Some Chinese nationals really need to be educated in the ways of the civilised world.
I'm so pissed (pun unintended!) with the way they use toilets. I'm not sure what the situation in the Gents is (and I sure as hell don't even want to know), but these ladies from China really need a lesson or two in toilet etiquette.
You see, my office is next to this restaurant which has hordes of Chinese tourists coming every day during lunch and dinner time. Unfortunately, I have to use the same washroom as they do. These people really don't know how to use toilets:-
1) They don't lock the doors--Once, I opened three cubicles, and in each cubicle there was someone inside. Like "hello???? There's a lock on the door! You just have to exercise some simple motor skills here!"
So now, to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations (obviously they don't seem to see anything embarrassing in someone accidentally walking in on them mid-way in their business), I now peep through the small slit between the door and the wall, and look at the reflection on the tiles to see if there's anyone inside before I enter the cubicle.
2) They stand on the toilet seats--I'm not sure if the adults do that (hopefully not) but I've seen a mother letting her daughter stand on the toilet bowl so that she can assume the squatting position while peeing. Like for goodness sake, teach your child how to use a toilet bowl!
3) They don't know how to discard toilet paper properly--Instead of disposing used toilet paper in the toilet bowl and flushing it away, these people throw it on top of the sanitary napkin bin and make a big mess of the cubicle. The poor cleaner ends up having to clean up after these people every day.
4) They are forever looking for squatting toilets--Every time I happen to be in the toilet when a group of them are, I'll always hear the word "蹲" (dun) meaning 'to squat' in Chinese. They'll keep asking where the squatting toilet is, and resign in disappointment when they come to terms with the fact that they have to do without it at this toilet!
I suppose it'll take a while before these people learn how to lock doors and observe proper toilet etiquette. Hell, the Singapore government has been trying to educate Singaporeans for the longest time, but we still get people behaving like barbarians. Annoying.
seems like a spammer's been here joan!
i actually think they aren't barbaric. the french have been using 'squatters' for ages... everyone's used to different things and it doesn't mean that the westerned-world is any more civilised. the toilets here in britain aren't all that wonderful... and i'd imagine the japanese probably think we are all barbarians! everyone is always more familiar with things they are used to...
Posted by: tiggie at August 3, 2004 7:33 PMi'm ok with squatting toilets...in fact, i think they're prob more hygenic in some instances! I just don't like the way they use the toilets! Leaving it in a big mess and all.
Ok, so i guess Point 4 isn't very relevant. But i can't take it off now since you've commented on it!
Posted by: dsd at August 3, 2004 11:41 PMtiggie: righto - I can't believe there is still CARPETED toilets in some households...(well actually mine...it is SO unhygenic)
Posted by: Victor at August 4, 2004 2:21 AMLOL DSD, you really have me hurting with laughter sometimes...
I thought I was the only one to notice such "unusual" behaviour... Take it from me the Gents is an experience to be missed!
Even worse sometimes their aim is well off mark (perhaps after a few beers?), leaving an unpleasant present for the cleaner. The gents does not have a sanitary box, so the waste just goes onto the floor, to be trodden in, and then walked back into the restaurant or bar. I once went into the gents in Malonys bar in George St Sydney and bolted back outside....
The French do use Squatters in the southern regions (no pun intended), but that is probably the North African influence. You won't find one in Paris! And rural Japan (in fact outside of Tokyo) is squatters all the way in public toilets, however most households (or at least all the ones I have been in)have a WC!
Posted by: Ross at August 4, 2004 10:51 AMI think I prefer to squat when it's a public toilet.
We have the same problem of people squatting on the sit-down toilet at work. Believe me, it's even more annoying when you're the one that has to clean it, often several times per day.
I agree with Victor that carpeting your 'wc' is the most barbaric bathroom custom on the planet.
Posted by: joe at August 4, 2004 11:17 AMyou find "squatters" in paris alright!
Posted by: tiggie at August 4, 2004 11:37 PM