VERY disgusting and appalled about what I saw...

[robinb]

took me six months of living in Japan before I even TRIED to use their public restrooms.. and they don't come with TP.. you have to bring your own into the stall with you.

Like this one?

For all you American potty fans ... guess where that potty is from?

1 ... 2 ... 3

Disneyland Tokyo.

ETA: If you're not used to it using one of those potties can be difficult. It can be hard to aim properly.

 

[CheshireSmile]

One of the worst days I ever spent as CM involved a mother and her daughter at the entrance to my attraction. The mother had her daughter's pants pulled down, and was holding the little girl over the bushes, and yep, as you can guess, the little girl was relieving herself. I was so shocked I didn't even know what to say. The mother saw me and said "sorry, she really had to go!" Minutes later I thought of loads of wonderful responses such as "why didn't you ask where the bathroom was?" (it's pretty nearby!) or "there isn't even a line for this ride, it's not like you've been standing in it for an hour, you're not even IN the line currently.......what is wrong with you!?!' But given my state of shock, I said nothing. I understand about when children are too young to tell you when they need to go, but then I consider it the parent's responsibility to keep ahead of the situation. I do not think exposing your daughter's naked lower half to a bunch of strangers in line and allowing you daughter to pee in my bushes was the appropriate action. And let me state that this mother spoke perfect English and was from a country where I know they have sit-down toilets, this was not a possible instance of cultural differences in bathroom habits. I went and informed my supervisor, who was all for calling Security and having the family spoken to, but my manager insisted that we just tell them not to do it again. I will be completely honest and say I walked off-stage and cried just because I was so taken aback by the whole situation and what people did without thinking twice that I considered to be pretty appalling. Okay, and now that I've derailed the thread completely, you may now return to the story about the small child and the sink. Sorry for the vent!

 

[NotUrsula]

Just to play devil's advocate here ...

1. American public restrooms have stalls. One doesn't normally see a stranger actually USE a toilet in a public restroom, so if you had never seen one, how would you know how it was to be used? (Unlike Japanese toilets, ours almost never have helpful little diagrams with stick figures on them.)

2. As with the folks who know what toilet paper is for but think that toilet paper is disgusting, remember that knowing how a facility is designed to be used and actually using it in that manner does not always follow. US toilets are designed to be sat upon, not hovered over, but how many of you hover in public toilets? If they were meant for hovering they would be narrower and lower to the ground, and there would be no "seat." Hovering over a conventional US toilet almost always results in splashing -- IMO, not that far different from a child urinating in a sink. I wipe up other people's urine from toilet seats before sitting all the time; giving a sink a swish with some warm water and soap wouldn't bother me half as much.

3. Lots of folks are saying that parents of children who are afraid of the auto-flush toilets should just cover up the sensor eye. That's practical if you know how the toilet's flush mechanism works -- but what if you don't?
I work with a lot of folks from the third world, and quite often they have never encountered an electronic motion sensor in their lives; we have to explain the restroom sink taps, and they still tend to be skeptical. Many of them think that the flushing mechanism of a power toilet must be triggered either by putting weight on the toilet seat, or by opening the stall door. (We don't have auto-flush toilets in the staff areas of the office, thank goodness. I often do see shoeprints on the seats, though.)

Honestly, I just don't think this is a huge deal in the larger scheme of things; it takes more than a little kid peeing in the sink to redline my disgust-o-meter.

 

[polynor]

agree with the pp.

Even if the mom knew how the toilet worked -- that doesn't guarantee cooperation from a young child!
We took DS3 to Taiwan where there are western and squat toilets. He was somewhat potty trained -- but if he saw a squat toilet he would not go near it and would change his mind about using the bathroom (and subsequently would rather soil himself).

On a separate trip to China, we were traveling with someone who was very ingrained with American habits that she could NOT for the life of her use a squat toilet. I know she went a whole day without using the bathroom -- and this is someone who was past 40.

Hovering above the toilet seems to me that we should just switch to the squatters...

Oh -- the most disgusting bathroom we found during our trip to Taiwan? The one in LAX on the way back. It was disgusting.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

OP here,

I'm sorry to stir this back up. But, we are all guessing that she ONLY urinated in this sink (or any other sink, for that matter). I had time to use a stall myself, come back and see that she was still there using it, and was still there when I left. I really have no idea if she "did #2" in there, but if they are not accustomed to our toilets, was scared of the flushing, or just plain disrespectful, what makes you think they weren't using the sinks for that purpose, too??

 

[MissAndrea]

Just to play devil's advocate here ...


3. Lots of folks are saying that parents of children who are afraid of the auto-flush toilets should just cover up the sensor eye. That's practical if you know how the toilet's flush mechanism works -- but what if you don't?

