One Must Try To Understand
Anyone who has travelled through Europe,knows there are all sorts of toilet arrangements, which strike Amercians as either odd, or downright "disgusting", never the less exsist.
For instance there still many homes and hotels with commodes right in the bedroom. Not off an alcove or hidden behind a screen but right in the room, not that far from the bed.
Considering how many European homes have washing machines installed in bathrooms, some not more than a half meter away from the toilet, not sure if mounting the appliance above the same is any more "gross".
One must always remember many, many homes, apartments in Europe are created in buildings years if not hundreds of years old. Space is always dear, especially in high cost cities like Paris, London and so forth. Therefore everything must "fit" just so. There are many who given the choice of living in a small but decent flat in London, Paris, Berlin or whatever with being able to have a washing machine, even if it is mounted over the loo, would jump at the chance.
As the saying goes: don't knock it until you've tried it.
L.