SteveWebel [dot] Com

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…