Have you ever used a squat toilet?

[Wings]

Were you havjng a bath at the time?

No, but someone else was.

 

[warrior queen]

Gastroenterologists will tell you that the squat position is the ideal for your physiology. Humans evolved squatting to poop.
In the absence of such a toilet, they advise using a footstool with a regular toilet to allow your body to evacuate in this more 'natural' position.

Now to answer the op..... yes. Squat-type toilets are all over the developing world and in some developed countries as well (France was mentioned).
Using one is tricky if you're not used to it - but think 'camping' and you can't go wrong!
And if you're travelling and likely to encounter one, a small pack of babywipes carried with you at all times solves the toilet paper issue

 

[Super-Surprise]

http://www.fermentersclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/anorectal-problemsolution.jpg


Comshaw

Wouldn't leaning forward at the waist while seated have the same effect?

 

[warrior queen]

Wouldn't leaning forward at the waist while seated have the same effect?

Not according to the medicos.
Something to do with muscles pulling things into alignment.

 

[Aquagal]

I always looking for a hill to potty when camping.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I used them when I was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan. That was in town, not on the AFB. In the cheaper bars, they were just holes, lined with tile, in the floor and the shit and piss was collected in a bucket at the bottom of the hole until they were periodically cleaned out. The bucket was called a honey bucket and its contents were dumped into a honey cart.

The higher class places had a toilet (also called a "benjo") that flushed and the waste ran into the sewer. Smart alecks, including myself, usually called the toilet a "banjo."

 

[thør]

It's like shitting in the woods.

 

[SkAoUt]

It's like shitting in the woods.

A few minor differenced. In the woods you get to choose not to stand in water but maybe some soft moss and sit over a downed sapling or low tree branch while listening to the wind in the tree tops. In many public squat toilets there is water all over everything as some have an attachment akin to a spray nozzle/hose in kitchen sinks. Which makes keeping ones trousers dry rather difficult. Also the lack of grab handles makes for an interesting balancing act, a problem you rarely find in the woods.

 

[ImSinister]

While hiking in the desert I had to go. World's largest squat toilet.

Just remember to squat facing uphill

 

[venusrising2]

In Turkey. About 8 years ago. First time I encountered one, I held it till I found a more conventional toilet. A few days later, a second encounter... Not as bad as I thought. Like a couple of other posters mentioned, think camping. Lol

 

[Mick2150]

.... "Many residents of those places are horrified and disgusted by the idea of sitting on a toilet seat used by the public. They cannot understand why anyone would engage in such unhygienic behavior."...

I was friends with an Indian BOAC Air Hostess, way back when ... she told me that BOAC insisted on having ethnic staff on flights to cope with this problem - some 'rural' passengers with no flying experience didn't know that the toilet seat was meant to sit on, so they actually tried to swat with their feet on the seat ..... it seemed that clearing up the resulting mess was not covered in the contract that the UK based stewards and stewardesses' had bought into.

 

[Beco]

I've never used such a thing. How does it work?

http://0.tqn.com/d/gochina/1/G/8/9/-/-/SquatToilet.jpg

Only in the woods.....but squating is supposed to be better for you

 

[Beco]

They are fairly common in India too.[/QUOTE

I'm sure....

 

[aye_H8_ewe]

I don't use public restrooms to go poo. I only go at home or in the hotel when I travel. I once held it for 5 days on a camping trip.

 

[aye_H8_ewe]

So how does a man urinate? A man can urinate sitting on a toilet or standing, I don't know if its possible to go in such a strange position.

Would a man stand above and aim toward the little hole, or is it only intended for women to go #1 and 2 and men to go # 2? Do they have separate urinals?

 

[aye_H8_ewe]

No offense but the "hole" thing seems rather primitive, like returning to the animal level. We humans should sit on a throne as befits our status at the top of the animal kingdom, not squat down like a beast.

 

[StrangeLife]

Okay that's what I thought. So then after taking them off, do I put my shoes back on? I can't imagine squatting on it barefoot.

That's actually a good question. When I lived in southern France I always wore light foot-wear like sandals, so they were easy to slip off so I could remove my pants and step back into the shoes before assuming the position. I never watched a girl on the toilet (those selfish bitches always closed the door ) but I assume it's even easier if you wear a dress.

I frankly don't know how to best do this in colder regions if you wear heavy laced boots or something. I've never encountered this type of toilet in those places.

My birthday was last week, I'm old now, once down for more than a minute those quads are gonna start shaking.

Nobody says that you have to assume a sumo-stance. Squatting to poop is not like squatting to exercise - you'd do fine I'm sure.

And if it's really a problem, some of the toilets have a small bench with a hole in the middle that you can borrow. This can be placed over the drain so you can sit down on while doing your business.

And really the whole hygienic comparison with a sit down toilet? Isn't that what toilet seat covers are for? I'd rather use that than wiping with my hand. Oofta.

These toilets are generally on the clean side compared to other types of public restrooms - probably because they're so easy to hose down.

 

[subdued_passion]

Yes, atleast once a day.

I've never used such a thing. How does it work?

Same way as otherwise, only you squat (which means you'll finish quick and won't have time to read the entire paper before you're done).

 

[John Doe]

I couldn't figure out why more places don't use squat toilets until I read these posts:

I don't use public restrooms to go poo. I only go at home or in the hotel when I travel. I once held it for 5 days on a camping trip.

So how does a man urinate? A man can urinate sitting on a toilet or standing, I don't know if its possible to go in such a strange position.

Would a man stand above and aim toward the little hole, or is it only intended for women to go #1 and 2 and men to go # 2? Do they have separate urinals?

No offense but the "hole" thing seems rather primitive, like returning to the animal level. We humans should sit on a throne as befits our status at the top of the animal kingdom, not squat down like a beast.

 

[Laurel]

They're easy to use, and much healthier than sitting on a commode for hours.

https://24.media.tumblr.com/b51825f62540e06393ee3334055f37ff/tumblr_n2bsu3Kz211qc89eyo1_500.jpg

 

[unregistered]

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Nope but I saw them in China.

 

[norfolklad]

Nope but I saw them in China.

Many years ago I found myself in a rather primitive British Army camp in a remote area. The 'facilities' comprised a long metal pipe with holes cut in it at intervals but at least wooden seats were provided, so, in a way, they were a cross between the two systems.

The whole thing was flushed once a day in the early hours. That greatly encouraged everyone to be first out of bed!

My list of essential hiking gear includes a small shovel. The worst bit is having to explain to novices how to go about it and the rules that surround it.

 

[topale]

Like the other poster said, they're all over southern France. Haven't seen any anywhere else.

RobDownWithAllThingsSouthern

 

[Super-Surprise]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nCfG5pGH-K0/T5bIiSn5NOI/AAAAAAAABSI/K5z_xWqnwyg/s1600/14162510590.png