Why do many public bathrooms in Israel lack toilet seats?
I recently (during July) went on a bus tour to Northern Israel and during the trip we've made a few stops for snacks and a toilet break. When I went to visit the the bathroom, I've noticed that while the toilets were relatively clean, they all lacked a toilet seat. This was the case both on gas stations and near tourist sites.
What is the reasoning behind this? Are they afraid of people stealing the toilet seats or something?
Best Answer
I had a similar issue when hiking in Northern Israel in March. I camped at several sites where the restrooms didn't have seats, paper towels weren't stocked, etc.
I heard the reason for my experience was due to it being the off-season for camping.
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Answer 2
As far as I can tell, from my own knowledge and experience in Israel, the answer is more simple than most think: vandalism.
Israel got lots of teenagers who are damaging public property on purpose, wherever and whenever they can. The reasoning for them doing it is beyond the scope of this question and site, so I won't go there.
Toilet seats are also one of their victims, they just break them on purpose. Of course that proper management will replace the seats, but in places where such teenagers visit often, it becomes an expense they just can't afford, and since they can't install security cameras or place guards in the toilets, it can't really be stopped, so their only option is to leave the toilets without seats to break.
Answer 3
Actually, not many public bathrooms in Israel lack a toilet seat. Certainly not in the cities. I've hardly ever encountered that; although, to be frank, I don't really go traveling by car in the North.
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