Off Topic

Stumped in the Toilet

By Ron Pereira Updated on January 13th, 2011

French ToiletI’d like to think I am a relatively intelligent person.  I graduated with a 3.8 GPA during my undergrad studies and a 3.7 GPA while getting an MBA. 

But, alas, today I realized I still have much to learn as I attempted to use the toilet in the Lyon, France airport.  The picture (click to enlarge) is what I saw when I opened the stall door. 

When I opened the door I was initially taken aback for a second… then I smiled… then I giggled… and then I quickly shut the door and grabbed my camera.

I have 20 minutes to go before boarding my flight… I sure hope the time goes fast since I really have to go!


  1. Jon Miller

    May 6, 2008 - 12:29 am
    Reply

    In Prague with the old ladies guarding the WC entrance with a can of coins and a roll of tissue paper, and no urinals but a square tiled room with a shallow gutters along the wall… that was pretty different.

  2. mike t

    May 6, 2008 - 12:37 am
    Reply

    Uh, Ron i have to draw you a value steam map?

  3. mike t

    May 6, 2008 - 12:37 am
    Reply

    stream

  4. Ron Pereira

    May 6, 2008 - 2:40 am
    Reply

    LOL, Mike. Well maybe just some standard work instructions would do for starters.

    😉

  5. Mike Z

    May 6, 2008 - 7:14 am
    Reply

    Europe is full of crazy water closets. I love the public pissoir in Hamburg, strangest thing to relieve yourself in the middle of rush hour. In Berlin, I experienced what looked to be a pedestal with a basin and lid, hand towels on the wall, and three unmarked touch pad buttons within reach of the toilet. We later found that the top button was flush, middle button was to warm the seat, and third button was for the bidet accessory to flip out and give you a surprise.

  6. Lester Sutherland

    May 6, 2008 - 10:19 am
    Reply

    I am sure Ron must have had more to do than take a leak. Squatting is the original way todump, and much of the world still does it that way. Trips to Japan and China have always led to searches for “Western” toilets.

  7. Mark Graban

    May 6, 2008 - 10:00 pm
    Reply

    Huh huh, you said “stream.”

    OK, enough Beavis and Lean-head

  8. Meikah Delid

    May 7, 2008 - 12:42 am
    Reply

    I could’t help laughing loud after seeing this Ron. Wait till you get to this part of the world! =)

  9. mike t

    May 7, 2008 - 1:13 am
    Reply

    Why is there so much variation in the toilet process?

  10. Ron Pereira

    May 8, 2008 - 3:47 am
    Reply

    @ Mike Z – And did you give the surprise a try? Be honest!

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