Such a map will be created soon in Tel Aviv and placed on the city streets. The idea to install map stands arose after numerous complaints from residents of tourist areas, whose yards and entrances were used for clearly unintended purposes. People complained that the city lacked public restrooms, but an inspection showed that there were enough toilets; tourists simply could not find them. Currently, the city hall is compiling a complete list of places where one can relieve oneself. A detailed version of the 'toilet map' will also appear on the Internet.
The example for Israelis was Australia, which created its map four years earlier. The first of its kind and still the only nationwide electronic map of public toilets was conceived at the annual meeting of the Australian Foundation for the Relief of People Suffering from Enuresis. The project was supported by the federal government, which last month allocated an additional 1.5 million Australian dollars to projects aimed at alleviating the plight of people with incontinence. The map contains information about where public toilets are located, what time they are open, and whether they are equipped with wheelchairs. In addition, the developers planned to establish a rating system for these 'charitable establishments', similar to hotel ratings, which would indicate how clean, safe, etc. the toilets are.
In July 2003, the association announced the 'Happy Toilet' competition. Depending on conditions, establishments were awarded three to five stars, as in the hotel business. A sign with stars adorns the toilet for exactly one year and is immediately removed if citizens complain about a decline in standards.
• By good toilet standards, foreign consumers mean not only cleanliness and convenient location of these public facilities, but also service. Customers always note those establishments that use the best toilet paper brands. These include, for example, the ZEWA toilet paper line, offering new two-ply Zewa Plus toilet paper, which has greater strength and softness, and is also free of dyes.
However, if you cannot access the Internet, then, as the map site Toiletmap.gov.au promises, anyone can request a map from the municipality, as well as from other services – such as automobile associations, tourist information centers, and support services. Separate electronic maps of public toilet locations will appear in 2007 on the streets of Sydney. On displays that will be placed in crowded places and at public transport stops, several thousand public and private toilets located within the city limits will be marked. The innovation has already cost 30 million Australian dollars (about $21 million).
One of the world's largest megacities, the capital of Japan, Tokyo, also took care of tourists. Moreover, on the Tokyo Toilet Map website, you can not only study the location of WC stalls but also view photos of the cleanest and dirtiest toilets. Separately, art lovers are offered to view and visit toilets with the most luxurious graffiti.
For some reason, the Chinese did not immediately decide to experiment in large cities. So they conducted an experiment in the city of Changchun, the administrative center of the northeastern province of Jilin. They also calculated that there are only 2,200 public toilets, 400 of which are within the city limits, which is below the norm. A map of toilets was published in a local newspaper, 3,000 free copies of which were distributed to taxi drivers.
There are analogues of such piquant guides in Russia as well. For the 300th anniversary of the northern capital, 'Vodokanal St. Petersburg' issued booklets with a map of public toilet locations and a city map. True, there are only 61 stationary restrooms on the map. The situation is saved by numerous 'blue cabins', but you will have to look for them without a map.
However, there are free public toilets that exist in dozens of countries around the world. Of course, they are not specifically designated as toilets, but any enterprising citizen will not miss the opportunity. 'McDonald's is a network of free toilets worldwide,' jokes the youth. Although, strictly speaking, in some places the toilets of this global chain are free only with the purchase of fast food. But for the USA, the corporation added a mapping service 'Trip Planner' to its website. Trip Planner will indicate the nearest eateries; just enter the name of your city or state in the search page text field. One of the reviews on the site shows that Americans also do not forget about the additional benefits of famous 'eateries': 'You always need to know where there are McDonald's along the way – they have clean toilets!' For the special convenience of those in need, the site also has a version for PDAs and mobile phones.
In general, he who seeks always finds. But knowing where to look is much more pleasant.