When traveling internationally, there are two main areas of dread for many people -- food and toilets! You're on your own with the food, but I'm here to help you with how to use the "squatty potty" found all over Asia. This is a delicate topic, and not without some inherent humor. But this is meant to be a truly educational lens. I'm here to demystify the squatty potty!
The Squatty in My Home
Please Don't Be a Wimp
When in Rome, do as the Romans.
I've known people who came to China on a short trip and stated with pride on the trip back to the airport, "I've been in Asia for three weeks now and haven't once used a squatty potty!"
Somehow that was a source of great satisfaction for the traveler, but I wasn't impressed. What a wimp!
Using a squatty is not torture, for goodness sake! When you've got to go, you need to go. And when in Asia, you're going to run into a squatty more than once. Get over your hangups and just learn to use the squatty.
Reliance Products Luggable Loo Portable 5 Gallon Toilet
Amazon Price: $18.82 (as of 11/11/2009)
When traveling, you want to be prepared. But that need should also be balanced with a need to pack light. After all, you don't want to pack a portable loo along with your toothpaste and razor!
Basic How-tos
using the squatty is not as bad as you think
I'm going to walk you through the steps for using the squatty. I'll be tasteful and keep it all G rated, so don't worry.
Which way to face?
Well, to be honest, it probably makes no difference. Usually you face towards the door of the stall.
Where do my feet go?
Look at the squatty. There are always large, ridged surfaces alongside the basin. Those ridges help with traction. Here's a picture to show you proper foot placement.
(Note -- this is the squatty in my own apartment, thus the barefeet.
I would NEVER be barefoot in any other toilet. Period.)
What about your pants?
Pull them down, but for goodness sakes, don't take them off! That's not necessary. And in a public toilet, that would be nearly impossible to do while keeping yourself or your pants from coming in contact with the filthy floor. Your pants can be around your knees just as they are when you use a pedestal toilet. You won't soil them. Really. (No photo here. You'll just have to try it yourself!)
How to squat.
This is not the same squat as you may have done over a Western toilet that was too dirty to sit on. You need to squat all the way down. It's actually more comfortable to go into your catcher's stance than to squat just a bit. So go ahead. Squat fully down. In case you're still not clear, here's an "anonymous" photo of some kind soul willing to demonstrate.
In the correct position, your clothes are out of the direct line of fire.
Squatty Poll
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The Trash Can
If there's a trash can in the toilet stall, more than likely you're meant to put your tissue inside it and not inside the squatty potty.
This oddly translated sign from Thailand is trying to say just that thing -- don't put your paper (or anything else besides #1 or #2) into the toilet.
You can take your clue from what you see. It's usually pretty obvious that the paper is meant to be put into the trash. Gross, but that's the way it works!
Toilets of the World
Toilets of the World
Amazon Price: $14.41 (as of 11/11/2009)
This is a travel book focusing on TOILETS!
Flushing
Be considerate. Flush. Even if the person before you didn't, just remember the Golden Rule and flush.
How to flush? Sometimes there's a tank with an obvious knob or button. Other times there is a foot pedal that you step on. That's my favorite kind since I hate to touch anything inside a toilet! Here's a foot pedal as an example:
What if there's no obvious plumbing of any kind?
Is there large bucket of water with a ladle inside? That's how you flush. Take a scoop of water and toss it down the toilet, washing it "clean." If you need to, use a couple of scoops. Then replace the ladle back inside the bucket.
You Can Do It!
Unless you have some physical limitations which keep you from squatting, you can learn to use a squatty potty!
Practical Reminders for Toileting in Asia
- Always carry tissue packs! Most bathrooms will not supply toilet paper. Sometimes you can purchase it from vending machines in the restroom or from a table outside the toilet. But don't rely on that.
- Along the same lines, you should also carry wet wipes. Just trust me. If you're in a bathroom without running water to wash your hands, these can substitute.
- Most bathrooms will have running water but no soap. I carry a small snap top bottle of liquid soap in my bag so I can get my hands really clean. It is the same size and weight as those alcohol gel cleansers and will get your hands really clean! (Hint -- refill it with dish detergent for a cheap substitute.)
- If your pants are really long, you may want to roll them up. Toilets are notorious for soggy floors. You don't want your hems lolling about in that filth!
Necessities for Traveling or Living in China
don't leave home without them
Japonesque Snap Top Bottle
A snap top bottle (like this one) or a flip top bottle will stay shut in your bag but is easy to open when you need to. And no screw off top to roll away!
Amazon Price: $0.80 (as of 11/11/2009)
Palmolive Ultra Concentrated Dish Liquid, Antibacterial Hand Soap with Orange Extracts, 13 fl oz (384 ml)
Use whatever dish detergent or liquid soap that you have on hand. Anything will work to clean the grime off your hands.
