How to use the Toilet...

Well, hmmm..... never occurred to me to try the forbidden way, but also never thought to use a hairdryer while showering, but someone did and now we have warning labels on hairdryers.

I have seen evidence that a person has stood on the toilet seat in a rest room the US. I assumed it was an Asian trying to squat. Other times I seen Asians leave a stall in a US women' room, leaving the seat up. Yes, it is cultural differences. I found having to use squat toilets in other parts of the world difficult; they are most likely puzzled by those in the US. Now if the whole world had Japanese toilets, the would be a huge plus!

Well, to be fair, back when squat toilets were more common in Europe, I can't tell you how many North Americans were clueless to how to use, using a hover or high altitude stance rather than getting down to within striking distance so to speak. Surprised the cleaning persons did not post a similar sign but in reverse.

That actually was a very common problem at my multi-cultural workplace where the seats would have to be replaced often because standing on them would break them. The company finally made similar signs.

Allan, you will probably get a lot of views on your posting from the title! ; )

I've seen these in a few places in North America but can't remember where. I suspect in train station bathroom in Toronto and some airports....maybe Vancouver airport. Also hit LA and SF airports that trip so could be one of those as well. Confused me. Never thought those used to squats would climb up to try and balance to squat, but makes sense, I guess.

I saw a similar sign in a restroom at McDonald's in Jackson, Wyoming last year. I assumed that it was necessary to post the message!

I’ve seen plenty of evidence of the toilet bowl squat where I live (muddy footprints on the bowl rim is the giveaway).

For Emma: https://slate.com/culture/2013/04/toilet-seats-u-shaped-in-public-o-shaped-at-home-why-photo.amp

Saw many of these signs in Europe and now here at home too. I say “When I “Rome”!

Someone I know from Asia actually broke a toilet in a hotel from squatting on it. Not just the toilet seat, but the whole toilet.

People who study these things say that squatting is physiologically much healthier and easier, and if you're used to that position, you can't necessarily switch to sitting easily.

Saw a sign advertising a squat toilet in Yellowstone last month, at West Thumb. It was the only one we saw in the park, although given the number of Asian tourists in the park, I'm surprised it was the only one.
Edit: Lots of westerners were in line to use the toilet too. I was curious, but didn't need to go and didn't want to wait in line just to look at it.

Ladies going to Paris, take note:

https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/paris-ile-de-france/paris/paris-plages-urinoirs-feminins-tronent-cote-serviettes-1705322.html?fbclid=IwAR3lH4M_573zWSYH4ifi7p1zf-16GU6xU68ZtkPUnQcQsQUWnoU1jxN1KW8

And in office restrooms in San Francisco, instructions for women who "hover":
If you sprinkle when you tinkle
Be a sweetie and wipe the seatie.

In Germany, you may see signs telling men to sit. Especially in private pensions or small restaurants. Keeps the bathrooms cleaner.

Julie, there are also vault squat toilets at Mud Volcano in Yellowstone.

They do have the instructional signs posted in most of the bathrooms and vault toilets in Yellowstone.

FWIW, I’ve seen them many places in Western Europe. The first time was in the toilets in the bus parking lot in Lauterbrunnen!

Sign in the ladies room at the First recreation area near Grindelwald, Switzerland

https://www.flickr.com/photos/70642999@N03/48436304682/in/dateposted-public/

Or you could have a fifty-fifty.........in many Autogrills in Italy, there are western style toilets in the gents but no seats.

One thing in Europe I didn't grow up with - using the brush on the toilet when you finish.

Yes, Frank II, I was about to mention the seatless variety so common in Italy. Coupled with the ever-present brush because of the bowl designed to stain... iIt is an amusing world out there. I always carry wet wipes in my pocket or purse when using the loo anywhere as you never know what you'll find. I have spruced up many a bathroom on a train. You’re welcome.

When we were in Japan many years ago, one day, we met our daughter, who was living and working there, at the Osaka Hilton. The ladies’ had booths labeled, Western” and “Japanese.” To my surprise, there were several “Westerns” available while there was a line of Japanese women waiting for the others. My daughter explained that Japanese women considered western style toilets unhygenic because of body contact with the seat. I’ll also throw in that my mother taught me to hover because she believed you could catch “a disease” from toilet seats, and she wasn’t Japanese.

I saw those signs in the bathrooms in China at the airports. I thought they were rather humorous but then, I prefer the western toilets.

