Toilets

It is time for toilet entry. So here in China, they have squat toilets. Also known affectionately by English speaking westerners as "squat pots". This particular facility is located in our school.

They are quite friendly and easy to use, at least from my point of view. After one or two times of awkward maneuvering, you get the technique down, and it's easy. I prefer it when in public actually, because it's more cleaner - you don't actually have to touch anything. Most public places do use these types of toilets, and apparently most private homes also. In private homes however, it is more and more common to see western style sit-down toilets. They are seen as more desirable here. Our own place has western toilets.

A note about toilets in public. Most of them do not have toilet paper available, so you need to bring your own. Also, for some reason, toilets here (both squat and sit-down) sometimes cannot flush toilet paper. The newer places it's okay to throw your toilet paper in, but other places, I guess it will jam. So it is standard to have a garbage can in the washroom stall, where you can throw your used toilet paper. You can see it in the picture above. Our school has all squat toilets except for one stall outside the administration office which has a sit-down toilet!


Another fun toilet fact. Most of the toilet paper that is sold here does not have the toilet paper roll, which means that usually, there is no toilet paper dispenser. You just leave the TP sitting on the toilet lid, or counter, or wherever.People use toilet paper for many things. Here is our "kleenex box". A toilet paper shaped plastic. Inside is a toilet paper.