literally: “chair walk” / meaning: the act of defecating
There is that bar in Berlin called Das Klo (“the loo”). Given the name, it’s not hard to imagine what it is: a toilet-themed drinking location where you sit on an actual water closet while enjoying your pilsner.
Das Klo precisely reflects the passionate relationship between many Germans and their potties. A WC is more than just an appliance to do your needy business. It is a space where you enjoy sitting and experiencing some quality time. In fact, toilet rooms seem to be the only enclaves in this country where the German idea of efficiency does not apply, and an almost Mediterranean easiness dominates.
The term Stuhlgang is almost emblematic for this, as a chair (German: Stuhl—same roots as the English word “stool”) is something you wouldn’t mind spending some time on. It dates back to a time when many toilets resembled actual, comfy chairs, only with a hole and a catch basin, and were mostly located in dorm rooms. So a 19th century “chair walk” was often only a few meters from your bed. The only thing missing was a waiter to get you a nice pilsner.