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 11/11/2009)
Tempo Pocket Tissue Packs (Set of 20)
Although a roll of toilet paper may be cheaper than tissue packs, TP tends to make a mess in your bag. It's worth the extra money to have a conveneint pack of tissues.
Amazon Price: $19.75 (as of 11/11/2009)
Nice 'N Clean Baby Wipes with Aloe, Travel Pak, Unscented, Hypoallergenic, Pack/40 Wipes
Amazon Price: $2.49 (as of 11/11/2009)
The Benefits of a Squatty Potty
For centuries, people have squatted to do their business. And it seems that squatting to have a bowel movement results in a more complete elimination! It also reduces the rate of hemorrhoids. In cultures where squatty potties are prevalent, the rate of hemorrhoids is almost nil!
- The Best Toilet of All
- This article explains a brief history of the water closet and the pedestal toilet we in the West are used to using. But the article argues for squatting as a more natural and healthy way to eliminate.
- Squat Toilets: Prevention of Colon Cancer, IBS and Healing for Hemorrhoids?
- This article explores the squatting versus sitting issue from a medical perspective.
- Squatting for the Prevention of Hemorrhoids
- A fascinating study of people who used squatting to relieve hemorrhoids.
"Of the 20 patients, 18 reported within a few days to a few months a significant reduction or complete absence of symptoms. The two who showed no improvement had previously had surgical treatments for haemorrhoids. Follow-up examinations, 12 and 30 months later, revealed no recurrence of haemorrhoids."
Wow! There's something to this squatting!
Squatty versus Western
Let's hear your thoughts. What toilet do you prefer?
Are there some situations when you prefer one to the other?
What is better?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI want a throne to sit on. Give me a western toilet.
JLP says:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I needed this information... YUCK!
Posted July 10, 2009
ORH-Sr says:
I never had the opportunity; I think I will stick with the throne. You have to be king some time:)
Posted July 02, 2009
JaguarJulie says:
Give me a throne! Ha -- would you believe that at work everyone uses the same 'throne' -- men and women? We've only got the one bathroom -- I'm always looking for the lysol.
Posted December 28, 2008
PaulaFarris says:
Hmmm . . . tough one! How would I get any reading done?
:-), but on the other hand not having a large toilet bowl to clean would make life a little easier . . . Since you don't have a middle of the road option I'll have to go with the western toilet--but only because i get some of my best reading done there!
Posted November 14, 2008
Dr_Momm says:
With all the beautiful bathrooms in the world (see my lens www.squidoo.com/placestopee), I'll take a throne!
Posted October 15, 2008
Squidster says:
I've encountered squatties and when you've REALLY gotta go I don't care as long as there's some privacy. I've come across filthy, gross pedestal toilets and would actually have preferred a squatty potty. But in the comfort of my home, which is also my castle, I'd rather take care of business on a throne. How else am I supposed to hold my reading material? :)
Posted August 22, 2008
Teresa says:
Before life with one leg(not a "normal" amputation, hemipelvectomy), and living in a wheelchair I never used a squatty. I really makes me realized that 'if' I were ever to travel, I better look into the toilets before the trip.....
Posted August 07, 2008
HarmonyArtMom says:
Perfer Western and I definitely don't think I'm a wimp. I also don't want to carry my own wipes and TP. :)
Posted August 02, 2008
I don't mind squatting. It's healthier anyway.
prettyevil says:
Sitting on a toilet seat is kind of disgusting if you think about it. Come on, women usually hover if they use a public toilet. Why not just squat instead?
Posted July 27, 2009
tong says:
where can i buy a squatty potty here inthe states?
Posted June 19, 2009
tong says:
squatty potties are the best. im american but after being in asia for one year, i experienced numerous benefits using the squatty potty. i dont have one at home so i just squat with my feet propped up onthe toilet seat. squatty potties are a life saver!
Posted June 19, 2009
Nate says:
I've squatted on western toilets since I was trained - it always seemed easier, cleaner, and (when little) safer from the potty monster. ;) Fortunately my parents didn't force me to change and I recently discovered that this method is a'OK! I've always had good balance and 'aim' despite the suboptimal design, which I attribute to getting lots of practice. Thanks for spreading the word!
Posted June 18, 2009
GrowWear says:
I hate using public restrooms! Let's change them all to squatty potties! Well, I guess because of rickety knees and such, that wouldn't be feasible. But, let's have that option!
Posted December 03, 2008
China_Highlights1 says:
Whenever I leave the UK or go camping in the wilds its always been squat. I always have to avoid the tendency to fall over backwards when using a squat toilet. Does anyone else have that problem? I think it's better to use a western toilet when one is suffering from diarrhoea as everything finishes up in the bowl that way.
