sweasel.com

I managed a 5-day R&R in Japan once, long ago. Got off the tour bus. Everyone got off the tour bus, GIs, Civilians, men, women, all streaming into the bus station which was a market store. The line of people continued to the back of the store where the toilets were. Everyone went into the to toilets, men, women, civilians, GI’s. Men went to the urinals, women went into the stalls. Everyone washed their hands and went shopping in the store.

My understanding is that it has to do with the cleanliness of the interior, although the NYT article I read never quite explained the connection. . .but I think it might be something about being able to see if it’s clean before you go in. . .
And my assumption was that whenthe glass goes opaque, it’s opaque both ways. . .so, no view of the park, but at least you’d be alerted to the fact if you were still visible to tout or monde. . .

many years and at least three earthquakes ago there was a place called Heiholds first (and Last ) chance in Oaklands, Jack London Square… besides being constructed from the fo’castle of a whaleing ship…(Really) they had a fake closed circuit TV system to monitor the restroom. had a TV in front of the stool that showed the bar, and one over the bar that showed the throne… that one was just a loop. but people would convulse when they came out and sat at the bar, and saw that shot of the stool the were uh familiar(?) with!

I saw a semi-humorous item about this and looked a bit deeper. This article in Archinect has photos and describes multiple entries in The Tokyo Toilet¹ project.

The architect of the on/off wall transparency loo is Shigeru Ban, who (assuming anyone’s interested)

was the winner in 2005 at age 48 of the 40th annual Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He was profiled by Time Magazine in their projection of 21st century innovators in the field of architecture and design.

1. I don’t wanna get spambanned for two links, so here’s where to go for the TT project: httpscolonslashityslash tokyotoilet.jp/en/

It’s only ever a matter of time before any of us have to get back on the toilet.

That said, it is one of life’s simple pleasures.

Well then, it’s time to talk about famous books about toilets then eh?
Perhaps about famous books read in the, as my college roommate ‘Dave’ used to say, “The Library”.

@Gebrauchshund, good point –
As Donovan observed –
“It makes it all so ordinary.
Just like you and me.
To know your greatest heroes,
they had to shit and pee.”

I dunno. I spent a career in the Army, several years of which were without facilities having proper plumbing. Much of that time was without proper modesty enclosures for the, uh, facilities.
I wouldn’t *want* to have my nether parts hanging in the wind, but if such was the only way to offload, then so be it. Others may have to run and hide their eyes, but ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Expanding on the “one of life’s simple pleasures’ statement…

When have you ever NOT felt better after a productive visit to the porcelain facilities?

I rest my case.

It was only ever a matter of time before I got back on toilets.

ISWYDT

Not only can you see if it’s clean before you go in, you can see if there is any tissue. Most importantly, you can make sure there isn’t a pervert or rapist hiding inside. And for safety’s sake, I’d want these glass walls lined with 1/2″ plexiglass and the door to have a 2 or 3 bar security latch. That way these stalls could be escape zones from muggers if needed. Being a Japanese invention, they could also have built in alarm systems that would call the authorities if you’re in there for more than 15 minutes. You don’t them to become homeless shelters, suicide booths, etc.