Questions tagged [hygiene]
Questions relating to cleanliness and prevention of diseases and infections while travelling.
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Where can "public showers" be found in Taiwan?
I've been travelling on foot and by hitchhiking and sleeping in a tent in many countries and now I'm doing so in Taiwan.
But in some countries it's really easy to keep fresh.
In Turkey I was often ...
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What is and is not appropriate for eating fried/grilled chicken and fish at Malay eateries in Malaysia?
This question is just about Malay culture and food. I know Indian and Chinese Malaysian food culture and etiquette probably varies, and I have more experience with those, so trying to keep this ...
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Is "gutter oil" a problem in any other country besides China?
China has a known problem with "counterfeit" cooking oil made illegally by gangs. Not just inferior cooking oil relabelled as well-regarded brands, but made from waste oil and rotting animal parts.
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Where to find public water taps in the Netherlands?
We are wandering around the Netherlands (on foot, hitchhiking, and by bicycle). We aren't sleeping in campsites, but just putting our tent anywhere "in the bush". We are used to travelling this way in ...
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OK, we are all adults here, so how do the doors and controls work on an airplane toilet?
I had connecting flights on two Boeing Aircraft -
Point A - B - A Boeing 777-300 ER
Point B - C - A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The first one was a short haul flight
While the second one was a longish ...
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How can I wash myself Indian-style (using water not toilet paper) in Western toilets?
As an Indian I have grown up in Delhi using water to wash after using the toilet instead of toilet paper. In Indian culture this is considered a cleaner practice because of the use of water in order ...
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Is sweating more common during air travel?
When I'm travelling by air, my clothes (underwear in particular) seem to collect more sweat than usual. This happens even when the environment is not particularly warm, I'm not wearing a jumper or ...
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Why do many public bathrooms in Israel lack toilet seats?
I recently (during July) went on a bus tour to Northern Israel and during the trip we've made a few stops for snacks and a toilet break. When I went to visit the the bathroom, I've noticed that while ...
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How to use dual flush button in toilet?
I've seen this thing first time in my new room. Dual flush tank (see image 2, it's not an actual photo, but where I live has similar thing as this one).
Usually, I saw a flush with either a liver or ...
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How suicidal are electric "suicide showers?"
Some people refer to the showers commonly found in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia which have an electric heating element built into the head as "suicide showers" due to the apparent risk of ...
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What is a 'sparrow bath' and how do you do it in airport bathroom?
I read in How to hide your bodily odors after a long flight? that you can take a 'sparrow bath' to freshen in an airport bathroom when traveling.
How do you take the sparrow bath?
How do you ...
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How to use sinks with separate hot/cold taps?
I just traveled to Ireland. I was amazed to find that water sinks (at home, restaurants and public) have separate taps for hot and cold water.
If you use only the cold water, your hands freeze. If ...
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Finding public shower in Europe
While there are plenty of questions on SE Travel like Where to shower in X or Y I wasn't able to find a common approach to finding cheap or free public showers. For example, how do long-haul truckers ...
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Are the hoses in toilets in Asia something I should know about?
I have noticed random bits of hose without proper fittings before I think for example in India and just assumed they are for use by the cleaners or for filling the water jug in squat toilets.
But Now ...
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How to get clean bed linens at hotels?
At the hotel I'm staying at right now I've noticed that the bed linens aren't changed when the room and bed are made. Towels are changed only if put on the floor but that isn't unusual.
How can I ...
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Using restroom on airplane while fasten seatbelt light is on?
This question about Why do flight attendants continue to stand, when the seatbelt set is on? over on aviation.stackexchange.com made me wonder what a passenger is supposed to do when they urgently ...
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How to vomit during a flight?
Last time I travelled I wasn't feeling quite well just before boarding the plane. I either had eaten something wrong or a flu just appeared. The thought of having to vomit during the flight made me ...
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What's the use for this shower drain cover?
I'm staying in an apartment in Mexico and found this mysterious shower drain cover/cap/lid in the bathroom, made out of plastic:
Is it to prevent insects from crawling out? To prevent bad smells from ...
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Is it safe to drink the water from the fountains found all over the older parts of Rome?
When I visited Rome and walked around the older sections, I saw many different types of fountains that were constantly running with water. Some went into the ground, some collected in basins, etc.
Is ...
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Are there any shower facilities at Heathrow Airport?
I have a very early flight in Heathrow airport Terminal 4 and was wondering if there are any shower facilities at Heathrow airport and how much they will cost?
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Is there a place I can take a shower in or near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport?
Are there any places where I can take a shower in or near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport? If so, how much does it cost?
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Do hotels in Japan always have manual baths in their rooms?
In Japan, most homes have automatic baths which set up the bath at a pre-set temperature and pre-set level. However twice I stayed at high priced hotels and the room bath was a manual bath like you ...
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I have discovered that the hotel room toilet is blocked, but too late. What should I do?
Ok, I have used the toilet after holding myself for too long because of a long haul flight and I am not comfortable using the airplane's lavatory. The problem is, after releasing all the damn load, I ...
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OK we're all adults here, so really, how on earth should I use a squat toilet?
OK so for anyone that's travelled beyond North America and Western Europe you know what I'm talking about.
Left: Romania, last year. Right: Turkey, last night.
They start popping up in the Balkans ...
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What is this item used for?
What is the following item use for?
