3. Trash bags go on the street, not in a dumpster. Here, the trash system still involves workers who hang off the backs of trucks, hop off to grab the bags and then chase the truck down to hop back on. I imagine it's because the streets are too narrow for big dumpster trucks like those we have in the U.S. Unfortunately, this means there is always a lot of trash in the streets, either in bags or just floating around because dogs or people experiencing homelessness have torn them open.
4. Many public restrooms don’t have toilet seats. This might be weird to picture, but a lot of toilets here just have the bowl. At first it bothered me, but when you think about it, what does the extra layer of seat really add? I’ve found it's only problematic when the toilet bowl is so big, you’d fall in if you tried to sit on it, so a lot of times we just hover.
5. You often need to get the toilet paper before you enter the stall because the dispensers are outside. This has proven to be a bit of an issue for a lot of people when they aren’t sure if they’re going 1 or 2, or if they simply don’t grab enough toilet paper. Then there's this embarrassing dialogue between you and whoever is in the bathroom with you to ask for more. You get used to it, or you take too much.
6. In a lot of places, you have to pay to use the restroom. I’m surprised this isn’t more common in the U.S., as charging to use the restroom is a great way to capitalize on basic human needs. It’s usually only 1,000 or 2,000 pesos, or about a quarter, to use the restroom at public places like tourist spots and malls.
7. You also have to pay for toilet paper. Same issue here with not having enough.