Posted December 02, 2008
Katie says:
Both have their benefits. I live in China and when I'm out and about, I prefer a squatty potty because usually the public western toilets are disgusting. However, I was recently pregnant and had to "pee in a cup" at a Chinese hospital every time I went for a checkup, but they had NO western toilets at that hospital! I had such a hard time since I was so hugely pregnant and also have sort of a bad knee. When I'm not pregnant, I can get up from a squat with a little extra effort, but when I was pregnant, it was nearly impossible to get up without aiding myself by putting my hand on something which usually had to be the floor since there was nothing else around - yuck!
Posted September 22, 2008
Mama Bear says:
I was in India for a few weeks (my first time in Asia) and to be honest I didn't care how I went as long as I could go. The first time I had to flush with a water bucket was a tad puzzling but I figured it out. You also gotta remember to pull up your clothing, I was wearing traditional ladies wear and well... that was some major pulling up. It was a task to remember my tissue & soap though. There were a few public places where poor would sit on the floor and handle for money, that was a bit hard to handle at first. I got the hang of it all eventually.
Posted August 16, 2008
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Reader Feedback
Share your squatty experiences.... if you dare!
prettyevil wrote...
I can't help but think the world would be better if all public restrooms, even in the west, had squatty potties. So many people just hover over public toilets anyways, which makes them even more disgusting, which leads to more hovering. So why not just have a squatty potty? That whole phobia about touching the seat is solved entirely and you don't gross anyone else out by making a mess.
Posted July 27, 2009
turtledove wrote
i mentioned to someone I had used a squatty potty for the first time and they asked what it was. I described it and was looking for a photo to help when I came across this. Hysterical and educational at the same time. Loved it.
I ventured across my squatty in Greece last week. I was overheated and nauseous - figured going to the bathroom would be safe. I opened the stall, saw the squatty and leaned in a little out of curiosity, got a whiff and up came breakfast. At least I felt better afterward.
Posted July 08, 2009
ORH-Sr wrote...
This is a very interesting lens. I was looking around the lens to see what had been written about however I never expected one on the proper way to pee or poop.
I never thought I would need to be informed on this subject after 56 years of practice; I was wrong:)
This lens is quite an adventure; fun and educational. Thanks for a great lens.
Posted July 02, 2009
stargazer00 wrote...
I'd heard of them but never actually seen one. I hate using public restrooms and avoid it if I can.
Posted June 14, 2009
draik wrote...
I was surprise to find a lens on squatties and this is such a fun lens. Maybe I have seen these too often but they are getting lesser in my country. My mom house still have a squatty which I think it is no longer safe for the elders. My mom fell inside the squatty once and we have to pull her out.
Posted May 26, 2009
Trina Bashore wrote
I was originally looking for lapbook information. Encountering the "squatty potty" on your frame I could not resist a glimpse.
The side trip here was very educational. In my 37 years I'd not had the experience. Due to you my daughters and I are now more educated then before.
Thanks, Peace
Trina
Posted April 02, 2009
Jimmie wrote...
in reply to x x Wow. I'm so sorry to verify your fears. Yes, these toilets do exist. But you can learn to use them. Next time you have the dream, try using the techniques for squatting that I shared here.
Posted January 22, 2009
x x wrote
I have a recuring nightmare of holes in the floor for a tolet, In my nightmare I keep looking for a clean tolet that is not a hole in the floor. I never knew they really have tolet like that until now. Now I am really scared to know that they actually have tolets just like in my nightmare.
Posted January 22, 2009
JaguarJulie wrote...
Our friends recently came back from a short trip to Japan and remarked about what must have been a squatty potty. The other potty she tried had a control panel -- she had fun just trying to turn it OFF!
Posted December 28, 2008
PaulaFarris wrote...
What a great lens! I never knew that any other kind of toilet existed until now. Wow! The things I don't know! Thanks for the educational and fun read. Keep 'em coming. 5 *****'s
Paula Farris
"The Recovering Nonachiever"
Posted November 14, 2008
thesolowriter wrote
I laughed through most of this (that's a good thing). you managed to make the subject matter, umm, bearable. I've got really bad knees, so squatting is a gruesome, torturous task. I know several chinese people (now American citizens) and not one of them prefer the squatter to a Western toilet. I did a million squats before I left home for the month backpacking china. I helped some, but it was always a very unpleasant experience. Plus, NONE of the toilets I had to see were anywhere close to as clean as these. Life experiences -- that's what it's all about!! I lensrolled you.
Posted October 29, 2008
vbright105 wrote...
I've never been to Asia, so I've never had the experience. I wouldn't have a personal problem with it, but with my knee, if I squatted, I probably couldn't get back up!~ lol
Posted October 07, 2008
by Jimmie
Hello! I am a homeschooling, stay at home mom who loves to teach and learn. I enjoy cooking from scratch, blogging, photography, and traveling, but I...
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