As lucky as I feel to be able to travel for an extended period of time, it’s not always easy and it certainly is not glamorous. There are frustrations and inconveniences along the way. There are cultural differences that take some getting used to.
To me, these inconveniences are 100% worth the reward of adventure and experience. Some folks may not agree or find them to be quite so minor. This is the first installment of a series of posts I am going to make about the inconveniences we have encountered while traveling through Southern China.
China is huge. It’s as big as the U.S. So, what we have encountered in Southern China, may not be the norm in other parts, just like the culture, food, norms in Mobile, Alabama are not going to be the same as they are in New York City or Topeka, Kansas.
Squat Toilets
Phil and I encountered a few squat toilets when we traveled to Turkey but they were not the norm in Istanbul or Antalya, where we visited. In Southern China, they are the type of toilet you will most often encounter. Squat toilets (or Eastern toilets as they are sometimes referred to) are what they sound like. Instead of sitting to use them, one squats over them. They are porcelain, just like a pedestal toilet, but a floor level porcelain pan. Your bum does not come in contact with the toilet, and, because of this, it is considered by many to be more hygienic than a pedestal toilet. There are grooves on either side where you place your feet for balance and you squat to do your business.
Before I ever encountered a squat toilet myself, I was aware of them. I was under the impression that there were also some sort of grab bars beside the toilet that one could hold onto while they crouched or squatted. This is not the case, or not the norm anyway. On rare occasion I have encountered a grab bar and on trains that have squat toilets, there is a grab bar to counter balance the swaying. Other than these few examples, it’s all up to your ability. If you are someone who can hold a low squat (like malasanna pose in yoga) flat footed with no issues, then you will have no problem. If you regularly pop a squat in the woods when hiking, then you will also probably have no problem. If, like me, you can hold a squat on the ball of your foot, you will probably also be fine as you can steady yourself using the bathroom stall wall if needed, but at some point, you are going to pee on your shoes (hopefully just a little). I also pee on my shoes sometimes when popping a squat in the woods. What are you gonna do?
On the bright side, there’s no better test of strength, balance, and dexterity than having a few beers and using a squat toilet without incident. If you can pull it off you’ll feel like an accomplished athlete (as depicted below).
If you have knee or mobility issues, there is a 50/50 chance that you will encounter a western/pedestal toilet in a public restroom. These are often labeled as barrier free (with a wheelchair symbol) or family toilets. In public bathrooms that are used infrequently, like in a park, there is a high probability that these stalls will be locked. They also might not be super clean (not unlike a park bathroom in the states).
You are most likely to find western style toilets in museums or major tourist attractions (also every hotel we stayed in had pedestal toilets). Though they will have signs reminding folks to please not squat on them (you may have seen similar signs in international airport bathrooms). Again, folks that like squat toilets find western toilets to be unsanitary.
Restrooms with squat toilets tend to be very wet, like all over the place, so be careful because they can be slippery. The wetness is mostly water from the flushing, but it certainly could be from people peeing on their shoes (very sanitary), or a combo. Either way, they are often wet. I wonder if the use of squat toilets contributes to the Chinese custom of taking outside shoes off and wearing slippers or indoor slide sandals while indoors?
Carry your own toilet paper and napkins
Public restrooms will often not have toilet paper. Carry some. They sell little packs of napkins in most convenience stores, so Phil and I usually carry a pack or two of those to use as napkins or TP. Many restaurants don’t automatically give you napkins and if they do, they usually charge you for them (but they will give you a whole pack). At the night markets, you will want to bring your own napkins as well because many of those vendors will not have them. If you’re like me and tend to get a little sloppy, you’ll be glad you did.
On the bright side
China has public restrooms everywhere, so no need to worry that you’ll have to go awkwardly searching and asking via translator. You will encounter them. Unlike in the U.S. where the closest thing to public restrooms (other than parks) we have are gas stations and fast food restaurants. Or, unlike when we lived in Spain, where if we needed to use the restroom while out and about, we would need to stop by a cafe and purchase a coffee or beer to use theirs.
Some public restrooms are better than others for sure. I have yet to encounter one that I refused to use. If that were to happen, rest assured that another will come along soon that may be better.
In Conclusion
We have a friend who traveled to Shanghai and reported that she did not encounter squat toilets there. As more western tourists travel to China (they just started to allow Canadians, Brits, and other Europeans to visit for 30 days, visa-free), pedestal toilets may become more common in the south. Either way, the beauty, nature, kind people, and delicious food far out way the inconvenience of using an eastern-style toilet. Plus, it’s building my quads and helping to loosen up my tight hips. That’s a win.
Next up, The Food: You Might Get a Headache and Other Dietary Considerations
Jess Barrington Travels 