QUOTE]

This is what I was thinking. Remember the first time you ever encountered a sink with a motion sensor? I just stood there staring wondering how in the heck do I turn it on? I'm not at all saying there was an acceptable reason for this to happen considering there was no line, but it is a thought.

A little OT, I noticed some of the rudest people didn't speak English. I'm not at all saying that if you don't speak English, you are rude...but the ones who made me think- excuse me? That was rude! Turns out, they didn't speak any English. I noticed this the most during the parades. They would literally shove their way to the front without a second thought. Definitely cultural differences!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I don't know what I would have done if I had been there, but I'm glad that I wasn't. I did hear a small child crying in the bathroom by Splash Mtn recently. She was upset about the noise and her mother was trying her best to talk her into going. God love her. I guess it could be scary but no way would I ever do what that mother did.

I can't tell you how many times in the nine days that we were there, that I saw children and MOTHERS leaving the bathroom without washing their hands. It just made me sick. Once was at the restroom at Chef Mickeys. A whole family went in, used the restroom and while we were washing, they walked right out and headed back to their table. Three kids and a mother. Insane.

 

[ZeroToHero]

This is what I was thinking. Remember the first time you ever encountered a sink with a motion sensor? I just stood there staring wondering how in the heck do I turn it on? I'm not at all saying there was an acceptable reason for this to happen considering there was no line, but it is a thought.

A little OT, I noticed some of the rudest people didn't speak English. I'm not at all saying that if you don't speak English, you are rude...but the ones who made me think- excuse me? That was rude! Turns out, they didn't speak any English. I noticed this the most during the parades. They would literally shove their way to the front without a second thought. Definitely cultural differences!

That's how some cultures work - they don't make lines. You want something, whoever can get up there gets it. Ever tried to get a train ticket in some countries? Long limbs come in handy.

We are looking at this situation through an American viewpoint. You really have to step out of yourself and look back at the situation.



If you go to France, you will see dogs sitting on barstools, with their own cups of water. You will see people eating frog's legs.

In other countries, people eat live monkeys' brains. Yes. Still happens today. It is a delicacy.

And yes, there are toilets that are holes in the ground. And I'd prefer those a lot more than having to wipe up after women who hover over toilets, miss, and then don't clean up after themselves.

Also, did you know toilet paper hasn't been around that long? Only reason it was produced is because some people said "oh man, we can make a lot of money off of this."

Before that, people used the Sears-Roebuck catalog, sponges, and corn cobs.

Yep. The whole family used a sponge on a stick.


And you know what? I have to admit, I would have been a little weirded out if I was the OP, but that's because I'm in this mindset of American values & norms. I don't think I would have gotten this upset about it though. I would have been more upset by the woman baring her kid for all to see to pee in a bush than the sink story. Bathrooms in general are germy. But hospitals have more germs than bathrooms.

 

[cnorth]

I agree. I understand being wierded out, but not really upset. Especially since they are obviously from another country. I KNOW that bathrooms are full of germs. Anytime you touch ANYTHING in the bathroom, including the door handle, you get germs. Wash you hands, dry them, and then use the paper towels to touch anything else (sink faucet, door handle, etc.) Otherwise you just reinfect yourself. While it is kinda gross, I seriously doubt it increased the germ count much more than it already was.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I just wanted to add - someone asked if you'd use the hole in the ground, I wouldn't. LOL. Not unless it was an emergency. Not because I think it's gross though - but because I just CAN'T. Using those is like going potty outside while camping or whatever. I have never been able to get my clothes out of the way enough not to pee on them so I have to strip from the waist down!!

 

[Mrsjvb]

Like this one?

For all you American potty fans ... guess where that potty is from?

1 ... 2 ... 3

Disneyland Tokyo.

ETA: If you're not used to it using one of those potties can be difficult. It can be hard to aim properly.

ahh memories.. My problem is the actual squatting.. I literally CANNOT( no hips or knees to speak of) get into the necessary position to attempt this. Should be fun when I move to Okinawa next year....

Useless trivia/factoid: when you find these at Shrine sales.. you buy them and turn them into planters..( or if you are a particular Admiral's wife with a sense of humor, a grave site for 6 dearly departed koi that were killed when the pond was accidentally drained by the gardener.)

second useless factoid: it is big business to do your advertising on those travel packs of Kleenex.. only They use it for TP. gets handed out at pretty much every entrance to every train station in the country. I had quite the collection when we moved back the last time.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Just to play devil's advocate here ...

1. American public restrooms have stalls. One doesn't normally see a stranger actually USE a toilet in a public restroom, so if you had never seen one, how would you know how it was to be used? (Unlike Japanese toilets, ours almost never have helpful little diagrams with stick figures on them.)

Or Engrish instructions....


