A bathroom can be one of the most unexpectedly unfamiliar parts of a trip. In Pennsylvania, that might mean an exposed toilet in an older Pittsburgh basement, a Philadelphia public restroom with its handwashing station outside, or a camping cottage whose bathroom is in another building. The surprise comes from the setting and your expectations.
There is no reliable evidence that Pennsylvanians share nine unusual bathroom habits or that Americans elsewhere react to them in a particular way. The examples below are documented facilities, design choices, and practical routines a visitor may encounter. They are not a description of every resident, and many occur outside Pennsylvania too.
Knowing what each arrangement is for makes it easier to ask a useful question, respect other people’s privacy, and choose accommodation that meets your needs…