When I first told my American friends that I had visited Buc-ee’s, many of them said, “The bathrooms there must be so clean! It is the best in the States (or the world)”. I totally agree it is clean and comfortable, but honestly, I am not so impressed.
For me, Bucky’s has always been about the food. Good snacks, sweets and jerky —this is what makes it special. The bathrooms? Just… normal.
Compared to many other public restrooms in the U.S., Buc-ee’s bathrooms are very clean. After all, it’s not uncommon elsewhere to find toilets that don’t even flush properly. I need to flush at least twice at home. The plumber said he fixed it but still it requires me to stand in front of the potty for 1-2 mins for nothing. Let’s go back on track. Because I am from Japan, where I believe restroom maniacs live, “clean” alone doesn’t impress me.
Japanese toilets are incredible. The lids open automatically. There’s a water-like sound to cover up the noise we make there. This sound is called “Otohime (princess of sounds)”. The seats are warm. A gentle stream of water washes you, and it flushes automatically when you leave. Even the doors are designed without gaps. I have no chance to guess who is walking to the next cubicle. Honestly, after experiencing that, a clean American restroom is… just clean.
Back at work, my colleagues love asking about my life in America. When I tell them, “America is amazing!” they beam, and rightly so—there’s so much in the U.S. that really is impressive. But no matter how many times they ask, “The Buc-ee’s bathroom must have been amazing, right?” I always reply in a calm tone: “Yes, it’s well-cleaned.” That’s just the Japanese in me—sorry, but I can’t overhype a toilet.
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