Everybody Poops

Traveling through Asia is an eye-opening experience.  From the food to the culture things are surely different here than back home.  It’s the basic necessities of life where those differences stand out the most. 

I promise not to get too graphic but I am somewhat fascinated by the difference in a simple thing like the toilets between East and West.  It is fairly common to find the standard Western toilet in many bathrooms but it’s also likely to open the stall door and find a simple squat toilet consisting of just a porcelain hole in the floor.  The first time I saw one I was both intrigued and petrified at the same time. 

When we visited Japan there was a broad range of toilets, from the lowly squat to the elegance of a heated seat toilet seat with a bidet.  I must admit that it was bliss coming in from the cold afternoon to a heated seat.  They even have a small sink behind the toilet that has running water so others won’t hear you doing your business. 

All these toilets came to a head for me one afternoon when I was searching for an open toilet in the Japanese subway.  In a panic I made my way into the restroom only to find the only open stall contained the squat toilet.  At this time I was wearing three layers of cloths, including a jacket, a backpack and time was becoming an issue.  I did my duty, likely facing the wrong direction, checked myself to make sure I was presentable in public and headed out.  As I looked across the row of stalls I noticed an entire section of Western toilets I could have used.  Instead I got a cultural experience I’ll never forget.