I have been to greece and turkey on several occasions and I can't confirm any of that. In some places in the south they have those weired toilets that have no seat. You just squat down on them. But you can flush paper down it... obviously. If an adult size turd can pass through it, so can TP, even if you crumble half the roll.
In countries where it's common to wash your ass, you obviously don't do it with your bare hand. And when you think of it, if anything it's more hygienic than a dry wipe.
if you get shit anywhere else on your body you wouldn't be content with just wiping it a couple of times with a dry paper towel.