A guide to finding Public Toilets

This inspired me to write a post on a guide to finding public toilets.

Screen shot of a conversation with my friend who was overseas.

It's not embarrassing to talk about nature calls. It's an everyday issue whereby every one of us has to go through. However, when you are overseas or in an unknown space, it is of good sense to know where are the public toilets. This knowledge is definitely helpful in maintaining your health and saving you from embarrassing situations. Luckily, here are some tips that I would like to share with you based on my personal experiences.

这激发了我写这一篇文章。

我们每个人都想過这个问题。这些知识无疑有助于保持您的健康并使您免于尴尬。根据我的个人经历，我想与您分享一些提議。

What are the Signs?

Now, before you go on a trip, it's good to know some of the terms and images that are associated with "toilets". Some called it the washrooms, restrooms, powder rooms... Most of the time, the majority of the places would just use the male and female signs. In Europe, the common term or signage used is the WC. Hence, it's highly recommended to know how to pronounce "toilet" in various languages or maybe save a copy of the toilet sign in your phone!

术语和图像

在你去旅行之前，了解一些与“厕所”相关的术语和图像是很好的。有人称它为洗手间，化妆间... ... 大多数时候，許多地方只使用男性和女性的标志。在欧洲，常用的术语或标志是WC。因此，我强烈建议您知道如何用各种语言发音“厕所”，或者在手机中保存厕所标志的副本！

Where to find Public Toilets?

哪里可以找到公共厕所？

1. Shopping Malls

You can't go wrong with shopping malls! There are toilets available in almost all the malls in the world. However, it's good to note that all malls have different designs. Some malls do not have a washroom at the ground level. There could be quite a distance between the male and female washrooms, sometimes it could be on different levels too. Just look out for the signages.

购物中心

世界上几乎所有的购物中心都有厕所。但是，值得注意的是，所有购物中心都有不同的设计。有些商场的地面没有洗手间。男性和女性洗手间之间可能存在相当大的距离，有时也可能处于不同的楼层。

2. Starbucks

I learnt this tip during my solo trip to New York City. I was shopping around in Times Square, and I could not find a restroom. Hence, I asked a sales lady. She kindly pointed out to me that I could find a toilet at Starbucks. Yes, STARBUCKS! Other than enjoying a good cup of coffee, you could find a washroom there. If not, there would be a washroom located near the coffee shop. I tested this theory, and so far, it has not failed me.

星巴克

我在纽约市的独自旅行中学到了这个技巧。我在时代广场购物，我找不到洗手间。因此，我问了一位销售小姐。她善意地向我指出，我可以在星巴克找到一个厕所。是的，在星巴克！除了享用一杯好咖啡外，你还可以在那里找到一间洗手间。如果没有，咖啡店附近会有一个洗手间。我测试了这个理论，到目前为止，它并没有让我失望。

3. Restaurants

Most restaurants, including fast food chains, would have a washroom within their premises. You may want to know that some restaurants only allow their customers to use the restaurant. In Europe, the restaurants' restrooms has an electronic lock on their doors. You would need to purchase food or beverages from the restaurants to request for the password to the washroom. Sometimes, the code is printed on the receipt. Now, you would think that you would be kind and share the code with others, but surprise! The service crew would change the password anytime they want.

餐馆

大多数的餐馆，包括快餐连锁店，都会在他们的场所内设有洗手间。一些餐馆只允许他们的顾客使用餐厅。在欧洲，餐厅的洗手间门上有一个电子锁。您需要从餐厅购买食物或饮料，以获取洗手间的密码。有时，代码会打印在收据上。你会认为你能与他人分享代码，但服务人员会随时更改密码。

4. Hospitals

There was once when I urgently need the washroom, and I was near a hospital. I did visit the hospital to use the restroom. Hence, I am sure you could be sure of this option too.

Finding a hospital in the urban city is easy. Sometimes, you could even spot one in the city area. Yes, you could use the toilets in the hospitals too. I am pretty sure that the bathrooms in the hospitals are clean and comforting to use when nature calls. However, do be mindful. You are encouraged to avoid using the accessible toilet (a.k.a handicap toilet; you are not encouraged to use this term anymore), due to the location that you are in.

医院

曾经有一次我需要上洗手间，我剛好在医院附近。我确实去过医院使用洗手间。因此，我相信你也可以确定这个选项。在城市寻找医院很容易。我很确定医院的浴室乾淨。但是，请注意。我们鼓励您避免使用无障碍厕所。

5. Police Station

Likewise, I did go to a washroom in a police station when I was in Taipei. I was walking around the market area and could not find a restroom anyway. My mother suggested that I go to the police station which was next door. At first, I was sceptical. However, much to my surprise, there's a public washroom.

You may want to note that not all police stations allow the public to use their washroom. Hence, this is not a safe bet. Nevertheless, I am sure the kind officers would be happy to point out the nearest restrooms to you.

警察局

我在台北的时候去了警察局的洗手间。我在市场区域，无论如何都找不到洗手间。我母亲建议我去隔壁的警察局。起初，我有點怀疑。您可能需要注意的是，并非所有警察局都允许公众使用他们的洗手间。不过，我相信亲切的官员会乐意指出最近的洗手间给你。

What if I am at the beach, in the middle of the forest, etc...?

Usually, there would be public restrooms spread out across famous beaches, forests and hiking trails. However, in times of nature calls, I could only wish you good luck. You may have to do it the army style. There are no other ways to relieve yourself.

如果我在海滩，森林中间等等怎么办？

通常，公共厕所将分布在着名的海滩，森林和远足小径上。

There's even an app to help you to find a public toilet!

Yes, what a surprise! With the latest technology, there are apps available that would locate the washroom around the area. One example would be Flush - Toilet Finder (iOS/Android). It may seem useful now, but remember this: you would need wifi to use the app. Thus, it always good to check out the surrounding and think on your feet and dash to the nearest washroom.

还有一个应用程序可以帮助您找到公共厕所！

你可应用程序找到该区域周围的洗手间。一个例子是 Flush - Toilet Finder (iOS/Android)。希望本指南对所有对此感到疑惑的人都有用！

Hopefully, this guide is useful to all of you who are always wondering about this!

希望本指南对此感到疑惑的人都有用！

x, Esther