Crucial Things Tourists Should Know Before Trying To Use A Self-Cleaning Bathroom In Europe

Traveling is all fun and games until you run into an awkward situation. From cultural and language barriers that lead to misunderstandings to unfamiliar technology that causes more problems than it solves, there's a lot you need to prepare for if you're going somewhere new. Europe, for example, is a treasure trove of innovative technology that many Americans are not used to. In Europe, public transportation is more efficient, chocolate and other delicacies taste better, and public restrooms tend to be more advanced. 

You'll find some of the oddest public restrooms in Europe. For example, one thing you won't see in the U.S. but will likely encounter a few times in Europe is a self-cleaning public restroom. This is a European bathroom feature American tourists are obsessed with. But be warned, these bathrooms have a learning curve. as TikTok creator @rivieradreamer's friend learned the hard way in Italy. 

The unexpected surprise tourists may encounter when using a European bathroom that self-cleans is getting trapped inside while a cleaning cycle runs, resulting in them being sprayed with water from head to toe. These public restrooms require payment before you're able to use it. Some may try to help family and friends save some money by holding the door open for them to go in, but doing this is a huge mistake. These bathrooms are single-use, and run a cleaning cycle after every user. As soon as the door closes after one person uses it, the bathroom runs its cycle, and anyone who steps in gets trapped inside and subsequently soaked. Another thing to note is that each use has a 15-minute time limit. If you're not done within that time, you'd better be ready for a swim. It should also be noted that these restrooms don't make change, so it's best to pay the exact amount.

A video posted on the r/damnthatsinteresting SubReddit shows the inside of one of these restrooms at work while the cleaning cycle is running. As shown, the restroom only accommodates one person at a time. After someone uses it, the door shuts completely and the toilet automatically retracts into a compartment in the wall. Water is then sprayed onto the floor from the side the door is on, and drains through a space near the opposite wall. Once the cycle is over, the door automatically reopens. 

Though the amount of water may not look like a lot, it's enough to ruin your day. Who wants to walk around a European city with soggy shoes? What's more interesting is something a few commenters noted. "Is it just me or does the spray not actually reach the base of the bowl where most of the mess would be?" asked @theflyinggerbil.

Many others agreed, even saying they had expected more sterilization. But considering the risk of folks getting stuck inside, this is probably the most these bathrooms can do without being death traps. It might not be the most effective, but it's better than nothing, and may be worth making use of on your next European trip.