Remember our restaurant! [First published June 14, 2014] Okay, let's get this out of the way. Or skip this post if you are not contemplating a trip to China.
When I saw that the language center within the institute where I work had a western-style bathroom, I heard choirs of angels singing hosannas.
Seats. Stalls. Doors on the stalls.
If you're thinking of visiting or working in China, this YouTube video gives a candid, but not vulgar, explanation of the average Chinese public squat toilet. (For vulgarity, see this video.)
When I saw that the language center within the institute where I work had a western-style bathroom, I heard choirs of angels singing hosannas.
Seats. Stalls. Doors on the stalls.
If you're thinking of visiting or working in China, this YouTube video gives a candid, but not vulgar, explanation of the average Chinese public squat toilet. (For vulgarity, see this video.)
Supposing that you have the flexibility of mind (to say nothing of your joints) to hurdle, or rather straddle, the idea of a squat toilet, there is another key difference to know about. Toilet paper is usually not provided. We're talking BYOTP. Little packets of tissues are readily available for purchase everywhere and every lady carries her own supply. Restaurants also hand out little packets as advertisement. Of course these tissue packets can be used for conventional things like nose-blowing or eyeglass cleaning too. In Zibo City, at any rate, tissues are often used instead of paper napkins.
I've not only made my peace with BYOTP, I've decided that I approve of it. BYOTP is in line with libertarian principles. The toilet is supplied; it's up to you to provide the consumable portion of the transaction and decide how much you need and how much you'll pay for. Ladies, how many times have you walked into a public bathroom stall only to find a horrific soggy unflushable mess? That would be a thing of the past if everyone had to BYOTP. This is NOT the same as mandating that people only be allowed to use one square at a time, a la Sheryl Crow. That's eco-facism. With libertarians, you're free to choose. But if toilet paper was no longer supplied for free, I bet less would be wasted -- an environmental plus. And think of the institutional savings.
Finally, most of the public restrooms I've visited have only cold water with no soap. I haven't seen paper hand towels since I've been here. Some places have air dryers. Otherwise you wipe your hands on your pants or wring them like Zasu Pitts.
There's more I could say about this aspect of life in China but..... I don't think I will. Let's just say that the janitors burn incense in the school restrooms where I work and I don't think it's for religious purposes.
*You can't come to China and expect everything to be exactly like home
I've not only made my peace with BYOTP, I've decided that I approve of it. BYOTP is in line with libertarian principles. The toilet is supplied; it's up to you to provide the consumable portion of the transaction and decide how much you need and how much you'll pay for. Ladies, how many times have you walked into a public bathroom stall only to find a horrific soggy unflushable mess? That would be a thing of the past if everyone had to BYOTP. This is NOT the same as mandating that people only be allowed to use one square at a time, a la Sheryl Crow. That's eco-facism. With libertarians, you're free to choose. But if toilet paper was no longer supplied for free, I bet less would be wasted -- an environmental plus. And think of the institutional savings.
Finally, most of the public restrooms I've visited have only cold water with no soap. I haven't seen paper hand towels since I've been here. Some places have air dryers. Otherwise you wipe your hands on your pants or wring them like Zasu Pitts.
There's more I could say about this aspect of life in China but..... I don't think I will. Let's just say that the janitors burn incense in the school restrooms where I work and I don't think it's for religious purposes.
*You can't come to China and expect everything to be exactly like home
RSS Feed