Use a Squat Toilet

If you're traveling to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, France, and some parts of Latin America, you're likely to encounter a squat toilet (otherwise known as a squatty potty). Even though most of the people in the world (and most of the people throughout human history) find squatting to be the most natural way to go, it can be an intimidating (and messy) task if you've never done it before. Sure, the explicitness of these instructions might make you a little uncomfortable, but not nearly as uncomfortable as it'd be to ask someone how to use a squat toilet, or walk away from one with a mess on the floor and on your clothes.

Wie man ein Hockklosett benutzt

Steps

 * 1) Bring your own toilet paper. In some places where squat toilets are common, free toilet paper isn't. It might not be necessary, as you'll see in later steps. But, if this is one luxury you're unwilling to do without, bring a bag with you too. There might not be a trash can for used toilet paper, and squat toilets aren't designed for anything but bodily excretions. You'll want to put the used toilet paper in a bag until you can find a trash can.
 * 2) *Even if you don't bring toilet paper, bring something to dry off with.
 * 3) [[Image:Squat_toilet_781.jpg|thumb]]Pour a little bit of water in the toilet. If there's no flushing mechanism, moistening the surface of the toilet will make it easier to clean off when you're done. There should be a bucket nearby full of water. If there isn't, get one from another stall. If it's empty, fill it up.
 * 4) Pull down your pants or lift up your skirt. Be careful not to let your clothes touch the floor or get in the way. If you're wearing a skirt, tuck the  end into your waist band to free your hands.
 * 5) [[Image:Squat_toilet_976.jpg|thumb]]Squat with your heels flat on the ground. You might be used to squatting on the balls of your feet, with your feet close together, but this position is very unstable and hard on the knees. Squatting with feet hip-width or shoulder-width apart and with your feet flat is easier to hold for an extended period of time (if you're in Asia, you might notice many people squatting like this in public while waiting). If there are ridged foot rests, put your feet on those; otherwise, plant your feet on either side of the toilet and squat all the way down.
 * 6) *The direction in which you face will depend on the kind of squat toilet you're using. Frankly, it doesn't really matter, as long as everything lands in the hole.
 * 7) *[[Image:Squat_toilet_291.jpg|thumb]]In Japan and some other parts of Asia, the toilet will have a hood on one end. You'll want to face the hood and get as close to it as possible if you're defecating, so you get everything in the toilet.
 * 8) *If you're wearing pants, be careful not to let things fall out of your pocket as you squat. They might land in the toilet.
 * 9) Do your business. If you're defecating, it should be relatively straightforward. In fact, some research suggests that going to the bathroom in the squatting position is better for your health in a variety of ways. If you're urinating while squatting (presuming you're a woman, since men can urinate standing up), it might be challenging to keep the urine from going where you don't want it to go (outside the toilet, down your leg, on your clothes).  Keep the following tips in mind, which apply to whether you're squatting over a toilet or behind a tree:
 * 10) *Use your hands/fingers to spread your outer and inner labia, pulling upwards and outwards. You need to spread the inner labia so your urine will come out in a stream and not run down the inside of your leg.
 * 11) *Push your urine stream hard at the beginning and at the end to get a strong stream and not dribble.
 * 12) Rinse or wipe. If you have your own toilet paper, use it, and don't throw it in the toilet when you're done; most squat toilets (even the flushing ones) will get clogged. If there's a bucket of water nearby, use your right hand to pour it on yourself and use your left hand to cleanse. (This is why in some countries, people don't shake hands or eat with their left hands. ) Then rinse off your left hand. Dry off with toilet paper or fabric.
 * 13) *[[Image:Squat_toilet_201.jpg|thumb]]Some toilets have a flexible rinsing mechanism.
 * 14) Flush. If there's a flushing mechanism, this part will be quite obvious: push the button, pull the string, whatever. Otherwise, pour water into the toilet until any remnants of your business are gone.

Tips

 * Practice makes perfect. If you're really proactive, practice at home (e.g. urinating in the shower) or go camping and dig out your own little squat toilet.

Warnings

 * There might not be much privacy. Some squat toilets have private stalls, and some are right there in the open next to other squat toilets. If you're shy, you might just have to get over it and understand that in that part of the world, bodily functions aren't considered worthy of being hidden.
 * If you're defecating, the odors will be much stronger than with a water-filled toilet, because there is no water to contain the smell.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Use a Bidet
 * How to Urinate Standing up As a Female
 * How to Defecate Outdoors
 * How to Make a Poop Tube
 * How to Overcome Culture Shock in a Foreign Country
 * How to Assist Children With Cultural Adjustment