used toilet paper into a special trash bin located next to it. The hosts or hotel staff empty the bin every day and put a new bag in it.
If the toilet is your preferred vehicle for condom disposal, you may eventually be in for a seriously nasty (and seriously expensive) shock. Flushed condoms can build up in your toilet system, which can ultimately clog the pipes and cause a buildup of other materials.
Similar to dental floss, sending hair down the drain can cause larger problems later on, experts at American Water note. Hair tends to stick to the inside of pipes, leading to build-up and clogs over time. Don't flush large clumps of hair down the toilet, and use drain covers to protect your shower and sink drains.
While Americans in particular are used to flushing their used toilet paper down the pipe, they must break that habit if they are traveling to Turkey, Greece, Beijing, Macedonia, Montenegro, Morocco, Bulgaria, Egypt and the Ukraine in particular. Restrooms will have special waste bins to place used toilet paper.
If you see an wastebasket near the toilet with used toilet paper in it, that's a sign that the sewer system isn't up to snuff. Put your used TP in the wastebasket instead of flushing it. (The rule of thumb in those places: Don't put anything in the toilet unless you've eaten it first.)
There is not a strong tradition of tipping in Greece, particularly among the locals, but it's become expected that tourists leave a small tip while travelling through the country. In restaurants it's common to leave a cash tip for whoever is looking after you – 10–15 per cent is standard.
Greece does not have any unspoken rules about attire such as "cover your shoulders”, or "wear long skirts, dresses, trousers” like India for example, but as with everything an element of common sense in deciding what you are going to pack is imperative.
A bidet (pronounced buh-day) is a basin used for cleaning yourself after using the bathroom. Bidets are common in Europe, Asia, and South America, so if you've ever traveled internationally, you've probably seen one.
However, while one of the systems most definitely is a toilet for human wastage, the other serves a different purpose. The other "toilet" is in-fact a bidet. You have likely heard of bidet but may not have come across one in the UK, as they are not installed as standard in UK homes or even in most hotels.
Brazil – In common with most Latin American countries, the sewage system in Brazil can't cope with paper being flushed, so use the bin provided. If you're in the jungle or up the Amazon, take your paper with you and dispose of it somewhere hygienic, or burn it on the way.
Latrine. The word Latrine has its roots in both Latin and French. It comes from the Latin word for wash, 'lavare'. Over time, this Latin word evolved into 'lavatrina' which was then shortened to 'latrina' before eventually becoming 'latrine' courtesy of the French people in the mid-1600s.
Lota. For some other countries that prefer the water alternative to toilet paper, there is a lota, a teapot type object that you fill with water. You hold onto the handle and point it towards your bum after you've done your business and tip the lota so water will come out and clean your bum.
Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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