How to Use a Squat Toilet

If you are spending more than a few days in Nanchang, (or China as a whole) you will more than likely have to use a squat toilet. Although the prospect may seem daunting to the uninitiated, using a squat is not as difficult as you might imagine. Nevertheless, a bit of knowledge about what to expect and some tips on usage can certainly help first-timers to avoid some of the more common problems. Generally speaking, this issue is more likely to affect women than men, but the advice below holds true for both.

1. Tissues. Before you even leave your home or hotel, make sure you've got at least one pack of tissues with you as most public toilets don’t provide toilet paper. Also, don’t forget wet wipes and hand sanitizer as there’s a good chance that soap won’t provided when you wash your hands.
2. Bags. If you are carrying a bag, hand it to a friend as hooks are seldom found and you won’t want to put your bag on the floor!
3. Locks. Check to see if the lock on the door works. Many times broken locks don’t get repaired, so you’ll have to use a spare hand to keep the door shut. Even if the lock shows ‘green’ there may be someone already in there, so knock or open cubicle doors with caution.
4. Wet Floors. The floors of public toilets can be quite wet, either from being washed or from splashing. This can cause a couple of problems. First of all it can make the floor quite slippery. Second, the cuffs of trousers may get wet, so roll them up a little to keep them dry.
5. Spending a Penny. OK, you’ve got your tissues, got rid of your bag, found an empty cubicle and taken precautions to avoid getting wet…now comes the hard part, actually using the toilet. In fact, this is not quite as difficult as you may think. The hardest part is balancing, and once you’ve mastered this the rest is quite easy. Face forward (the door) and plant your feet either side of the pot. Sometimes there are grooved sections on either side for your feet, sometimes there aren’t. Let your pants down and lower yourself over the hole (aiming for the middle of the potty). Some people find it easier to keep their feet flat, while others prefer to balance on their toes. It’s probably more secure if you can keep your feet flat. Practice at home first to get used to it (and to build up your thigh and calf muscles which might feel a bit painful at first). Once you’re secure, you’re free to wee!
6. Used Paper. Whether you’ve done a number 1 or number 2, if you’ve used paper try to remember not to put it into the toilet as most plumbing in China can’t handle paper being flushed. Often you’ll find a small wastebasket next to the pot. Put all tissues (and sanitary products) in there. If there isn’t a basket then drop it down the loo.
7. Cost. If you are using the bathroom in a hotel, restaurant, department store etc you are unlikely to have to pay. However, many public restrooms will charge. Keep some small change handy, such as a few 5 jiao coins. If you have to pay, a packet of tissues will probably be included in the fee.


Links:

http://www.danwei.org/2008/01/22/JDM080122toilet.php (humorous illustrated guide)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squat_toilet
http://www.worldhum.com/features/how-to/use_a_squat_toilet_20060923/
Image from http://www.danwei.org/beijing/toilets_of_beijing.php