Ladies and gents, it's time to come clean: Living in the UAE has made me a public toilet snob
For all the wonderful things the UAE has given me over the past decade, it has also introduced an unexpected downside: higher standards for women's public toilets On a recent two-week trip across Europe , I realised just how much of a toilet snob I'd become. Before agreeing to use one, I found myself asking my friends: “Is it clean? Is it spacious? Does it smell OK?” If there was even the…
Over the past decade, the United Arab Emirates has brought an unexpected consequence, a heightened standard for women's public toilets. While on a two-week European trip, this reporter found themselves questioning every bathroom's cleanliness, space, and odor before using it. Any hesitation led to disappointment on their face and a decision to wait it out.
This shift in standards occurred as the UAE places a high emphasis on cleanliness and safety, making any less than immaculate facilities feel unacceptable. The reporter, who previously lived in the US, found it hard to accept lower standards and noticed gaps and privacy issues in stalls that didn't bother them before. They also appreciated the UAE's accessibility, with clean public toilets often available free of charge at various locations, a rarity in other cities.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
