jc

Toilets are used differently here than in the States and even many other countries where sqatting is common.

Not all toilets lack a toilet seat, but many do, even in public areas like malls. If you want toilet paper in the mall, you pay for it from a vending machine.

Basically, you squat on the toilet bowl. You clean off by using a bucket (called “tabo” here) with a handle (in the photo, the green bucket inside the giant blue barrel). Pour the water on your butt and wipe with your other hand. Wash your hands after you’re done, of course. More detailed instructions here.

Many toilets don’t have a mechanical flusher on them, so you use the tabo or sometimes a larger bucket in order to flush them by pouring the water manually.

Squatting isn’t new to me.. I do this in the States. The no-toilet-paper thing is strange to me though and doesn’t yet feel comfortable, despite objectively seeming like a much cleaner method.