I do remember the hole in the ground toilets in the Middle East. I lived in Saudi Arabia in the 80s and many of the locals would still squat on the Western Toilets.

Another thing that I remember going to Athens, Greece in 1985, I was told in my hotel that the local sewage system was not designed to accept toilet paper.
After you used the tp, you had to put it in a trash can. I didn't care much for that.

I grew up using squatting "toilets" (I still prefer them due to the hygiene and ease of use), however, I would never think to squat on a western style toilet as that seems dangerous to me. Interestingly, one of our three bathrooms growing up had a western style toilet and a bidet, however, no one in my household used them. We also did not have or use toilet paper growing up, but rather there was a water hose in every bathroom for clean up.

These signs are quite prominent now in the Jungfrau area which has of late become quite inundated with Asians and Indians.

Over 50 yrs of sitting on public toilets - no diseases yet . Wipe it down and put you butt down , you’ll live , and you won’t even get pregnant .

Friend of mine bartender at a small bar in Paris - it’s usually just him and another employee so they clean the bathrooms too , he hates it when women “ hover “ as they usually end up dripping in the seat .

I've been told by flight attendants that passengers from some countries also tend to squat on the aircraft toilets. I haven't been on an international flight in awhile, so don't know if they're putting similar signs on planes. I've found that WC's on planes are usually a huge mess by the time the plane arrives at the destination.

Wow Tim, inundated with Indians and Asians? Cause being packed with N. American tourists was ok?
Sounds like you are saying, back off India and China and please don't visit the tourist attractions in Europe because there isn't enough room for you too.

Wow Tim, inundated with Indians and Asians? Cause being packed with N. American tourists was ok?
Sounds like you are saying, back off India and China and please don't visit the tourist attractions in Europe because there isn't enough room for you too.

No, Tim was simply stating that there are more signs regarding the proper use of the toilets in the area and this was likely due to the influx of Indian or Asian people who are used to a different method of going to toilet.

What is it with the rise in being "offended" and unsubtle accusations of racism (let's face it, that's what you were getting at)?

It is the word inundated that Tim used instead of saying a site is popular. Inundated means overrun. So yes, I did find it racist which is I why I posted what I did. It is ok to be offended when someone says something offensive. Being silent means you think it is ok.

Is Chinese and Indian tourism growing? Sure it is and everyone is profiting from it. They are enjoying the fruits of their labor just like Americans did in the '50s, 60's, 70's when we did not know how to behave either.
If they have different toilet culture, that is also ok.

As a World traveler having visited 78 countries and loving every minute of my travels in East and South Asia as well as Europe, I have not bias against Asians.

One thing that is somewhat annoying is the tendency of Chinese tourists to block scenic views of others wanting to take photos. I understand why this happens. A friendly young Chinese woman on a tour with us in Australia admitted that Chinese tend to do this because China is so crowded (I know as well because I have been there) that people have learned to be a bit aggressive in ways that we might think is impolite.

I didn't think using the word innundate connotes racism in any way. Apparently, what we call PC in the USA has reached unbelievable levels.

I would bet that the seatless toilet (bowl but no moveable seat ring) will become more and more common. Why not? The seat is just as likely to be clean as the actual toilet rim. Plus it's an expense that can be omitted. And the seat is more likely to be broken, or not attached properly. You really wonder why we even have them.

It was also interesting and a bit sad to hear an Indian mum explaining to her kids in Murren that yes, the fountains all over the town were actually drinking water for all and that you didn't have to buy bottled water or boil it before drinking it in Switzerland.

Here's a family that's well off enough to have a holiday halfway around the world in a place considered to be expensive and even they don't have safe tap water back home.

Selkie, there are parts of the US where folks are scared of their drinking water as well.

I worked for a company where we had a lot of workers from overseas, sewing.

A couple of times we had to call the plumbers in because the toilets were either cracked due to users standing on the seats or, the entire toilet tore-out from the wall, snapping the pipe fitting, resulting in a flood through parts of the office areas which was adjacent to the manufacturing floor. Signs like those in the link had to be made and HR conducted 'classes' on proper toilet usage was also held. Had Squatty-Potties been invented then, the company probably would've bought a bunch of them.

Paul of the frozen north..... its about temperature control. My toilet is inches from north wall and window

.. I think I'd freeze to the toilet some winter mornings if it weren't for the seat