I got it with a nail polisher, and bunch of other hygiene items. Here's what was included:
one nail file
two nail clippers
ear cleaner
cotton pliers
small ...
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How to use toilet paper
If someone who has never used toilet paper ever travels to countries where only toilet paper is used - how could one learn to use toilet paper?
One of my (Asian) colleagues who is more of a friend ...
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What is this lever in Argentinian toilets?
I've seen it in some places in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's not used for flushing the toilet, there's a separate button for that.
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Can customers really request a return of restaurant food in the USA?
In the US version of the TV show Kitchen Nightmares, I see customers returning food for any reason. But when I am in the US, I pointed out problems with the food in restaurants. They apologized but ...
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How to know "your number" for a machine haircut in a foreign country?
When traveling for an extensive period of time, you may need to get a haircut in a country where you do not speak the language.
I usually get a machine haircut and just saying or showing the number (...
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Do microfibre towels dry quicker and absorb more water?
I am going to be doing a tour of Europe, visiting like 20 countries in 49 days and staying in hostels and cheap hotels. Given all this travelling, I think it is possible that my towel may not always ...
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Public Shower in Mallorca [closed]
does anyone have a tip for a public shower on Mallorca? We will travel only in the car. Thank you.
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What is a "Partially open bathroom"?
I was browsing London hotels on hotels.com and noticed that many, in the room information section, said they had "partially open bathrooms". This includes one where the room is described as en-suite. ...
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Standard for Body Odor
Is there a standard for body odor? A family was denied passage on flight from MIA because of alleged body odor. Some cases are clear, others are not.
This family vehemently denies the odor claim:...
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When is it unacceptable to use accessible/disabled toilet stalls?
While traveling around the world, one will often stumble upon bathrooms for people who are physically disadvantaged:
Here in North America, I wouldn't think twice before using these bathrooms, as I ...
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What's the easiest way to relieve oneself in a car?
Ok, I know we're all adults here, but this is something that happens inevitably in most family trips I believe; it's occurred in our own family trips.
You're driving on the road to your destination. ...
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How much toilet paper can I flush without clogging an European toilet?
I am from a country where the toilet paper is not flushed but thrown to a bin close to the toilet. I think that the European system is more hygienic, but I always have this question when I use the ...
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How to clean yourself after you've used this style of western toilet in India? [duplicate]
I saw this type of toilet (see image 2) in North India. The commode is same as most of the others. But I couldn't find the jet (see image 1) which is generally attached with the seat.
So I'm ...
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Should I put toilet paper in airplane toilets?
During a recent international flight my 4 year old daughter informed me that I shouldn't put toilet paper in the toilet but should instead use the bin provided.
My gut told me she was wrong, however ...
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Showering facilities at Kings Cross station - Where are they and what are they like?
On the National Rail enquiries page for Kings Cross station, it simply states:
Showers - Yes
Ideally, I'd like a little bit more information than that! Such as where they are, how much they cost, ...
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Handwash on the go
I am searching for some time for a small "pocket soap" which does not require water.
Based on the comments below, there is basically:
Soap: Dissolves in water and helps to remove oils and dirt that'...
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So what can I do to avoid being "that" passenger with bad hygiene?
What can I do if I'm seated next to a person with bad hygiene on an airplane?
I've been that passenger several times, typically on connecting flights after a transoceanic leg. I really try hard ...
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Regulations regarding cleaning of plane water cooking equipment?
Inspired by this question over at MiYodeya, does anyone know of specific practices or regulations regarding the use and cleaning of water urns on planes?
Specific questions would be
are water urns ...
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My seatmate has digestive problems causing unpleasant smell. What ought the cabin crew do?
After my mom's Air Transat flight took off, her seatmate started to fart stinkingly. She can't tactfully complain to the cabin crew, as her seatmate'd know that she snitched on him. Fully opening ...
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What happens if all toilets become inoperative during a flight?
The other day, I was on a flight and two of the toilets in my zone were blocked with a sign saying "Inoperative", I had to walk down the aisle to the back to use the toilet there. I asked a cabin crew ...
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Where can I take a shower at Dubai Airport?
I've got two transfers between long-haul flights coming up at DXB, and I'd like to freshen up with a shower. Information on the net is outdated and contradictory, and the official site is remarkably ...
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Are there trains without WC in the Netherlands?
I have read some news that in the Netherlands there are no WCs in some short-distance trains because it would be too expensive.
Is it true that there are urinal bags in these trains? How can I check, ...
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OK, we are all adults here, so what is a bidet for and how do I use it?
Confession time: I am from one of these barbaric countries where the use of the bidet is not widespread. So I have no idea...
Question 1: What is the bidet good for?
Question 2: How do I use it?
...
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Locating Public Toilets in Europe
During my travels i often walk a lot and google has not been very helpful in locating Public Toilets.
Any there apps or maps available for locating Public toilets in Europe [Germany, Iceland, Czech ...
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What to do with long facial hair in the onsen?
I have been told that, when soaking in the Japanese onsen, the hair must not touch the water, so people with long hair tie it to a knot. Does the same principle apply to facial hair? I have a goatee ...
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Do airlines reuse in-flight blankets?
Question:
Is there any evidence that any of the world's largest airlines1 (e.g. American Airlines, Delta, United) reuse the blankets that are often handed out on international flights, with or without ...
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