As I'm sitting here shitting on the new way too tall toilet at work with the balls of my heels dangling all I can think is id love that toilet right now
I didnt until today. And im really trying to understand how this works exactly without using Google. I dont think i wanna see what Google will show me. So ill just ask here. Do you squat or stand like normal to pee? I feel like both are a mistake here. Im just confused by this whole thing here. And are those slippers there at the edge of the toilet? And thats a normal thing to see? Or is it a shower too and those are shower shoes? I swear im not trying to be funny. Id truly like to know. Thank you.
Those are toilet slippers - in a Japanese home you take your shoes off at the door and put on slippers. But those slippers can't go into to the toilet, so you take those slippers off at the toilet door and put on toilet slippers.
I believe in general you want to squat for all of your business with this setup.
Why so many slippers? And why wear them for 20 seconds while you pee? Are they plastic/splash proof? Or because the floors are super cold? Or just a climate cold area?
And do you share them? Or one size fits all? What if 4 ppl live in the house (2 kids, 2 adults)? Does everyone keep slippers around one toilet?
Are the showers in the bathroom too? Or a different bathroom?
And (last question) what's that silver thing on the floor? Is that part of the toilet or a drain?
I think google is your friend here man 😂 I believe the plastic slippers for toilet are to avoid stepping in spray/ germ infested ground, and avoid tracking throughout house.
Well to be honest I have dealt with this in past in military, but specifically in Japan they believe less body contact is better for hygiene, also squatting is better posture for bowle movements lol also apparently there's less plumbing involved so cheaper. Was very weird to us westerners visiting... but interesting when we figured it all out
Everything else was answered fairly straightforward, just adding the silver pipe, if you follow it up goes to the cistern. It has a flush. Unless you mean off in the corner, thats a drain. Various cultures have floor drains in the bathing/toilet areas. Some its because the whole room is a shower space, or at least not so separated. Some for cleaning.
Personally ever since my first kitchen job I cant for the life of me figure out why we dont have floor drains in kitchens and bathrooms as a standard.
It's mainly tradition but basically so unsanitary things don't get into the living area. Same reason you take your shoes off when you come into the home.
What happens when you need to go so bad that taking the time to change slippers would result in a big mess? This would not work for me about half the time
You squat. Honestly it's gross to stand to pee for men or women. Even if you can't see it, tons of little piss particles are sprayed through the bathroom when you stand to pee. Then again when you flush the toilet with the lid open. You should always sit to pee, it's just cleaner. I don't like brushing my teeth or drying my hands with piss particles.
They were very common in Japan until recently, still are in rural areas. When I was there in 2017 I saw one in Tokyo Station, but there were like 4 western (chair) toilets in the same bathroom. Almost everything in the cities is western style now though.
A lot more than that. Just between China and India, who both use these types of toilets, you're looking at nearly 3 billion people (1.45 and 1.4 billion, respectively.)
That's nearly half of the nearly 8 billion that make up the world population just between two countries.
Never mind if you take into account the rest of Asia. You would probably be well north of 4 billion. Which is primarily where you'll find these. But I'm just generalizing for the sake of making the numbers easier.
That's not to say every person uses squat toilets in these places, but if you walk into a public bathroom, this is what you'll find. Although not nearly as pristine as the one here.
I've only used these once but it's honestly not bad even for my obese ass. If you really are curious about the mechanics try getting your pants/undies down to your knees, then squat. Can also hoist your pant legs up higher but it's really not necessary. Pee all goes straight down anyw even if you've got femme bits.
Just be careful for pockets. One of my uncles dropped his phone in once
So when I shit, I pull my pants down and sit down. Doing that on this squat thing would definitely lead to piss or worse splashing on clothing. I understand that it's widespread but I don't understand the mechanics of it. How is this used while wearing shoes, pants and boxers?
It's the same shit when I ask about bidets. Apparently even asking how it works is offensive to people. Full disclosure, I OWN a bidet and can't figure out how it could be better than just wiping my ass with paper.
Don't pull your pants down to your ankles and spread your feet a bit wider.
If you notice that many Slavs and Asians squat as a resting pose, most westerners probably don't have the muscles to hold the squat. Squatty Potty was literally invented because it's closer to humans natural poop stance, and allows it on a "normal toilet".
