The reward for the best Squat Toilet scene in a movie by no doubt goes to Slum Dog Millionaire. It’s actually a very big smelly problem in countries like India.This is a great video from YouTube done by user rahulbrown that gives a good understanding of how valuable something most of us take advantage of everyday.
Toilets along the way
Yeah… it’s something everyone thinks about if you are on a crowded public bus or van in a foreign country. “How long is this trip really going to take, will we stop for a toilet break and what kind of porcelain throne will be put before me?” Being a women who occasionally gets sick (ok…let’s say I make sure I have a good amount of Cipro with me on each trip) it’s always on my mind for one reason or another. There’s never a need to panic when it comes to using the least favorite option: a swat toilet. Just let it be clean.
It’s all in the technique
Just make sure you correctly use it, don’t flush anything down the toilet if it does flush (that’s what the bucket is for or is it for the flushing part or both? Just do what you think others have done before you) Travelers going off the beaten path will most likely encounter the squat toilet in some shape or form. They can even be found in rural areas of Europe and Japan. There not just South Asia. Travelers need to just get over it when to these places. It’s a good reason to get those inner thigh and glut muscles toned before the trip and get use of the face mask if it’s smelly. Just be sensitive to those who have no other options.
Here’s some supposed healthy reasons why you should use the squat position. The best thing a woman can do is like the Army ad says be prepared. A good tip for women is to bring along a long skirt since it’s difficult to keep your pant bottoms from hitting the squat toilet floor (icky) There is a reason why most women around the world just wear dresses and skirts (men too). Or, just use some common sense and roll the legs up before entering then take a deep breathe and focus on getting things done. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the TP and that person hanging out isn’t just hanging out. They probably have the job of selling TP and or cleaning up. Do them a favor and give up some coin.
It’s all a part of the experience. If anything, mastering it makes for good travel anecdotes at the end of the day. I wish I had some pictures of toilets I have mastered but I usually didn’t want to stay to long and/or accidentally drop my camera in the bottomless hole (see toilet scene from Slumdog Millionaire)
Happy Squatting and remember to wash those hands.
farflungistan 