A few weeks ago, I had Israeli friends visiting me here in the Netherlands. And they told me how surprised they were about the toilets in the Netherlands. They complained about the “shallow flusher”, which was just gross!
A Dutch “shallow flusher” toilet
They were used to the traditional “deep flusher” used in most other countries. The shallow flusher has a flat surface, a plateau, which is basically dry. But why use the shallow flusher? To be honest of you, I am a fan.
First, the shallow flusher is very useful for studying waste – it tells you a lot apparently. Second, the water does not splash back on your buttocks when using it. Very useful and hygienic!
Gezellig
Apart from this different toilet, many Dutch households also decorate the small lavatory extensively. And small it is: sometimes you sit with your knees against the door!
It can be decorated with different colored little mats to rest your feet on, little ornaments, and other neat things. One thing that will always be there, is a wall calendar, as for example a scheurkalender, with one sheet for each day. The inhabitants of the house will also have the birthdays of all their acquaintances and friends in that calendar! Additionally, something you will see a lot are news papers, magazines, and frequently, the Donald Duck. This is the Mickey Mouse Magazine in the Netherlands – one of the most circulated weeklies in the country. So prepare for some funny Disney stories while taking your time in the quiet room.
In Dutch, the toilet is actually called de WC (water closet). It is pronounced with capital letters, resembling saying way-say. Another word used is het toilet, which is the same spelling as in English, but is pronounced the French way (from toilette). It would sound like twalet. Both words can also be used
de WC/het toilet – the toilet
Other ways to say it
Going to the toilet is not seen as the most polite way to announce that you need to go. It is often seen as unnecessary, and just getting up from, say, the dinner table, is enough to know what you are going to do. Of course, if you do not know where the toilet is, or you would like to be polite about it, you can ask:
Waar kan ik de WC vinden? – where can I find the lavatory?
Yes, in the Netherlands, the lavatory is referred to simply as WC, as in the end, it is the most thing in that room!
If you have to say that you are going to the toilet, there are some euphemisms that can help you:
Een kleine boodschap doen – Deliver a small message.
even moeten – just having to go (ik moet alweer! – I have to go again!)
omgekeerd eten – eating in reverse
Het was weer twee keer doortrekken – I had to flush twice again
Well, you get the message!
Do you think these kind of toilets are weird?
Are you used to small lavatories, and do you know other cultures where they are decorated so much?
