As many of you already know, Asians possess the valuable skill of ’squatting.’ You may be thinking, “I can squat too, and I’m not Asian!” But, there is a big difference between the “Asian Squat” and the “Western Squat.”
Normally, this is just one of those interesting cultural differences that tourists and Western expats like me notice and talk about. However, due to decisions made by those who have designed and built the venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it’s looking like it’s going to be a real issue for the tens of thousands of non-Chinese who are going to show up in August with no experience using a “squatty.”
Beijing is expecting about 500,000 foreigners to attend the Aug. 8-24 games.
At the more than 30 test events held by organizers, the presence of squat toilets at many of the new and renovated venues has drawn frequent complaints.
“Most of the Chinese people are used to the squat toilet, but nowadays more and more people demand sit-down toilets,” Yao said. “However, it will take some time for this transition.”
Beijing is reported to be spending at least $40 billion on the venues and related infrastructure, all designed to feature a modern country that has grown in three decades to a political and economic powerhouse.
Having experienced the reactions of dozens of Western tourists who come to China and encounter a ’squatty potty’ for the very first time, I think the designers of the Beijing Olympic venues have made a serious miscalculation, based on cultural ignorance, by ommitting ‘western toilets’ in the bathrooms of these multi-million dollar venues! The stories that will result will be interesting…
Hi! I'm Steve Webel and this is my blog. Thanks for stopping by!
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Oh no! Really? Squatties only? Don’t they realize only the wealthiest people in the world can afford to go to the Olympics and it is most likely that they will not have the physical abiity to use a squatty? It was hard for me when I was in China and I was young and healthy at the time… imagine some old, fat guy who is used to an extra tall seat trying to use a squatty! Sheesh!
The news stories seem to indicate that the areas for journalists and other VIP types will get ‘Western’ style toilets… So if you buy an expensive enough of a ticket, maybe you’ll be okay!
Ok, Steve,
For those of us who have never been to Asia….what is a “sqatty”? I have a general idea from the name but why is this such a big deal?
Ask Michael, he can educate you… he probably even has some pictures!
Basically it’s a toilet that is level with the ground - nothing to sit on - so you have to squat.
Virginia, they aren’t horrible, when you get used to them. But they do tend to smell more than a Western toilet, and it is harder to keep them clean. The problem is for a first-time squatty potty user. While I was in China, I actually had a foreign guest with me who walked into the bathroom, and back out again to ask me how to use it. There will be more of that happening!
That is hilarious! I think they have ones similar to that in Europe actually. I was in a trin station restroom that had no seat, just a hole in the floor that looked like the floor of a shower and two “raised” places to put your feet! I bet it is something like that. This really could be a problem for westerners…I whish I could be a fly on the wall just to see thier expressions!
Come on China! You guys are smart enough to invent things like paper and gunpowder. Do a little homework about other cultures before you host the entire world!
The athletes will probably try to stay in China for as short a period as possible, popping in and out from their training venues in Japan or Korea. Will these people be able to “acclimatize” in such a short time ? May be they will need to stay in 5 star hotels instead of the Olympic village, since they probably want to bring their own food as well.
The athletes are going to have good accommodations. I have no doubt that the Olympic Village will be nicely outfitted. The food for them has also been widely discussed and it seems there will be a great deal of attention given to that as well.
No, the folks who are gonna culture shock at the Olympics are not the Athletes, the Journalist, nor the VIP’s. It will be the regular Joe Western tourist…
I’ve been that tourist… it took a bit of getting used to. At least they Olympic visitors will get a to experience authentic Chinese life.