Bathroom Etiquette

Every culture in each part of the world has its own version of what is acceptable or not as relates to going #1 or #2.  Coming from America, I was raised with the concept that these things are done in private.  In West Africa you are liable to see a lot of men doing #1 on the side of the road.  This is not behind a bush or with any concealment.  Often their target, I've observed, is a wall or a gutter.  Owners have placed signs to persuade men not to use their wall for this purpose.


Sadly, we do not have a photo of the very best sign from Nigeria which was stenciled on the wall surrounding a church (not one of ours).  It read, "DO NOT URINATE ON THIS WALL, GOD IS WATCHING!"

In October as we were preparing to head home for General Conference I said to Gregg, in jest, "if I see one more man urinate in the road, I'm leaving this place!"  And sure enough on our way to the airport I was given all the reason I needed to jet home.  Seriously, I love it here and was happy to return. 

There is a shortage of public bathrooms.  Therefore it is very important to take care of buisiness before starting on your journey each day.  The advice we give our little children to visit the bathroom one more time before we leave the house is EXCELLENT advice.  I have been on road trips with Gregg where it was a longggg time between rest stops.  Although we've never tried one, there are a few "approved" public urinals (for a price) as noted in the attached picture.
  

Some restaurants, like this one in Nigeria, have a restroom (a single room) for their patrons.  Fortunately, they offer and label separate stalls for men and women.  Same room...separate stalls.  Hmmm

P.S. Not all toilet paper is created equal; some is softer and some has perforations that make it easier to tear.  Enjoy your Charmin.