toilet advice

Haylo · Jun 25th, 2008, 02:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

It just leaves me wondering -- you'd have to have somewhere to pee to though, no?

At this point my mind turns to the Captain's profile photo...

shishkani · Jun 25th, 2008, 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

It just leaves me wondering -- you'd have to have somewhere to pee to though, no?

(Picturing the outdoors: Well, why not squat. Picturing a squat toilet: Well, why not squat. I may be thick but I think I'm not getting it

)

I suppose you mean in quasi-public circumstances? Well, if the attention factor is a concern like it seems to be to many visitors... I'd say squatting may give you a lot more peace of mind

Okay, you're a man, so you probably don't squat when you need to pee. Try this sometime when you're on a hike - take your pants down, point yourself more or less downwards (as if you had an immobile exit point like we do) and try to pee without falling or getting it on yourself.

Or just imagine how difficult that is, perhaps. Because I can assure you, it's not near as easy as getting to stand up and whip it out.

By the phrase 'have somewhere to pee to' I imagine you mean having a place to pee like a bathroom, etc? Well yeah, but I'd still rather pee into a squat toilet through a funnel, the same way I do at bars where the toilet seats are not clean enough to sit on. And in public - if I have to, then I'll just let them wonder, but for the most part I think I'll do my best to not have to pee in public.

machadinha · Jun 25th, 2008, 02:29

The great thing about squat toilets however is you don't need to make contact with them. They're quite hygienic that way, even if they can otherwise be as filthy as any western public loo might be.

Lady friends of mine pee squatting between parked cars if they have to. I'd like to think I'm not totally naive about the process. It seems to work for them.

By somewhere to pee to, I meant that funnel looks nice, but you're going to have to direct it somewhere, no?

People here complain about seeing Indian men pissing in the streets. From my observations they will mostly do this squatting down though (may depend on area), presumably partly out of cultural habit, or partly because that's just the easier position when wearing a lungi or similar. This is often straight into an open sewer or so, it's actually not that disgusting as some make it out to be (yes, I suppose in major cities and so on it will be different).

Women will assume a similar position. While I was being mostly tongue-in-cheek, I think if you're trying to blend in, you might do well to follow suit.

But suit yourself of course, go with what you're comfortable with.

shishkani · Jun 25th, 2008, 02:38

No, I do appreciate the advice - this is going to be my first time both in India and out of the country at all.

Haylo · Jun 25th, 2008, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

The great thing about squat toilets however is you don't need to make contact with them. They're quite hygienic that way, even if they can otherwise be as filthy as any western public loo might be.

Exactly, western loos can be unspeakably horrible, especially if you don't look too closely before sitting down...

Quote:

By somewhere to pee to, I meant that funnel looks nice, but you're going to have to direct it somewhere, no?

Disrespectful as it sounds, I'm sure India has been pissed on before.

Seriously, thanks for the heads up, it really wouldn't have occured to me to squat!

Jun 25th, 2008, 02:29	#108
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,149	The great thing about squat toilets however is you don't need to make contact with them. They're quite hygienic that way, even if they can otherwise be as filthy as any western public loo might be. Lady friends of mine pee squatting between parked cars if they have to. I'd like to think I'm not totally naive about the process. It seems to work for them. By somewhere to pee to, I meant that funnel looks nice, but you're going to have to direct it somewhere, no? People here complain about seeing Indian men pissing in the streets. From my observations they will mostly do this squatting down though (may depend on area), presumably partly out of cultural habit, or partly because that's just the easier position when wearing a lungi or similar. This is often straight into an open sewer or so, it's actually not that disgusting as some make it out to be (yes, I suppose in major cities and so on it will be different). Women will assume a similar position. While I was being mostly tongue-in-cheek, I think if you're trying to blend in, you might do well to follow suit. But suit yourself of course, go with what you're comfortable with. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jun 25th, 2008, 02:38	#109
shishkani Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 6	No, I do appreciate the advice - this is going to be my first time both in India and out of the country at all.

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