What is the toilet etiquette in Mexico?
Once in Mexico, one is quite useful to know the customs and etiquette at the local level. Among those is something many seem to miss—a great many appear to miss out on—toilet etiquette. It is different from everywhere else. Here we get into the dos and don'ts when using the restrooms while traveling in Mexico, especially in a vibrant city like Mexico City.
General Practices
Dispose of Toilet Paper: Generally, in Mexico, toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed through, at least in older buildings, homes in the country, and outlying rural areas. Toilet paper is meant to be disposed of in a wastebasket next to the toilet. This again does not contribute to plumbing problems because most of the systems are not designed to handle paper goods. Just look for signs which clearly instruct on how to use the toilet paper.
For those traveling from Seattle, you're going to have to adjust your expectations as to what you are going to find for restroom facilities. Many public restrooms charge a minimal admission fee, about 3-5 pesos, and you may even encounter toilets that do not even have toilet paper. So it pays to have your own roll, much like you pay to have the services of Deep Cleaning Seattle so that your house is always ready for guests.
You see, in Mexico, in most places you don't flush toilet paper; it must be neatly thrown away in the trash can in the stall. I was repelled at first by the notion, but after living in Morelia, Michoacán for some time, when I returned to the states the first week or so my hand after well, wiping naturally reached over to throw the t.p. in the can. It took some time to break the habit—a bit of reverse culture shock. You might also notice that some toilets don't have seats. It is not because they have broken but rather because in Mexico, toilets and toilet seats are sold separately. I found that out after having a conversation with a store clerk.
She explained, " What happens is the toilets since they are percalins come from one factory and the lids because they are made out of plastic so they get sold separately since they come from another factory”
BEST TRAVELING IN MEXICO TIP
ALWAYS CARRY A ROLL OF T.P. with you and have at least 10 pesos to pay for bathroom entry! I learned this the hard way. I was in Morelia, Michoacán, studying abroad. I took a quick trip to the bathroom. After using the facilities, I reached in for the toilet paper and to my chagrin, NOTHING! I mean not even a square of t.p. Not the most pleasant experience I have had, but oh, it was indeed a lesson learned! Never again left the house without a full-sized roll of t.p…. Many places will have public bathrooms, but you pay on average 3-5 pesos to use them. There is usually an attendee who lets you in and gives you a few squares of t.p. That's right… ONLY a FEW squares of t.p.! And sometimes that is just not enough! So having the roll of t.p. in your bag or pocket comes in very handy!
So in summary of toilet etiquette in Mexico:
- ALWAYS carry a roll of toilet paper with you!
- Keep 5-10 pesos with you in order to enter a public restroom!
Don't flush toilet paper; put it in the trash! Remember that many large resorts have their own water treatment facilities, so it's all right to flush. But most locations, including most small towns, expect you NOT to flush your paper.
Public Toilets: Public toilets are really something to be dreaded, sometimes. Ranging from clean facilities to utterly unhygienic ones that may even lack basic facilities, you should sometimes carry some hand sanitizer, and maybe even toilet paper or wipes with you.
Use of water: In some areas, there is a problem of scarcity when it comes to water. Thus, you have to be very keen on your usage of water when washing your hands or flushing the toilet. You'll find most of the toilets in institutions have dual-flush facilities to save water.
Cultural Awareness
Comprehension of toilet etiquette in relation to cultural context may also enhance your trip. For example, you are likely to be pretty reserved and polite when visiting a bathroom. You are not likely to be making much noise or creating a ruckus in a bathroom in public because it sometimes is regarded as a much more private place than it would be in other locations.
An added point is when you are in the home setting where you should express concern by asking your host what they prefer about using the toilets and how to dispose of the paper. This is proof that you respect the customs and will not make any mistakes.
Hygiene Practices
Public toilets must be kept clean. Soap should be washed on the hands properly after using a toilet. If soap is not available, then hand sanitizer can be used as a convenient alternative. Areas like markets or tourist attraction, which are always crowded, have attendants who provide soap and towels at a little amount of money; you tip the attendant for his or her service.
If you are one of those who care about keeping homes or offices clean, then you can simply get a reliable professional cleaning service, such as Deep Cleaning Seattle or Sparkly Maid NYC, to hold hygiene standards according to your values.
Conclusion
Going through the toilet etiquette in Mexico is somehow a daunting process unless you are better prepared with what little knowledge you are exposed to. Be mindful of your toilet paper when you use it because you should not dispose it in such toilets. Whether it's Mexico City or some lesser cities, all you have to do is be observant of such nuances and you would fit in perfectly.
It would be awesome to begin to think on how the right personal hygiene habits extend toward the living environments. Cleaning services such as Deep Cleaning Seattle can ensure that living places are always kept at high standards both before and after your travels. It applies the same way for those based in New York City; with cleaning services from Sparkly Maid NYC, your home can be sparkling clean even if you are living a fast life.
Then, by embracing these practices and showing respect to the local traditions, you enrich your travel experience and contribute positively to the communities you visit. Have a fun journey through Mexico!