Like it states, that is a recommendation for newer users and not a requirement. I found it extremely relatable to the original question of "how do I not get shit on my clothes l".
I understand that. I don't see how that would change with experience but believe it works. I mean, a billion people can use a squat toilet. It can't be THAT hard.
You're not doing a great job selling this as an improvement. Lol. I can imagine it. The benefit is cost/convenience at the risk of...less clean. But I think those same cultures specify which hand to use and people notice when you use that hand for other things.
My dad was 6’4” and worked as a lineman for the electric company for 37 years climbing the utility poles. At a certain point in his retirement he needed a higher toilet seat with bars to get standing after using the toilet. Maybe if this style toilet is all you know from birth, it works for you.
I hear you. I think about a lot of people I know when I see this and the pushback we get when we're confused about HOW it works for people. I know a LOT of people who couldn't physically squat to use a toilet like this.
I want to say it was An Idiot Abroad but some goofy travel show covered this. Older people had essentially commode top things to pop over the hole and sit.
There was also a comment on a diff sub from some one who traveled Asia back in the day. They saw a line of older dudes with their arms linked together for support squatting. There were also areas younger people would help the person out with stability.
Ok but the mechanics of it just flummox me. Yes he is definitely limber enough but, do you take everything off below the waist?? If he just shoves it down then his clothes would get splashed based on his squat position. I saw one in France and I just couldn’t lol.
Surprisingly in other countries we have core strength and our legs are strong enough to hold us. We walk places every day and we are actually quite fit.
There is a school of thought that says western cultures obsess about chairs and how squatting is undignified, to the point where people stop squatting to do anything at all and lose the ability. We would probably have better knees later in life if we squatted more rather than always sitting high up off the ground.
Or we have body pain and/or mobility issues from disorders and afflictions we can’t afford proper care for ‘cause the healthcare system is unnecessarily expensive and medical insurance extraordinarily soulless.
Its how we evolved to shit, so it works way better than you think. Your feet are forward a bit and to the sides. Your butthole is facing nearly straight down into the guided hole. If you raise up a bit or arch weird it makes your chocolate starfish aim more backwards not forwards. Maybe with massively explosive diarrhea that can go backward with enough force to ricochet forward 2 feet. But that would make a mess on a western toilet as well. And sounds like getting severe food poisoning while also having a disease that causes intestinal issues.
If its a public bathroom there are visual, grippy spots to put your feet. Residential/hotel bathrooms the floor is a bit softer where your feet go (or so ive read) but its not an aim issue. You dont aim at all. Its a toilet designed no matter how tall, short, skinny or fat you are, if you squat it all lines up.
Typical Squat toilet.
Pro tip: Squat toilets make it easier to poop. It opens you up more.
LONG before toilets were ever invented, that's how humans pooped.
I was in China for work and had to use these every day at the work site. Once you get used to it, it's actually better than sitting like us westerners are used to. The issue about getting poop and pee on your clothes was never a problem for me. BUTT...in the winter, when you have 3 or 4 layers of clothes on due to working in a cold plant under construction, you basically have to remove all your lower garments in order to be able to squat low enough. I'm not certain what that chrome piece on the floor is. The squatty potties that I used would not accept toilet paper, so you wiped and placed the used tissue in a bucket next to the squatty pottie. That was unpleasant.
Squatting is a normal position in Asia. Waiting on the bus, eating, playing cards, are all done squatting, especially on the streets. In the states, we're not flexible enough because we don't do it every day since we were born.
There's also less privacy. Some toilets would have low walls along 3 walls, but no door.
I stayed at a nice hotel in Korea. They have western toilets (as do most places that have regular western visitors). But the thing there is housekeeping would stick their mops into the toilet and then mop the floors.
Its a full squat. When you drop all the way you're fine. In the west if you're from an urban or suburban area and never went camping, dont do any sports or exercise, and dont stretch, it could be uncomfortable to squat all the way down.
Yup. Definitely impractically weird. I often wonder how much they hate these things when they get chronic diarrhea. Imagine being older and that's going on too. Whoever thought they were a great idea is strange.
