Ewww Gross

I don't know how many of you have traveled outside the United States, but for those of you who have, if you're anything like me, you love it, but it's always nice to come back home. Foreign countries have different customs, scenery, food, habits, and technology. I'd like to focus on "technology." The technology I am referring to, is the good old water closet, john, potty, crapper... otherwise known as the toilet.

Now, some of you may be wondering why I would post about something so seemingly disgusting (which it is, I admit). I , however, believe this is an interesting issue.

For those of you who have not been to China, you probably haven't encountered the typical Chinese toilet... the squatter. Be glad you haven't. I won't go into great detail about how it is used because I would like to refrain from being utterly gross. I think you can figure it out.

Picture yourself in one of the nicest restaurants you have ever been in. You get up to go to the restroom, to find no seats at all. Nothing but a nice little hole. Needless to say, it is nasty.

Why doesn't China update its toilet technology? Well, apparently they are looking into it. In an article published in 2004, with MSNBC, they discuss this very issue and how it relates to the Olympics coming in 2008. In 2004, the government had spent over $24 million on the toilet reconstruction project in 3 years. They plan on keeping the restrooms cleaner with attendants there constantly cleaning them, as well as turning the hole in the ground into a seat most people are used to. They will then tag a rating system to the restrooms. Restrooms with 4 stars will have changing tables and different sized urinals in the men's restrooms. There could even be lotion and hot towels offered to its patrons.

FYI: One-third of all tourist complaints are about bathroom conditions according to the Beijing Tourism Association. Yikes!