They have fancy western style toilets in some of the nicer hotels in changsha, low enough to the ground so that the chinese women can stand on the toilet seat and sqaut over the bowl.

After seeing the muddy footprints on the toilet seat, I did the same.

I wouldn't take my pants off if I were you, even if there is a place to hang them, the nasty on them will make you want to just walk around naked. And pants are *way* easier than skirts, though this may seem counter-intuitive. Skirts get in the way more.

quote:

Originally posted by static:

quote:

ALWAYS carry your own toilet paper in SE Asia

Charmin with aloe!

Yes, Charmin or Wet Ones first, then regular tissue paper. You gotta get rid of that trail especially if you're washing your own underwear by the end of the day.

Oh, and has anyone mastered the art of flushing without an actual flush? You know, get a dipper/pail then try to pour it down the toilet as fast as you can? Even as a Southeast Asian, I still am, admittedly, a padawan...

quote:

Originally posted by Alex Deez:
A Filipino friend of mine recently informed me that Filipinos in the US use a bucket of water to wash themselves.

Pinoys call it a "tabo". It's notorious for being brought around the world... Check out my friend Isabelle's online album, she has a Travelling Tabo series of pics at Isabetlog's Multiply Page. (I dunno if you can see it though, it might be closed to the public... hilarious!)

I really think you guys are not squatting right - thighs shaking and sweaty foreheads, that too within 3o seconds, happen only if you are half squatting - you need to do a full squat.

A full squat is when your bum is almost resting on your ankle - or atleast level with it. That means your upper thighs are supported by your lower legs. Something like this:
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/technology/curriculum/rsnz/img/01gj_image05_1.gif

(You could also hold on to something in the early days. )

Practice FULL squat-ups in the gym.

I know of people who read newspaper and magazines in the squat loo and also drink tea and practically spend hours in that "restful" position.

Also, squating promoters (maybe misinformed) say this position is good for your (digestive) system. A lots of people deliver babies in this "natural" position too -

Don't sit in that position too long in winter's though - your bum will chill off

I dont get why everyone is using the hose or, if I am reading correctly, putting water in the bucket and using that to clean your bum?!

I really hope I am misunderstanding, because if you are putting water in the bucket and them splashing it on yourself....? That's really nasty. I thought the buckets were just to pour water down the toilet to "flush" them. They are gross and I hated even touching the handles.

Forget the water and the hose and just bring enough toilet paper/tissues/napkins to wipe thoroughly. I would swipe a roll of toilet paper once in a while from a public loo (or buy one) and keep it in my pack. Maybe water gets you cleaner, but it's messy.

My trickiest one was in a moving train. God, that was hard. The trick for me was just to move very slowly and deliberately. Thank god there was a handle to hold onto. I could see the moving ground below and that was kind of fun.

First of all, I want to put it on the record that I have used many squat toilets.

I also want to make it clear that I lack the thigh muscles flexibility, and balance to actually use them properly. With this is mind, it must be said that to me, they are the scourge of all possib le bathrooms, unless they are cleaned right after every use.

Why? Because I must lean backwards, or worse, strip to my naked beauty from the waist and use it like a regular toilet. It all depends on the cleanliness of the toilet room.

Otherwise, between my pants touching the floor, and etc...
it gets too messy.

It may be true that asians and those born to squatting(I have seen asian boys and girls squat like champions in a casual, informal, way, without any strain. They do it instad of sitting many times). It may be true that women have more such muscles than men(I tend to believe this)

This does not mean that my western and ill-equipped body can do it well.

It is also said that this lotus position thing that Buddhism and Hinduism uses is practiced from birth, because chairs were not within the economic means of many people. They do this without a hint of being mini-buddhas.

Either way, I suggest the stripping thing. when you wash yourself with a bucket or whatever, your clothes will thank you. Maybe women can just hike up their skirt, but men are at a definite disadvantage.

TP? Great idea!!! Often any kind of paper is better than the hand. Some toilets have water sprays. They work pretty well, if you have your clothes far from the spray unit.

One of the worst squat toilets I have ever been forced to use was in Sarajevo, Bosnia of all places. That is another story altogether, but let me give the gist of it:

The owner of the place closed all the ventilation windows out of fear of being robbed. There was an faulty odor trap. One had to SHOWER over this fixture. When I complained, I was informed it was all they had, and they knew about it. Course, it wasn't mentioned to US. Nuff said.

I have heard about worse stories. One person told me in Thailand they had to go over a cliff, at the bottom of which was a pig pen. I shudder to think what would happen if one fell into that pit. One might think there was a rope to hold on to in that case.

I'm in awe... Rupa's sketch (although I don't think I've ever used one where the poo was that far away), Pete's incredible, detailed instructions, and Jade's tabo tour. Amazing.

All I can add is this: If you ever have to use a squatter with one leg in a cast, here's a procedure that works.

Set your good leg right in front of the hole (you're going to end up sqatting over this one, so position accordingly).

Put the afflicted leg about 18 inches forward, heel lightly down.

Transfer all your weight to your rear leg and let your front leg slide forward, bending forward at the waist. You're going to end up bent over more than you do when squatting with both legs, which changes the arc when you pee (for girls anyway) , so beware. Your drawers should be no higher than the crease of your knee.

Evalcuate quickly (this pose can get old fast). If possible, have a cane or a single crutch with you. Place it about even with the knee of your extended leg and use it to help push up. If not, work that thigh! (You can use your hands on the thigh of your extended leg to push off if you time it right...pushing of with your palms on the floor is easier, but rarely advisable unless you brought protection.

La

This thread, and the one on the availablity of feminine products while traveling, have cemented for me that this is the PREMIERE travel forum out there. Too funny. Hopefully I'll be putting this advice to good use soon!

You never know La Rosser, how far they go ...so always be careful of stepping on a mouldy platform with a hole that passess off for a squat loo

The other night I came home from a dinner outing with the husband and, still wearing my stilettos, squatted down to pet one of the cats who was rolling around on the floor. I've got to say, it was the easiest squatting I've ever done in my life, because the heels of the stilettos gave me extra support. Now, it's not like I'm going to be carting around a pair of Jimmy Choos in my daypack, and I don't think wearing heels that high would be conducive to comfort during an all-day walking tour, I'm just sayin'.

Frootbat alert!

Coming from you, Joe, that's almost a compliment.

Yeah, I've had my experiences with toilets in China...
Toilet Adventures

hey you only live once and if you haven't enjoyed the wonders of a squatter then you just haven't lived!

Trekker

As someone who grow up with an overly germaphopic grandmother, I had to squat over western toilets. Therefore, I much prefer the ones here in Asia. I agree with trekker’s advice and I always carry my on toilet paper/ tissues.

Have fun!