Having travelled extensively these squat too lol ets are prevent the world over. The western toilet (that is anatomically really badly designed) is not that popular in many other countries
Kiwi here, lived in China for a year and had a 'squat' toilet like this the whole time, they have them in most Asian countries and parts of Italy. I rate them highly. The first week is a bit tough on the thighs but you'll appreciate the first world efficiency. Normally they just use a small hose or bucket of water to wash up then dry yourself with toilet paper.
This is a normal toilet is most of Asia. Our bodies are meant to squat to poop. Sitting, doesn’t do the body good. Us westerners are the weird ones honestly.
Squad toilet, super common in Asia. Trust me, you get over it pretty damn quick when you gotta go.
When in China, if I was out and had the option to use this or a western style toilet, I still chose this. I didn't travel thousands of miles to do the same thing I do at home
Legitimate question as someone from a country who doesn't have toilets in this style (but has seen them before), how do elderly folk manage to use these? Or disabled folks? Post-OP people?
My understanding is that you squat on these because squatting is a natural position that makes movements easier. But, um... not everyone has the capacity TO squat?? So, if you live in a country where these are the norm, but you can't actually squat, what are your options?
Idk if you get to call this one weird, there's like a half a billion of these types of toilets in other countries
I'd say a lot of folks have no idea that toilets like this are a thing.
As I'm sitting here shitting on the new way too tall toilet at work with the balls of my heels dangling all I can think is id love that toilet right now
Apparently they're much better for you, I'd switch if I could
I didnt until today. And im really trying to understand how this works exactly without using Google. I dont think i wanna see what Google will show me. So ill just ask here. Do you squat or stand like normal to pee? I feel like both are a mistake here. Im just confused by this whole thing here. And are those slippers there at the edge of the toilet? And thats a normal thing to see? Or is it a shower too and those are shower shoes? I swear im not trying to be funny. Id truly like to know. Thank you.
Those are toilet slippers - in a Japanese home you take your shoes off at the door and put on slippers. But those slippers can't go into to the toilet, so you take those slippers off at the toilet door and put on toilet slippers.
I believe in general you want to squat for all of your business with this setup.
Thank you. Sorry. Now I have more questions.
Why so many slippers? And why wear them for 20 seconds while you pee? Are they plastic/splash proof? Or because the floors are super cold? Or just a climate cold area? And do you share them? Or one size fits all? What if 4 ppl live in the house (2 kids, 2 adults)? Does everyone keep slippers around one toilet? Are the showers in the bathroom too? Or a different bathroom? And (last question) what's that silver thing on the floor? Is that part of the toilet or a drain?
Thank you again. 🙂
I think google is your friend here man 😂 I believe the plastic slippers for toilet are to avoid stepping in spray/ germ infested ground, and avoid tracking throughout house.
Well to be honest I have dealt with this in past in military, but specifically in Japan they believe less body contact is better for hygiene, also squatting is better posture for bowle movements lol also apparently there's less plumbing involved so cheaper. Was very weird to us westerners visiting... but interesting when we figured it all out
Everything else was answered fairly straightforward, just adding the silver pipe, if you follow it up goes to the cistern. It has a flush. Unless you mean off in the corner, thats a drain. Various cultures have floor drains in the bathing/toilet areas. Some its because the whole room is a shower space, or at least not so separated. Some for cleaning.
Personally ever since my first kitchen job I cant for the life of me figure out why we dont have floor drains in kitchens and bathrooms as a standard.
It's mainly tradition but basically so unsanitary things don't get into the living area. Same reason you take your shoes off when you come into the home.
What happens when you need to go so bad that taking the time to change slippers would result in a big mess? This would not work for me about half the time
Now these are the real questions
So like if some one had colitis? You adapt to your needs. Kick off your slippers on the way to the restroom.
Or if you have to pee so bad it's all you can do to get there and pull your pants down before you begin to water the floor. This would be me
I guess same thing? On a needs basis I dont think it would matter what you needed to do if its a down to the wire emergency.
I guess Depends lol
Btw I just noticed your username and LMAO
LOL “I feel like both are a mistake”
You squat. Honestly it's gross to stand to pee for men or women. Even if you can't see it, tons of little piss particles are sprayed through the bathroom when you stand to pee. Then again when you flush the toilet with the lid open. You should always sit to pee, it's just cleaner. I don't like brushing my teeth or drying my hands with piss particles.
