If you’ve ever been curious about why there are no toilet seats in Italy, I can say that this article answers your question. Much like staring at the Mona Lisa or singing along during Pavarotti’s arias, the answer may always remain a bit of a mystery, but that’s part of the beauty of it all.
There aren’t any toilet seats in Italy because they don’t need them. Italians prefer to sit directly on the toilet bowl. This is because of Hygiene. Also, they believe that sitting directly on the seat can lead to future hemorrhoids and other health issues.
Is a Toilet Seat Necessary?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered if toilet seats are necessary. It’s not that I don’t like them—they’re just so bulky! And sometimes, they get in the way of my butt.
But then it hits me: where would I be without a toilet seat? It’s a little thing, but it’s also one of life’s most important inventions. Without it, I’d have to hold on to the bowl’s rim—and have you ever tried to hold onto something while sitting on a toilet? It doesn’t work out well for anybody involved.
We all know that sitting on the toilet bowl with the cover down is not a good idea, but what if the cover is already down when you sit down, or what if someone else has done this before you? If you are one of those people who cannot control themselves and have to sit down without thinking about the consequences, you must read it.
Toilet seats are essential because they prevent us from getting germs on our bottoms when we sit down. They are also vital because they prevent us from sitting in something nasty that someone else left behind. However, there are times when toilet seats may not be necessary.
For example, if you have just used the bathroom and there were no other people in there while you were inside, then there is probably no need to put your seat up before leaving since nothing was left behind by anyone else (except maybe some soap scum).
In this case, it would be best to leave the lid down so that any germs from outside don’t come in and infect anything inside.
But here comes an exciting and surprising thing. As an American, I know and prefer that a toilet seat is necessary. But when I was in Italy, I found that there are no toilet seats in Italy (Shocking, right?)
Well, I also had the same reaction. As a professional plumber, I became a bit curious about it, and I researched the reason for the absence of toilet seats in Italian toilets. Which I am going to tell you in this article.
Types Of Toilets In Italy
When I was in Italy, I saw four main types of toilets: the bidet, the box seat, the squat toilet, and the urinal. Here is the detail of Types Of Toilets In Italy.
- Bidets
- Squat Toilets
- Box Seat
- Urinal
1) Bidets
The bidet is a small basin mounted on the wall or floor next to the toilet. You use it after you’re done with your business and before you wipe yourself with toilet paper. You can use it to wash your private parts and clean up any mess that may have been made during the elimination process.
The bidet may be separate from or attached to the toilet seat depending on how much space you have in your bathroom or if it’s meant for public use (like in hotels).
For knowing more about Bidet toilets read: How to use bidet toilet in italy.
2) Squat toilets
It is a low-cost, low-tech toilet that requires users to squat over the hole instead of sitting down on top of it like modern toilets do today (this type of toilet is more common in developing countries).
The squat toilet is typically made of porcelain or ceramic and has two essential parts: a bowl with a water seal and a footrest that fits under your feet. The water seal prevents the smell from escaping through the pipe system.
To know more about them you can read my Detailed Guide about squat (floor) toilets in Italy
3) Box Seat
The box seat is another type of toilet that can be found in Italy. This toilet has a (usually) round seat that sits over the top of a waste basket or container. The wastebasket has a lid on it so that you can close it and keep smells contained while waiting for your subsequent restroom use.
4) Urinal
If you’ve ever been to an Italian bathroom, you’ve probably noticed that some toilets are just for men. These are called urinals, and they’re pretty much what they sound like—they’re for guys to pee in.
They’re usually located in public places like bars, restaurants, and stadiums. The urinal is a squat toilet with two holes for your feet and a hole for your business. It’s the kind of toilet that you might find in a bathroom at home, in a public park, or in a museum.
Also Read:
Detailed Guide about Italian toilet (All you need to know)
Why There Are No Toilet Seats In Italy | Reason Behind That
One of the most common questions about toilets in Italy is why there are no toilet seats. The answer is simple: They are not considered to be necessary.
Italians strongly believe in their own sense of hygiene and consider the seat unnecessary. They also think that all toilets should be cleaned regularly by professionals, who will use disinfectant to clean the entire area.
Can You Sit On Toilet Without Seat?
The short answer is yes; you can sit on your toilet without a seat.
This may sound like a crazy thing to do, but the fact is that it’s not that uncommon in some parts of the world. You might be surprised how many people have no problem sitting on a toilet without a seat.
So why would anyone want to do this? Well, for one thing, it’s much more sanitary than using an actual toilet seat. And it’s also much more comfortable—especially if you’re used to squatting instead of sitting down while going number two.
But there are some things to consider if you want to do it safely and comfortably.
First, the toilet was made for one person to sit on. It has a backrest and a seat that is meant to be used together so that you don’t fall off or get splashed by any water in the bowl.
If you’re planning on replacing your seat with something else, make sure it has some back support and won’t slip around when sitting on it. If it does, add some padding or something else to ensure it stays put while you’re using it.
Another thing I recommend is getting some dryer sheets or other products that help reduce smells from staining your toilet bowl (though this isn’t necessary if your toilet doesn’t have an issue with staining). This will help keep any odors from lingering long after they occur!
You can also try using one foot at a time instead of both feet at once; this is less stressful than using both feet at once because each foot only has half of your weight pushing down at any given moment.
If possible, lean forward slightly when you sit down so that more of your weight is supported by your arms instead of putting all of it onto just one leg at once (this might feel strange at first).
Also Read:
Why people use the second toilet in Italy?
How Do You Sit On An Italian Toilet?
When I was in Italy for a few weeks, I thought learning how to use their toilets would be fun. And as you all know, I love to share all the things that I learned. So here I am also sharing the right way to sit on an Italian toilet which I learned from a young gentleman in Italy.
Here’s how you can do it. Simply sit in the same position as if you were sitting on a toilet anywhere else: feet together, knees apart. When you’re ready to go, raise your butt, so it’s just above the toilet seat—and then let it drop down! The water will wash away waste without needing toilet paper or other cleaning products.
I’m not sure why they do it this way. Maybe it has to do with how people used to live in Italy—in smaller houses or something like that? I’m not sure if there’s any historical context for why this is common practice in Italy, but either way: it takes some getting used to.
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Conclusion
In the end, I hope this article helps you to calm your curiosity about why there are no toilet seats in Italy. Every country has its own culture, and as a human, it’s good to respect and follow each culture, especially in their area.