Today is World Toilet Day

We kid you not. There’s a day and a week for everything these days and although we tend to delete the ‘National semi-colon day’ ‘Take your webmaster to lunch day’ ‘National chilli month’ and ‘International chicken wing week’ emails, World Toilet Day does have some very good intentions (visit www.worldtoilet.org for more on that and how to get involved in ‘the Big Squat’) and particularly interesting world facts about public toilet habits as sent to us by travel search engine Skyscanner...

Toilet restaurant, Taipei, Taiwan
Toilets and dining don’t mix, that is unless you’re in the ‘Modern Toilet’ restaurant in Taipei. Here, diners sit on toilet bowls (lid down of course) to eat their meals which are served in toilet shaped dishes and include such delights as ‘Mr Whippy’ shaped ice cream. Perhaps not an ideal restaurant for those who are squeamish, it’s nevertheless popular with the locals.

Loo with a view, Mix Lounge, Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las VegasVisits to the ‘stylishly hip’ Mix Lounge nightclub on the top floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel can enjoy more than just cocktail concoctions and cutting edge cuisine. A trip to the toilet here offers spectacular views of Las Vegas from each cubicle which look out through floor to ceiling windows. Those taking helicopter tours of Vegas may see more than they bargained for if they fly too close to the top floor of this 43-storey hotel.

Europe’s highest toilet, Mont Blanc
You don’t necessarily have to catch a flight to Las Vegas to find a commode with a commanding view. Ending an era of climbers having to make their deposits behind rocks, the special toilets atop of Mont Blanc were designed by French company Ecosphere Technologies especially for the cold, dry mountain conditions. Costing a whopping 145,000 Euros to install, hopefully climbers will appreciate spending a penny here.

Urilift, London - now you see it, now you don't

‘Urilift’ pop-up pee pods, London
Like a magical toilet born from the underworld, these sleek, futuristic ‘pee pods’ rise from the ground after dark in city centres all over Europe. Designed to cut down on the problem of wayward widdling, these pop-up pissoirs collect liquid waste from those caught short all night, before sinking back down in to the ground by sunrise.

Intelligent toilets, Tokyo
Japan has long been known for its high-tech toilets which play music, warm the seat and even talk to you. The complex looking control pad may confuse depositors at first, but discovering which button squirts water where, is all part of the fun. Visit any modern hotel or shopping centre in the country and you’re likely to have the pleasure of passing water into one of these space age potties.

And last but not least... Piss pots, Piccadilly Gardens, ManchesterThese male urinals are officially an eyesore but have also proved to be a handy addition to those left bursting for the loo having just walked through Piccadilly Gardens to the flowing sounds of the fountains. Apparently even women have been spotted squatting at this anti-tourist destination.

Piccadilly Gardens piss pots