They were very common in Japan until recently, still are in rural areas. When I was there in 2017 I saw one in Tokyo Station, but there were like 4 western (chair) toilets in the same bathroom. Almost everything in the cities is western style now though.
Or is it the slippers facing the wrong way?
Yeah was going to say very common other than usa
A lot more than that. Just between China and India, who both use these types of toilets, you're looking at nearly 3 billion people (1.45 and 1.4 billion, respectively.)
That's nearly half of the nearly 8 billion that make up the world population just between two countries.
Never mind if you take into account the rest of Asia. You would probably be well north of 4 billion. Which is primarily where you'll find these. But I'm just generalizing for the sake of making the numbers easier.
That's not to say every person uses squat toilets in these places, but if you walk into a public bathroom, this is what you'll find. Although not nearly as pristine as the one here.
Squat toilets are common in Asian countries.
I actually saw one of these in Prague a couple of years ago. Thankfully I didn't need to use it but it weirded me out a little bit.
How do you use this without getting body waste on your clothes? Like what position do you squat in?
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+use+a+squat+toilet&oq=how+to+use+a+squat+toilet
Yeah I still feel like I'd get it on my clothes or fall backwards, lol.
Never had to dig a cathole in the woods?
Thank god, no. Lol
They don’t seem like the outdoor type if they’re asking about logistics on a squat toilet.
You'd make do without making a mess if you ever had to use one. It doesn't take much effort.
I'd definitely piss all on my undies and pants squatting down on this lmao.
Try doing it on a moving train 😭
I've only used these once but it's honestly not bad even for my obese ass. If you really are curious about the mechanics try getting your pants/undies down to your knees, then squat. Can also hoist your pant legs up higher but it's really not necessary. Pee all goes straight down anyw even if you've got femme bits.
Just be careful for pockets. One of my uncles dropped his phone in once
What position do you squat in to get body waste on your clothes?
I've never used one of these toilets so how would I know?
So when I shit, I pull my pants down and sit down. Doing that on this squat thing would definitely lead to piss or worse splashing on clothing. I understand that it's widespread but I don't understand the mechanics of it. How is this used while wearing shoes, pants and boxers?
This is what I'm trying to ask but I'm getting downvoted to hell 🤣
It's the same shit when I ask about bidets. Apparently even asking how it works is offensive to people. Full disclosure, I OWN a bidet and can't figure out how it could be better than just wiping my ass with paper.
I could explain that for you about the bidets, but neither of us are probably interested in that conversation today lol.
But yeah reddit is brutal when people ask basic questions.
Yep. Nope. Exactly.
videos exist on the internet!
if you had shit on your hands, would you be fine just using paper to clean it off? or would you prefer to use water
i dont eat food using my ass. and i say this as a bidet enjoyer.
so you… don’t care if there’s still shit particles left on your ass
Don’t even get me started on how many questions I have for people that use water/ hand to wipe themselves.
That's similar to the people who use their hand to blow their nose
Don't pull your pants down to your ankles and spread your feet a bit wider.
If you notice that many Slavs and Asians squat as a resting pose, most westerners probably don't have the muscles to hold the squat. Squatty Potty was literally invented because it's closer to humans natural poop stance, and allows it on a "normal toilet".
All this talk is making me need to shit
Excellent invention.
Just saying.
There's literally guides on the Internet. I'll shorten the one I found to the picture and a very helpful step:
"If you are new to squat toilets, it can be a good idea to fully remove your pants and underwear."
https://preview.redd.it/o9j8yhn8o8ag1.jpeg?width=460&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db0a57ac3b69db9ae19b36d96acc3412699fdb28
I think this is one of the major complications. Taking off your clothes to use the bathroom would be really difficult here.
Like it states, that is a recommendation for newer users and not a requirement. I found it extremely relatable to the original question of "how do I not get shit on my clothes l".
I understand that. I don't see how that would change with experience but believe it works. I mean, a billion people can use a squat toilet. It can't be THAT hard.
If you don't pull them down to your ankles, it shouldn't be an issue. They stay above the knee.
It's absolutely no different than sitting on a US toilet.
Imagine the people who use water/hand to wipe themselves.
