If you’ve been to Greece you may know about the practice of throwing toilet paper in the bin rather than flushing it away. It’s something that I’ve never come across anywhere else in Europe but wherever you go in Greece you’ll see signs in the bathrooms. They warn you “Do not throw paper in the toilet!”, just in case you’re one of those people who’s never heard of this unusual practice.
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Apparently the plumbing in Greece just isn’t up to it. If I was a restaurant owner that was going to deal with a blockage I guess I’d be putting signs up just to make this clear.
You may be wondering why you can’t flush toilet paper in Greece. Maybe you think the Greeks could just start using more accommodating pipes like the rest of Europe.
Perhaps their sewage processing works just wouldn’t take it either. But then it can’t be great to be putting all this paper in the landfill instead.
It’s a mystery
It’s one of those mysteries that gets more confusing the more you think about it. Best not to give it too much thought as you knock back the ouzo.
All I can say is that it’s sometimes a relief to get home and know that you can flush without fear of the consequences. If you’ve been to Greece I hope I didn’t spoil your moussaka and chips!
Perhaps you have a few bathroom stories from your travels you’d like to share. But then again…..
Photo credit: Photos are mine but I should credit Rob and Ritsa Wallace who run Freddie’s Beach Bar at Tsilivi, Zante where I saw them.
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Teenage thrills at the Waterpark on Zakynthos – in Greece
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This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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B. Smirched
Sunday 14th of April 2024
I'm not sure that describing people drawn to your article as " one of those ignorant people" is likely to encourage people to use your services. I'm someone who quickly realised there was a difference and made some checks...some would say I'm "enquiring". But it seems I'm ignorant in your assessment.
Heather Cowper
Tuesday 16th of April 2024
@Paul The article is a lighthearted look at how different cultures do things differently, no intention to offend so I changed the wording.
Alfred
Sunday 25th of December 2022
Thank you Heather for providing a platform for discussion of this unhygienic practice. You point out that it can’t be great to be putting all this paper in landfill, but what about the plastic bags? I am stunned that with all the concern for the environment, a developed nation is content to maintain the practice.
Smithee
Thursday 28th of April 2022
I am in a nice city hotel in Kalamata right now and the toilet in my room has a sign instructing not to flush the paper, same as the hotel room in Corinth a few days back.
Heather Cowper
Tuesday 31st of May 2022
@Smithee pretty much the norm in Greece
Geri
Tuesday 31st of December 2019
Toilet traditions really seem to vary around the world, even inside a specific country. I often feel that toilets in rural areas are more old fashioned than in towns. For example I have encountered outhouse toilets in rural bars in several countries. But my most peculiar experience was in Greece around year 2000. I was out biking and had stopped for a lemonade and a cup of coffee at a small shop/bar. Before leaving, I had to go to the toilet. There I found a paper sign telling that: NO PAPER OR STOOL IN TOILET! Unlucky me, I was in need of a place for "#2". Not going into details, but a very embarrassed woman had to hide behind some bushes along the road after leaving the bar.
Anna
Tuesday 27th of August 2024
@Geri, I had a quite similar experience in Crete a few weeks back. Driving in the country side we stopped at a small bar to have something to drink. They had a similar sign. I asked the woman at the bar and she told me to go in the bushes and offered me some paper. Due to the urgency I had to accept. I ended up squatting between the bushes. Not a pleasant experience for a woman at 72!
Thomas
Sunday 29th of November 2020
This story gave me flash backs to a trip to Crete some years ago. We were on a day trip by bus. At an archaeological site out in the country side we made a short break for taking pictures. I had felt an upcoming urge for going to toilet for over one hour. The need was almost impossible to put off when we stopped. But no toilet was around. I really had no other choice than putting some paper napkins in the pocket and walk in between the surrounding shrubs. And, be sure, not only women feel the embarrassment in such situations.
Heather Cowper
Friday 3rd of January 2020
@Geri Gosh that does sound quite embarrassing!
Harold M. Vasquez
Sunday 2nd of September 2018
I didn’t know about not throwing paper into greek toilets. I have been in Greece, but never found such info. Instead, I found funny toilets which looks like hole in the ground with two places for foots – no chair or anything You could sit on it. Such toilets were also in whole old Jugoslavia countries and in Ukraine, Romania etc!