So for those of you who have never seen the item in the picture featured above, this is what is referred to as a squatty potty. Here in Asia these are everywhere and sometimes there are no “western” toilets to be had so one must either pee their pants or take a chance.
Here are some steps to help you survive.
1) Don’t panic! Take some deep breathes and tell yourself “I can do this!”
2) Walk carefully. For some reason the floor is ALWAYS wet.
3) I feel it is best to prepare toilet paper prior to attempting to go. Often there is no toilet paper so the key is to come prepared. So for this step get out the toilet paper/napkins you got from the restaurant/tissues that you stowed away for such a time as this.
4) Now, time to get your squat on. So there are a few techniques that on can use.
A) If you look closely you will see ridges on the sides if the toilet. This is for your feet. Yep, that’s right, you are supposed to stand on it. After you have a good stance proceed to squat, the lower the better. (This technique is what the locals do. In fact, one could wonder if they apply this same technique to a western toilet; shoe prints have been spotted more than once on toilet seats)
B) You may also choose to stand in front of the toilet and attempt a chair position squat taking care to aim properly.
An important part to this step it to ensure that clothing items are not in the line of fire or well….you can use your imagination.
4)This part is tricky. You must relax so you can go. Easy to say and not to do because you are trying so hard not to fall and you are sweating bullets because it’s like 100 degrees with a humidity of like 70%. Not to mention that you are literally working out by squatting. My advice is to keep breathing. Also, it is okay to take breaks especially if you are not used to squatting for long periods of time.
5) After utilizing you paper product keep an eye out for a trash can. If there is none, then feel free to flush it, but otherwise throw it in the can. (I look forward to not having to see or smell mounds of used toilet paper in the trash can)
6) Often there is a sprayer near the toilet, like one that you have attached to your kitchen sink to rinse dishes. Apparently it is used to rinse off the toilet after use. I have yet to use it because I can just imagine the germs on it.
7) This squatty does not gave an automatic flush feature so that is what the scoop is for. If you look to the left of the picture you will notice a tub of water with a scoop. When you are done with the toilet you must scoop water into the toilet to help it flush. I was recently informed that you do not dump the water directly into the small area where the urine is because it will cause it to smell. Instead, you should dump it up the bowl so the water flows down into the lower part.
8) After this, your hands are almost always wet and you hope they have soap so you can wash your hands. I carry hand sanitizer at almost all times for occasions like this.
9) Relax and be glad that that is over and hope you don’t have to do that again anytime soon.
I hope this helps you with your first or next squatty experience cuz they don’t come with instructions.
