- NEW!
by yoho05 reminds you to DYOH on April 4th, 2006
Okay, this answer is purely a guess, so don't bombard me with bad ratings if you don't agree.
I think that it comes from when toilets were first invented. The water tank was on the wall above the toilet and the flushing was activated by pulling a chain that released the water; you could pull the chain while still seated and most people being right-handed, the chain was installed on the right side. When later versions had the tank sitting on top of the rear of the device, the handle was retained on the same side, out of habit, maybe.
by notmrjohn on April 4th, 2006
Well, they're not always, but a right handed toilet (at least one with the plumbing connections on the right) is so unusual as to generally be a special order item. The simple answer is "that's just the way they have always been." The left handed toilet has become the American standard in the industry so that folks will know where to run the plumbing even before they know what kind of toilet is gonna go there, regardless of the brand, American Standard or some other. The handle was at the same end as the plumbing connection, more so in olden times, cause that's where the valve was inside the tank, all the mechanical moving parts had to be fastened at that end to have enough room to move, there was better leverage and more room if the handle was at the plumbing end too. These days there are all sorts of new fangled innards and the flush handle, button, or even light sensor can be anywhere on either end, the top, the center, and (way stupid) I've seen some with it hidden underneath somewhere where ya gotta feel around for it! The new stuff is smaller, has better leverage or uses an entirely different principle than the old flappers, ballcocks, floats and val... what?... That's what its called, a ballcock. Even with that flexibility, the standard is still to have the plumbing connection on the left, as you face the toilet.
But why the left, a standard is a standard, why not on the right? I hear you ask. I dunno but I'll speculate. Once upon a time in most cultures, the left hand was used to handle all... er... bodily functions. That practice is still common across southern Asia and northern Africa, and especially in Arabic cultures. I kinda doubt that is the reason, by the time of the flush toilet folks were just to cultured to even think about such disgusting things, much less actually publicly teach each other how to do them; they left it to those primitive people to be concerned about things like basic personal sanitation. I dunno what the Arab technologists were up to back then, but I don't think many of them were in Europe developing the flush toilet. Besides, when you're sitting down the handle is on your right, even if it easier to reach across with the left hand to reach it.
But let us go to the antique plumbing store. The tank used to be up high on the wall above the toilet. The height gave some extra power to the flushing water, as well as making it easier to clean the whole thing, as anyone who has tried to clean that stuff from between the tank and bowl can testify. ( In fact there are now units with the tank up high again, but hidden inside a wall, everything old is new again.) A chain hung down from the flush handle and dangled right there on your..right. Most people, being right handed could just reach up and pull it while seated. But I am not quite convinced that that is the main reason.
I think it may have somethin to do with the fact that most plumbers are people and most people are right handed. I've done my share of work inside toilet tanks and there is not a lot of room in there. Since most of the work is done while facing the toilet, its easier to get your right hand and arm in there and get some leverage if all the stuff is at the left. That's my guess as to the most likely reason and I'm standin by it, or in front of it with the handle on the left. But I dunno, mebbeee the standardizers just flipped a coin. Of course in the Southern Hemisphere, the handle is on the right since the water swirls towards.... OK neva mind that. The scariest thing is that in Australia, being at the bottom of the world, when they flush the water falls UP out of the toilet, them Aussies have learned to close the lid before flushing.
Teacher, notmrjohn copied my answer!
" Teacher, notmrjohn copied my answer!" No I din't, teacher! When I first seen the question there were no answers at all. Atween the time I started laboriously two fingering out my answer and getting it posted, yoho and the mango had actually not only composed but posted answers that I not only anticipated, but also agreed with, wiffout even seein' um. Thas why their answers got usefuls from me, aside from the fact that they was useful in they own right. Great minds think alike. Birds of a feather flock together. Us idjits just sort of sink to the bottom and form a blob of conubial goo. You can flush and flush wiff either hand, but your still gonna have to reach down there and scoop us up with some implement you'll never use again. Now I see that some others have had the same experience of repeating stuff that done been sed and settlin down into the sludge. I'll rate them according to their relevence or just my mood at the time of rating. ( yo, what did you get on question 309, if you tell me the answer, I'll be your friend. I might even give you one of my twinkies.
by Godfather Part II on April 4th, 2006
In society the left hand has been considered 'wrong' or 'dirty', hence people would use their left hand to...er... clean themselves, as the right hand was used for eating, this is still common in many Arabic cultures. Flushing with the left hand simply keeps the right one clean for more healthy events!
by Anonymous on April 4th, 2006
Here is a hot news flash!! bp service stations have toilets with the handle on the right! i can only assume, that most toilet handles were installed on the left, for easy reach for people who flush, flush, flush their brains away.
