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It's the first room we go to when we wake up, the last room we visit when we turn in at night. It's the room that relieves us, comforts and cleanses us. And sometimes it manages to raise our brows-with all the quirky customs and habits that people have about them. Yup, were talking about the most popular room in the house, the humble toilet.

Some truths you might want to know:

1. More than 40 percent of the world’s population do not have access to basic sanitation.

2. In Japan, it’s considered unethical to let other people hear you peeing. So public toilets are installed with music to cover it up. Others use a device called Otohime or Sound Princess to mimic the sound of flushing that some women prefer to music.

3. In Singapore, you could be fined up to $150 for not flushing.

4. In Switzerland, its against the law to flush a toilet after 10 p.m. if you live in an apartment.

5. In Korea, a closed cubicle door in the ladies room means the stall is vacant. Hmmm, you wonder how people know its occupied.

6. The stall nearest the door tends to be the cleanest. People prefer to use the stall at the end of the room.

7. Guys would rather wait than use the vacant stall in the middle; women spend more time in the shower.

8. It has been recommended by dentists that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from the toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

9. Filipinos are saving the forest by using tabo (Dipper). The world consumption of toilet paper accounts for 72,000 acres of woodland per day.

10. Talk about style! The French prefer scented and colored toilet paper, the standard being pink.

• Reference/Source: sundayINQUIRERmagazine, Philippines