Doing as they're told

In general I find that women are much more concerned about the cleanliness of toilets, the public variety, than men. A more intimate experience I suppose. One of the less savoury aspects of Spanish toilets is that there is often a notice that says please don't throw the toilet paper down the toilet - use the waste basket. Presumably older drains tended to block up. The other day I saw a different notice - please do not throw the paper in the basket - throw it down the toilet!

Meanwhile the anti smoking laws are still a big talking point. Apparently the number of applications for licences for pavement tables outside bars has shot up and those big, mushroom shaped, gas heaters - to keep the drinking smokers warm - have sold out all over Spain.

At work I heard a discussion about how the smoking laws have generally been accepted without too much fuss - occasional stories about assaults and other problems but no overwhelming backlash. If the notice says "No Smoking" then people seem to be doing as they are told. The discussion was about how pliable Spaniards have become.

I do hope the other notice causes just as little fuss.