I must admit, that i like the toilet handle on the right. being a man and standing upright to drain my bladder, this is a refreshing end to my elimination. to gently reach forward, touch the shiny new right-side handle, and FLUSH!! and, i can use my foot, if i so desire. its an exhiliatating experience. its different....and i like it!
by Clark Cox on April 4th, 2006
They aren't always on the left side. I've seen toilets with handles in the center or on the right.
by Frogger7777 on April 4th, 2006
Well to start off in many places in Washington D.C. the flush handles are rare, instead it is a button on the top of the toilet lid...interesting huh?!?!
by tearyeyedamerican on April 4th, 2006
Aside from certain ethnic requirements, (In certain areas in European Countries it is considered bad manners to give a gift using your left hand as the left hand is the one that takes care of toilet matters. Giving a gift with the left hand might be refused by the recipient as being tainted, or soiled. This may or may not be the reason that tolet flushers are on the left hand side, as you face the toilet.) there is a legal reason for having the flusher on the left in the U.S. .
According to the ADA, (Americans with Disabilities Act) a handicapped-assesible restroom must have toilets installed with a couple grab bars around them. There must be a certain amount of clearance on the side opposite the wall, and the flush handle is to be on the "open side" so that a wheelchair bound individual can more easily reach the flush handle. This would necessitate the basic tanks being built to a standard which would allow for left handed flushers.
Before the ADA made it's ruling, it was not unusual to find right flush toilets in houses built in the early eighties or before. But, I like my idea better. It gives a whole new meaning to gift giving.
Then again, it would mean I would have to learn how to use my left hand for things that have always been handled by my right hand. Better stick to what I know and not give any gifts.
by vishious on April 4th, 2006
I suspect because most people hold toilet paper in the right hand. Using your left to flush would be more sanitary.
by Orange Mango on April 4th, 2006
In researching the answer to this question, I found that the handle is not ALWAYS on this side, but rather is here more commonly. The question is why it has become a common practice to put it on the left hand side? In a world that has been accused of being inconsiderate of left handed people (can openers, scissors etc.) this would seem to be the exception. On the contrary it is not, determining if the handle is on the right or left hand side is one of perspective of whether you are sitting or standing, and at the risk of making you look sexist, most women would probably say it is on the right. Men see it this way only half the time, chalk this up as another way in which the scales are tipped in favor of right handed people. Now I know there's probably a majority of people that stand up and THEN flush ...but that probably wasn't the practice of the inventor.
by Tel UK- Licensed to fish! on September 15th, 2008
Here in the UK most public loo's have the handles so that you use your right hand. Domestic loo's cisterns are made to be ambidextrous ,the plumber will fit the handle to your requirement , left or right witha blanking plug in the unused hole.
by ceejay on April 8th, 2006
Toilet handle is commonly on the right hand side on English toilets, however centre push ones are becoming more common as they are more energy efficient in terms of water consumption. Left side flushes are also available.
by Eduard Boessenkool on April 6th, 2006
But jokes aside, I think this question is interesting but...
The old chain and handle contraption with the reservoir high on the wall can be found on both sides, even on old installations you sometimes see holes on both sides, so it can be fitted as is convenient.
The modern installation, with the reservoir built just on top of the "throne" has the flushing handle very often on the right hand side, when you face the contraption. sometimes it is a button on top.
On the most modern installation, with the reservoir built in the wall, the button will be central.
by Eduard Boessenkool on April 6th, 2006
I never wash my hands, I have learned to aim well! (insert smiley here)
by Coonie on September 4th, 2008
Ok - another case in point: Urinals. Look at almost any stand up only urinal and the damn handle is on the left. If I've already soiled my right hand by touching my nasty little pee pee, then I don't want to also dirty my left by touching a dirty old flush handle (which always seems to be covered with moisture - ick). So, answer that one y'all.
by MN2thFAIRY on April 5th, 2006
So when you barf, you can wipe your mouth with your right hand and flush down the puke with the other. You have to flush it as you go, or else the sight/smell might make you puke more.
by Brian Purtee on September 15th, 2008
They're not. Kohler makes toilets with right side handles and while they cannot techically be called a handles, there are toilets with push button flush activators in the center of the tank lid!
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Comments
I got no prob with your guess. To avoid 'bombardment' don't, out of habit, hang out in toilets, on the R or the L.
by notmrjohn on April 4th, 2006
This is a great guess! Good answer.
by AB-BrazenGirl on April 4th, 2006
I agree with the "most people being right handed" theory, great guess!
by jarvismom on April 4th, 2006
I have read this and it is the correct answer.
by Trint Smith on April 4th, 2006
sounds correct to me!
by Beverlyofhills on April 5th, 2006
only possible answer. Great!
by Nikola Azarich on April 6th, 2006
Great answer, yo-yo!
by Answers101 on July 15th, 2006