A tourist has revealed his confusion over a unique feature found in Australian men’s public urinals, leaving locals and fellow travelers confused.
The visitor shared on Reddit his awkward encounter with a urinal grate, which sits over the base of the urinal and is designed to be stood up while urinating.
“I visited your beautiful country and had a wonderful time,” he began. “But I didn’t know how to p*ss this thing.”
The post quickly sparked a flood of comments, with Aussies chiming in to explain the purpose of the grilles – and why they’re crucial to keeping the bathroom clean.
A fellow tourist admitted he was also baffled by the design when he started his trip to Australia.
‘Last month I was in Australia. I didn’t know you had to be on the roster and… [use the bathroom]’ he wrote.
“I stood on the tile and another guy came in and stood on the grate. I said, “I meant no disrespect, sir. I didn’t know you had to be on the roster.’ He said, ‘That’s OK, mate, I’m just jealous of the guys who can get behind that.’
The hilarious exchange prompted more Australians to shed light on the mystery of the grilles.
The visitor shared his awkward encounter with a urine grate on Reddit, a common yet puzzling feature of public urinals Down Under
How do you use a urine grid?
“The whole point of the grille is so that errant streams and drips don’t end up on the floor,” one Reddit user explains.
‘Do you see the drops on the ground? That’s what standing on the gridiron should alleviate.
‘It is clear that others who have used this urinal do not know how to use it either. Get on the gridiron.”
Others pointed out that while the grilles are intended to keep the bathroom cleaner, they are not always waterproof.
‘I am a cleaner and I agree 100 percent that it doesn’t matter where you go, because it just ends up on the floor. I hope this helps,” one commenter joked.
The discussion also revealed that similar practices exist in New Zealand, although they remain equally baffling to some Kiwis.
“I have no idea,” one New Zealander admitted. “We have these in New Zealand, and I’ve always just gone into the bushes.”
Despite the initial confusion, the original tourist praised the locals for their relaxed attitude and sense of humor
Despite the initial confusion, the original tourist praised the locals for their relaxed attitude and sense of humor.
“What a great group of people,” he added.
Women also happily took part in the hilarious exchange.
“As an Australian woman, I have no idea if some of these answers are true or if they are just poking fun at the foreigner.”
“I’ve never been happier to be a woman,” echoed another. “Why does that look so disgusting?”
For travelers heading to Australia, the message is clear: get on the grid and aim carefully so you don’t leave any evidence of your visit.
Or as one commentator put it: ‘It’s not rocket science, mate, but it’s definitely an Australian science.’