Murano, Italy

Most bathrooms in Europe have a small box attached near the ceiling with a cord running out of it and down the wall. Often next to the cord is a sign, usually in the local language, instructing you to pull the cord in case of emergency.

I always assumed the boxes were installed to comply with some forgotten EU regulation and were not maintained, indeed if they worked at all.

Many bathrooms in Europe also have toilets with elevated tanks, which means you flush them by pulling on a chain that runs along the wall.

I can now attest if you are thinking about a plot point for the book you are currently writing, it is possible to pull the cord instead of the toilet chain.

I can also attest the box attached to the cord in the restroom of a certain very swanky, very quiet restaurant in Murano, Italy is indeed functional. That is, an alarm will loudly sound and two people—one with a first aid kit—will come running to assist you.

I can further attest after you do this, it is EXTREMELY embarrassing to walk back through the (very full) restaurant to your table.