You're not doing a great job selling this as an improvement. Lol. I can imagine it. The benefit is cost/convenience at the risk of...less clean. But I think those same cultures specify which hand to use and people notice when you use that hand for other things.
Uh, you SQUAT!
Duh!
I am not accurate enough to use a toilet like this, I need to be docked to the seat like an astronaut so things don’t end up where they shouldn’t be
That is the funniest thing I've read on reddit in a long time. Thank you and your space butt
That’s space ASS to you. ASStronaut.
Accuracy can only be achieved when your butthole is below the waterline.
This is the kind of genius thinking we need in this world
My dad was 6’4” and worked as a lineman for the electric company for 37 years climbing the utility poles. At a certain point in his retirement he needed a higher toilet seat with bars to get standing after using the toilet. Maybe if this style toilet is all you know from birth, it works for you.
I hear you. I think about a lot of people I know when I see this and the pushback we get when we're confused about HOW it works for people. I know a LOT of people who couldn't physically squat to use a toilet like this.
I want to say it was An Idiot Abroad but some goofy travel show covered this. Older people had essentially commode top things to pop over the hole and sit.
There was also a comment on a diff sub from some one who traveled Asia back in the day. They saw a line of older dudes with their arms linked together for support squatting. There were also areas younger people would help the person out with stability.
As an older guy, I would not be able to use this as intended. I'd very quickly end up sitting (or laying) smack in the middle of my own crap.
It's a squat toilet, very common in many parts of the world.
Do people just not have knee problems as they age in other countries?
No. Even old people squat just to sit comfortably.
https://preview.redd.it/9z2crasaq8ag1.jpeg?width=866&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6220428c27899cdb6800fdb98c824aa96501a4f6
Jesus...he's bowing outward a little but damn, he's doing it!
Ok but the mechanics of it just flummox me. Yes he is definitely limber enough but, do you take everything off below the waist?? If he just shoves it down then his clothes would get splashed based on his squat position. I saw one in France and I just couldn’t lol.
I imagine when they're using one of those all their lives they don't have too much trouble squatting as they get older.
Better body mechanics practices and being used to squatting regularly your entire life helps. For the elderly they find alternative methods.
Surprisingly in other countries we have core strength and our legs are strong enough to hold us. We walk places every day and we are actually quite fit.
There is a school of thought that says western cultures obsess about chairs and how squatting is undignified, to the point where people stop squatting to do anything at all and lose the ability. We would probably have better knees later in life if we squatted more rather than always sitting high up off the ground.
Why is this weird?
That wouldnt survive in the US, that thing would be full and clogged all the time.
How would the obese and elderly use this toilet? Toilets like this can't be easy on the knees. Yeah no way would this work in the USA.
Exactly, and even if we’re not obese are bodies are toasted from working shitty hard labor jobs for too many hours in the US, lol
Or we have body pain and/or mobility issues from disorders and afflictions we can’t afford proper care for ‘cause the healthcare system is unnecessarily expensive and medical insurance extraordinarily soulless.
Die or go into debt!! The American dream for families.
I know too many tradesmen with knee problems.
More of an issue for the quads in my experience.
Sometimes I have explosive shits. Does that mean shit would get on my socks?
That gif kind of shows it perfectly, lol.
Its how we evolved to shit, so it works way better than you think. Your feet are forward a bit and to the sides. Your butthole is facing nearly straight down into the guided hole. If you raise up a bit or arch weird it makes your chocolate starfish aim more backwards not forwards. Maybe with massively explosive diarrhea that can go backward with enough force to ricochet forward 2 feet. But that would make a mess on a western toilet as well. And sounds like getting severe food poisoning while also having a disease that causes intestinal issues.
I just don't know if I'm that accurate to be honest.
If its a public bathroom there are visual, grippy spots to put your feet. Residential/hotel bathrooms the floor is a bit softer where your feet go (or so ive read) but its not an aim issue. You dont aim at all. Its a toilet designed no matter how tall, short, skinny or fat you are, if you squat it all lines up.
Cries with American knees..
Typical Squat toilet.
Pro tip: Squat toilets make it easier to poop. It opens you up more.
LONG before toilets were ever invented, that's how humans pooped.
Do I poop in it or, take a bath in it???
Bathe, make poo, bathe again? That's just me.
Bleh, too many steps. Consolidate!
