Yep, a good one for my 'favourites'  almost said PAGE, but it is now a couple of pages long.  I'll just have to learn how to move them into folders.

I tried the link that took me to a discussion on Au v USA toilets.  It very accurately described my experience with USA toilets  ... the high water levels in the bowl not only suffer from 'splash back' as described in the link but they also require a modification to the wiping technique to avoid getting a wet hand in the process.

I found that the lack of consistent plumbing regs/practices in the USA almost as bad as in China (eg. just try to find an 'S' trap under the sink even in so called 5 star Chinese Hotels).  The 'Land of The Free' is anti regulation and China just has a history of extreme State control (regulation) and a very highly refined culture of getting around those regulations. 

But then the UK is an experience too. Their shower choofers are the worst.  At each new accomodation that we used SWMBO would ask me to turn on the shower for her.  Buggar me what a job.  With an on demand HWS switch on the wall or hanging from a cord from the roof; then to pull out a plunger on a tap set on the bath taps to direct the water to the usually rusted shower head; then try to work out how to regulate the temperature.  Each function had a miriad of options that usually resulted in me getting a drenching from the cold water shower.

When we first started to travel O/S I thought that I could write a book on Bathrooms around the world.  But I'm going well off topic  .. sorry.

Thanks DD for the link