How to cope with Asian squat toilets

When you are traveling in Asia and you happen to run across a western-style toilet never lose an opportunity to use it. Traditionally, except in Western style hotels, you are most likely to encounter squat toilets and if you have never encountered a squat toilet before, except when maybe out berry picking back home in the bush, you will find a smelly hole in the ground with a splash guard. It’s not something Westerns are used to but it is what most of Asia prefers. In fact, in one Western fast food location in Shanghai, that had installed a Western style toilet we found shoe foot prints on the toilet seat as apparently they didn’t know they were to sit on it and still preferred to squat. While no problem for a man needing quick relief it maybe a challenge for a woman for the first time so be prepared. However, the good news is that as countries such as China continue to modernize, you will start to find Western style toilets at airports, shopping centers and major tourist attractions. One word of caution! Always remember to carry a supply of tissue paper with you at all times. You will not find any in most Asian toilets.