It's a squat and drop, oh my 🫨
China but many bathrooms have at least one toilet fir westerners
Do people really not know that it’s common to shit squatting. Have people really never camped.
What's weird about a squatty potty?
Enjoy the go!
I was in China for work and had to use these every day at the work site. Once you get used to it, it's actually better than sitting like us westerners are used to. The issue about getting poop and pee on your clothes was never a problem for me. BUTT...in the winter, when you have 3 or 4 layers of clothes on due to working in a cold plant under construction, you basically have to remove all your lower garments in order to be able to squat low enough. I'm not certain what that chrome piece on the floor is. The squatty potties that I used would not accept toilet paper, so you wiped and placed the used tissue in a bucket next to the squatty pottie. That was unpleasant.
Squatting is a normal position in Asia. Waiting on the bus, eating, playing cards, are all done squatting, especially on the streets. In the states, we're not flexible enough because we don't do it every day since we were born.
There's also less privacy. Some toilets would have low walls along 3 walls, but no door.
I stayed at a nice hotel in Korea. They have western toilets (as do most places that have regular western visitors). But the thing there is housekeeping would stick their mops into the toilet and then mop the floors.
It's a squat toilet, used a few in Thailand
This'll be fun to use when you're shitfaced
I drink way too much for this to work for me
From the toilet?
I like it! No putting your butt cheeks where others put their butt cheeks.
Where is the weird toilet?
How do you balance yourself?
You squat, your balance is natural, even the elderly can use them.
Its a full squat. When you drop all the way you're fine. In the west if you're from an urban or suburban area and never went camping, dont do any sports or exercise, and dont stretch, it could be uncomfortable to squat all the way down.
https://preview.redd.it/doh5g4slzaag1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f84a069796e7df3b9019c5d6bdac9031ed2fa371
They don’t know how to use the 3 shells.
This is awesome for people who stand up to pee if you think about it. Straddle that thang
You've got to go the spiderman style. 👌
Hanging upside down from the light fixture with your mask pulled up slightly?
Yup. Definitely impractically weird. I often wonder how much they hate these things when they get chronic diarrhea. Imagine being older and that's going on too. Whoever thought they were a great idea is strange.
In India too you can find these kinds of toilets , the western toilets are considered a luxury.
Unfortunately with my current knees I'd never be able to use one.
We had one like that when I lived in korea..
You can tell the Americans here.
Having travelled extensively these squat too lol ets are prevent the world over. The western toilet (that is anatomically really badly designed) is not that popular in many other countries
Kiwi here, lived in China for a year and had a 'squat' toilet like this the whole time, they have them in most Asian countries and parts of Italy. I rate them highly. The first week is a bit tough on the thighs but you'll appreciate the first world efficiency. Normally they just use a small hose or bucket of water to wash up then dry yourself with toilet paper.
This is a normal toilet is most of Asia. Our bodies are meant to squat to poop. Sitting, doesn’t do the body good. Us westerners are the weird ones honestly.
I'm wondering how many people fall back and then can't get up, what a way to go 😁
I used to live in a house with one of these, they are absolutely not suitable for having a shit while completely off your face
They say that squatting is the best way.
What do people with bad knees do? Or no legs?
Like half the world uses this type of toilet as the default, not especially weird.
It's Russian school toilet 😢
It's Russian school toilet 😢
After leg day, that could be interesting 😂😂
For those who want to experience the joy of pissing on the ground... without actually pissing on the ground.
Point to the east
Squad toilet, super common in Asia. Trust me, you get over it pretty damn quick when you gotta go.
When in China, if I was out and had the option to use this or a western style toilet, I still chose this. I didn't travel thousands of miles to do the same thing I do at home
I can just picture OP trying to sit on one of these in a public bathroom.
Like that kid we all knew who couldn't figure out urinals and just pulled his pants all the way down to his ankles to pee.
Squatting is actually good for you.
Legitimate question as someone from a country who doesn't have toilets in this style (but has seen them before), how do elderly folk manage to use these? Or disabled folks? Post-OP people?
My understanding is that you squat on these because squatting is a natural position that makes movements easier. But, um... not everyone has the capacity TO squat?? So, if you live in a country where these are the norm, but you can't actually squat, what are your options?