You Should Notice That...

"Bathrooms" (remember they're actually called "WC"s here)
Germany’s plumbing is very similar to that of North America on this point, but a few critical details still loom about potentially posing a threat to you as you become comfortable with the familiarity.

31. Not on the front, side, other side, or wall can a handle for flushing be found. On every toilet here you must simply push a button, even in homes. Finding that button is sometimes tricky, but it is usually on the wall above the toilet, where the upright water tank is on its North American-style counterpart. Be careful though, this button is a two way switch, push one half and the toilet flushes, the other half and the process stops suddenly (to prevent overflowing due to plugging if it occurs). You can use a little trial-and-error if you panic.

32. German toilets have very little water actually in the bowl. Just know.

33. In someone's home the door to the toilet/bath is always closed. Who wants to see the toilet whenever they walk by? It is confusing to know if it's being used though, which brings me to my next point...

34. Always lock the door when you are using the WC in someone's house. You never know who might barge in if you don't. (Thankfully I don't know this from personal experience.)

35. The first thing to know when you're headed for a WC in a public place is that "D" is for women (Damen) and "H" is for men (Herren). After you're safely in the correct one it is very easy to notice if a stall is currently occupied or not--the doors have white/red indicators on them to show if they are locked (and therefore occupied). No more peering under the door to check for feet! (and I must also comment that I can only speak for the women's WC, sorry guys)

36. I guess a prerequisite to actually discerning the "D" or "H" is knowing that in gas stations, train stations, some stores, and a few restaurants you'll have to leave some change for the nice lady (or man) who cleans the place. She sits at the entrance, usually at a small table with a plate or bowl containing the previous users' donations. Twenty cents is usually a good amount, and I've found that once I pay I really do enjoy the rest of my WC experience much more (I mean I paid for it, so why not really appreciate the cleanliness!).

37. I forgot to put on my list of funny German words the word for bathroom: "Bad." Nice hey.

Ever wonder what's so different about driving in Germany? I'll tell you in my next post!