I first encountered these awful things some years ago in Italy.
I was in Florence, in a queue for the public loo when an American woman came out and said "Oh my Gaaaaard that was unbelievable"
I assumed she had meant that it was dirty, but no, when it was my turn there was the infamous hole in the ground.
I couldn't do it, I really couldn't even though it was Summer so I would have been wearing a dress or skirt, which of course is much easier to deal with than trousers.
I remember wandering into a smart looking hotel and using their ladies loo. They are always somewhere near the reception area and as I have found on many occasions, the reception staff take no notice if we wander in as if we were staying there.
This even works in Venice which of course is notorious for its shortage of public loos. I can recommend the Danieli if anyone is 'caught short' there!!!