I also have to chime in a smidge on the whole auto sensor thing.. last week, maybe a third of the times I actually used a restroom the sensor thingy actually worked.. the rest of the time I had to manually push that teeny button to get it to flush.. in fact more than once I had to flush before I went because the last occupant left a present( and FTR, knowing that these sensors weren't functioning properly I was not grossed out.. not everyone sticks around to see if things get flushed).

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I understand why some people are grossed out about the kid peeing in the sink, but I don't understand the shock and disgust with squat toilets. Think about it - with squat toilets, just people's feet are touching anything in a bathroom. People who are used to that might be pretty grossed out with our convention of *sitting* on a toilet - sitting on the same surface where someone else's bare bottom was just moments before. (Horrors! )

Just wanted to say that in China when we went there was squat toilets too and people do think toilet seats are disgusting there.

 

[mechteach]

second useless factoid: it is big business to do your advertising on those travel packs of Kleenex.. only They use it for TP. gets handed out at pretty much every entrance to every train station in the country. I had quite the collection when we moved back the last time.

Oh yes - I remember these! I think I still have a few rattling around in the back of a drawer somewhere. They are great.

I just wanted to add - someone asked if you'd use the hole in the ground, I wouldn't. LOL. Not unless it was an emergency.

Not to go too far OT, but I luckily haven't had any problems with the variety of bathroom configurations I've encountered over the years. I was somewhat fazed by one instance, though - I walked into the women's room, and there was just a big rock in the middle of a dirt floor. I did have to think about that one for a few moments....

 

[robinb]

Just wanted to say that in China when we went there was squat toilets too and people do think toilet seats are disgusting there.

I was only in Bejing and there were (mostly) Western toilets. BUT ... you didn't flush your TP. You put it in a wastebasket. If you even had TP. Sometimes an attendant would give you a square or two on your way in, or you didn't get any at all. We carried mini packs of kleenex from home and I forgot it our first day when we visited Tienanmen Square. I didn't forget it again!

Not to go too far OT, but I luckily haven't had any problems with the variety of bathroom configurations I've encountered over the years. I was somewhat fazed by one instance, though - I walked into the women's room, and there was just a big rock in the middle of a dirt floor. I did have to think about that one for a few moments....

Hmmm ... I'm still trying to figure that out. Do you move the rock or stand on it?

 

[bdiddy]

What if this situation were reversed?

What if I was in a foreign country and either didn't know how their restrooms worked or didn't want to do it so I relieved myself in something that their culture washes themselves in?

I can't even imagine what would those people would be saying and thinking about me! I could see myself getting stoned for peeing in their wash pot!

And more importantly - Would you be as forgiving to me? Or would you just chalk it up to me being one of those "self-riteous, stupid Americans"

Just curious if those would be as quick to defend me as they are this woman....

 

[ZeroToHero]

What if this situation were reversed?

What if I was in a foreign country and either didn't know how their restrooms worked or didn't want to do it so I relieved myself in something that their culture washes themselves in?

I can't even imagine what would those people would be saying and thinking about me! I could see myself getting stoned for peeing in their wash pot!

And more importantly - Would you be as forgiving to me? Or would you just chalk it up to me being one of those "self-riteous, stupid Americans"

Just curious if those would be as quick to defend me as they are this woman....

I can see people getting very angry at you for saying that you're going to get stoned, thus connotating a less advanced culture.

Also, I thought you said you would read up on the culture before you went, so it shouldn't be a problem for you, right?

 

[kevschickee]

I can see people getting very angry at you for saying that you're going to get stoned, thus connotating a less advanced culture.
Also, I thought you said you would read up on the culture before you went, so it shouldn't be a problem for you, right?

Some cultures do stone people as a punishment (not for going to the bathroom wrong but for other things) they also cane people, put women to death for adultry and for being raped. So she isn't that far off.

 

[bdiddy]

I can see people getting very angry at you for saying that you're going to get stoned, thus connotating a less advanced culture.

Also, I thought you said you would read up on the culture before you went, so it shouldn't be a problem for you, right?

Nice way to not answer my questions....

 

[downsouth]

What if this situation were reversed?

What if I was in a foreign country and either didn't know how their restrooms worked or didn't want to do it so I relieved myself in something that their culture washes themselves in?

I can't even imagine what would those people would be saying and thinking about me! I could see myself getting stoned for peeing in their wash pot!

And more importantly - Would you be as forgiving to me? Or would you just chalk it up to me being one of those "self-riteous, stupid Americans"

Just curious if those would be as quick to defend me as they are this woman....

The quick answer is no! We don't pee in the sinks in America and ask you don't either. PS - I don't care what you do wherever your from! If it is acceptable in your county I'll gladly drop chow and spray in your sink, but not here