If you are offended by lavatorial don't open

Icanhandthemback I hope those nasty girls who insulted you have had to use a public lavatory for more than a pee. We don’t like it do we ,but sometimes needs must especially for anyone with crohns or IBS. We’ve been conditioned into being too precious about it- Everyone has to do it somewhere- even HM

In my 'clubbing days' us girls would get into the toilet for a communal wee. We didn't think much of it as alcohol played its part, although one friend could not do it if we were all together. Now though I could not do this. I always keep myself private just in case something else escapes. For me, the joy of youth!!

Not that long ago in Egypt, I remember seeing lines of men squatting down each side of the road In the early morning as our coach passed on its way to see temples etc before the heat increased.
Travel certainly broadens the mind!

Don't think you be overly happy if you had to use one like the Romans.........
They are down right uncomfortable. and there's no seat.

When I was a teenager, one poor soul was using the ladies' loos at our offices when a hand came creeping under the partition and stole her handbag. The thief (a man) escaped from the building but was pursued by one of the managers and captured in the neighbouring cemetery. Sadly, I was working on the other side of the building and didn't get to witness the chase. It seemed rather comical to me.

Still, imagine sitting there and seeing a hand appear... Maybe communal loos would provide safety in numbers.

Oh dear - the very thought of going to the loo in front of others - aaaagh! I am a very private person and am even bothered about making any sort of lavatorial noise in the loo in case others can hear! I, too, have had worrying dreams about being in a loo with no door/glass walls. I guess it’s conditioning though - in Roman times no-one would have known any better so sharing your “toilet” with others was the norm.

oh no !!

I used to have nightmares about not being able find a suitable toilet to use, the ones in my dreams were all situated in glass rooms, all together, with not a wall or space between them........
I also am glad I am female, because I couldn't go into a urinal and stand with others in a row, I'd be the one scooting towards the cubicle !! On saying that I did a few years back go into (it was empty) a Victorian urinal on the Isle of Bute in Scotland, to look at the tiled walls and decoration inside, it was beautiful. The people who looked after the toilets, used to let people in to have a look around, if no-one was inside !!

The very thought of public toilets turns my stomach. I would rather time my time out doors so as not to include a loo stop.

I don't think the Ancient Romans, clever though they were, had much idea of hygiene. And surely some things can remain sacred.

So I can't have privacy in the privy anymore! What is the world coming to!

In the Roman ruins at Salamis in North Cyprus there is a 44 seater latrine with hooks to hang your sponge on a stick and the whole thing was regularly flushed using the water from the next door baths.

Although I'd rather have privacy, it's any port in a storm and currently I won't go out unless I know there will be a toilet open for use.

Shades of 'bush stops' travelling around India, ladies one side of the road, gentlemen the other side of the road! One learned not to drink too much water or coffee!

BettyBoop49
Your mention of the Victorians reminded me of a family visit to the Gladstone Pottery 'Toilet Museum' in Stoke on Trent, when our children were young. They had a great time, trying out all the 'thrones'. I remember that there was a fascinating account of the history of the loo.
One loo that's well worth a visit is the Victorian 'Gents' Toilets in Rothesay, right by the Ferry terminal. Rated on Tripadvisor as no.4 out of 13 things to do on the Isle of Bute These are beautifully restored and well worth a visit. See pics on Tripadvisor! By comparison, the Ladies is modern, if a tad 'bland'.

Frankly, I prefer the so-called Turkish toilet in the public ones.

Hovering over a communal seat that I cannot make myself sit done on isn't my thing.

I rarely wear jeans so using the old-fashioned French toilets is easy, you don't need to crouch. After a little practise you can wee without wetting your legs or skirt.

I thought all girls went to wee with their best friends as schoolgirls. We did until our periods started.

Inishowen its been a bit of a nightmare here 0⁰with dh working from home as his "office" is near the bathroom and hes frequently on skype calls on loudspeaker and never closes the door!
I'm sure his colleagues have heard!!

I am anxious enough about people sat in the next cubicle from me let alone there not being a board between us. It has always been an anxiety of mine made far worse by an incident in an FE College a few years ago. I had a really bad stomach upset caused by antibiotics and was forced to go in the college loos rather than waiting until I got home. It was most unpleasant and when I opened the door there were a couple of girls there who took great delight in telling me what a dirty, smelly b*tch I was. I can't begin to tell you how upsetting I found it. Now I have IBS and I find it really distressing when I have to use toilet other than the disabled one.
No, I don't think I would find a communal toilet worked for me. I hate communal changing rooms too!

Never mind the Romans - didnt the Geogians sit and chat too? I may be wrong but I think it was the Victorians that started the trend for solo voiding!
Thomas Crapper has a lot to answer for.

No, I couldn't and it wouldn't be the first time I'd wet myself in the past either when there'd been no toilets around or they'd been less than perfect so this is what would happen if I was made to share one.

On a coach trip through France we'd stopped at a hole in the floor job, so I went behind a wall outside where another woman had the same idea so I hung on and waited for her to go----back turned, but I didn't like it even though it was a blessed relief.

I think I'd buy a pack of incontinence pads in case I was ever in a fix.

Memories of rural China where we took our young children in the 80s, no doors and just a low wall between each hole in the ceramic squat loo.
Certainly no place to hang a bag but we all had small rucksacks. I can’t remember if there was toilet paper but I know I never travelled anywhere in Asia without a toilet roll.

At last I understand why the children (girls in particular always want to do bathroom visits together. It’s their Roman ancestry!
Evidently the current craze is to send group photos from the toilet on Instagram or snapchat! When I expressed horror my DGD said, “But we’re not actually ON the toilets!”

There are reasons why we have moved on since Roman times. No thank you. Thieves would probably pickpocket while you sat in your sociable rows.

No thank you I like my privacy when using toilet.

Well, it does make one think!! I can remember in France I needed to go to the Loo, we were driving along and saw a sign ( it was out in the wilds). I had wondered if it would be a conventional loo, then saw an elderly lady coming out so decided it must be OK. To my horror when I went in I found a hole in the ground. Needs must, I fled out and jumped in the car, recommending if anyone wanted we find somewhere else!