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Bathroom habits vary widely across cultures, and our latest survey dives into the differences between the UK and the US. From comfort levels in public restrooms to personal hygiene preferences, we uncovered surprising insights into how Britons and Americans approach bathroom behaviour. In this article, we explore everything from public restroom struggles to the quirks of pooping at home, revealing how people on both sides of the pond navigate their daily bathroom routines.
Key Findings
- 57% of Britons struggle to find public restrooms compared to 39% of Americans.
- 28% of Britons are comfortable with pooping and farting in front of their significant other, compared to 32% of Americans.
- 85% of Britons think not washing your hands or bum after you poop is a non-negotiable when looking for a partner, compared to 82% of Americans.
- 8% of Americans do not wash their butts regularly.
- 8% of Britons think bringing food and/or drinks into the bathroom is appropriate, compared to 13% of Americans.
- Roughly 1 in 20 Britons and Americans have pooped in the shower.
Public Restrooms Practices
Public restrooms often bring discomfort, but do attitudes toward using them differ between the UK and the US?
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Our study found that 56% of Britons were uncomfortable with pooping in public restrooms, with men (54%) more likely than women (36%) to feel uneasy. Gen X and Gen Z had the highest discomfort rates at 66%, followed by baby boomers (51%) and millennials (49%). Interestingly, 63% of Britons said they would feel comfortable using a toilet on a plane, while for Americans, it was slightly lower at 60%.
Almost half of Americans (48%) also reported feeling uncomfortable using public restrooms for pooping, with women (51%) slightly more so than men (49%). Among generations, millennials (51%) were the most reluctant to use public facilities, followed by Gen X (45%), Gen Z (43%), and baby boomers (41%).
The condition of "poop shyness"—feeling embarrassed or anxious about pooping in public places—was more common among UK women (66%) than men (40%). In the US, poop shyness followed a similar trend, with 58% of women and 46% of men feeling this discomfort.
Finding public restrooms was a struggle for 57% of Britons, compared to only 39% of Americans. In the UK, 60% of men and 54% of women struggled to locate public toilets when in need. Gen X had the most trouble (68%), followed by millennials (57%). In the US, 44% of women and 33% of men had difficulty finding a loo, with Gen X (47%) struggling the most.
When asked about adding bidets to public restrooms, 47% of UK men and 43% of women were in favour. Gen Z (59%) and millennials (44%) were the strongest supporters. In comparison, US men (61%) favoured bidet access more than women (48%). Gen Z (65%) and millennials (59%) again showed the most support.
Pooping, Farting, and Hygiene Habits Among Couples
Navigating comfort levels in a relationship can be tricky, especially when it comes to bodily functions like pooping and farting. How open are Britons and Americans about these habits?
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When it comes to feeling comfortable pooping or farting in front of a partner, only 28% of Britons were at ease with both, compared to 32% of Americans.
In the UK, women were slightly more comfortable with both (29%) than men (27%). However, more UK men were comfortable with just farting in front of their partner (43%) than women (33%). Baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials tied in the UK for comfort with both pooping and farting (29%), while Gen Z had a slightly lower comfort level (26%).
Across the pond, American men (34%) were more comfortable than women (29%) doing both in front of a loved one. Millennials stood out as the generation most likely to poop and fart in front of their partner (40%), while Gen X were the least likely (17%).
Hygiene also plays a significant role in partner preferences. A large majority—85% of Britons—said not washing your hands or bum after pooping was a non-negotiable when looking for a partner. Almost the same number of Americans shared this opinion (82%), but 8% admitted to not washing their butts regularly.
We also looked at wiping direction habits to see how people get the job done. In the UK, 86% of women wipe front to back, while 74% of men did the same. Similarly, 87% of women in the US wipe front to back, with men trailing behind at 74%. Only 1% of respondents from both countries believed you don't need to wipe after pooping every time.
Comfort with intimate activities involving a partner's butt if it had been thoroughly cleaned was higher among UK men (68%) compared to women (35%). British millennials showed the highest comfort level at 58%, while baby boomers were the least comfortable at 40%. In the US, 64% of men were comfortable with this, while only 39% of women agreed. American baby boomers were the most comfortable with this (62%), while Gen X was the least at 45%.
Bathroom Habits and Accidents
From surprising bathroom mishaps to questionable behaviours, our survey highlights some eye-opening habits in both the UK and the US.
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Only 8% of Britons thought bringing food and drinks into the bathroom was appropriate, compared to 13% of Americans. UK men (10%) were slightly more comfortable with the idea than women (6%). British millennials were the most likely to find this habit acceptable (10%), while baby boomers and Gen Z were the least open to it (6%).
In the US, men were slightly more comfortable with bringing food and drinks into the bathroom (13%) compared to women (11%), with Gen X showing the highest acceptance (17%) and Gen Z the least (5%).
Another surprising finding was that roughly 1 in 20 Britons and Americans admitted to pooping in the shower. In the UK, 6% of men had done so, with millennials being the most likely. No British women or baby boomer men reported this behaviour. Men in the US (8%) were also more likely than women (5%) to admit to it, with millennials again being the most likely.
Pooping your trousers turned out to be more common than expected. In the US, 54% of men and 45% of women reported experiencing it at some point. Baby boomers led with 66%, followed by millennials (52%), Gen X (49%), and Gen Z (39%).
In the UK, just under half of men (48%) and over a quarter of women (27%) admitted to this mishap, with millennials (45%) and Gen X (39%) leading the generational breakdown. UK baby boomers were the least likely at 23%.
Flushing Out the Truth
While workplace bathroom habits are rarely discussed openly, they can influence everything from employee comfort to company costs. Whether it's navigating privacy concerns, managing bathroom-related anxiety, or simply trying to find a quiet moment, these behaviours shape how employees experience their workday. By understanding and accommodating these needs, employers can create a more comfortable and productive work environment, benefiting both workers and the bottom line.
Methodology
For this study, we surveyed 500 Americans and 500 Britons about their bathroom habits. Among Americans, the average age was 37; 51% were male, and 49% were female. Generationally, 5% of American respondents reported as baby boomers, 22% as Gen X, 53% as millennials, and 20% as Gen Z. Among Britons, the average age was 38; 62% were male, and 38% were female. Generationally, 5% of British respondents reported as baby boomers, 23% as Gen X, 52% as millennials, and 20% as Gen Z. Percentages may not total 100 exactly due to rounding.
About QS Supplies
QS Supplies is dedicated to delivering exceptional bathroom solutions with a focus on quality and style. Our product range features everything from versatile bathroom accessories to luxurious shower enclosures, making us the go-to destination for all your bathroom needs.
Fair Use Statement
Noncommercial reuse is granted, but please reference the original article with a link.
