Comments on: Skiing and the Art of Chinese Toiletry http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/ Urban Sociology and Urbanism, in China and North America Fri, 04 May 2012 09:48:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jay http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-24313 Jay Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:58:27 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-24313 I don't know if someone said this already (didn't read all the comments) but I heard something about native Chinese people view sit-down toilets as unsanitary because we all put our rears on the same bowl. Anyway, I'll be heading to Wenzhou City this August/September. My first time in another country... I know a little Mandarin, but this will be a VERY interesting chapter in my life. I love your blog though, entertaining and informative. It calms my nerves a bit. But, I must admit when I read the "Haa-low!" thing, I got a little nervous that I would encounter some restless/racist natives and have a hard time... but the other blogs just gave me a good laugh. I don’t know if someone said this already (didn’t read all the comments) but I heard something about native Chinese people view sit-down toilets as unsanitary because we all put our rears on the same bowl.

Anyway, I’ll be heading to Wenzhou City this August/September. My first time in another country… I know a little Mandarin, but this will be a VERY interesting chapter in my life. I love your blog though, entertaining and informative. It calms my nerves a bit.

But, I must admit when I read the “Haa-low!” thing, I got a little nervous that I would encounter some restless/racist natives and have a hard time… but the other blogs just gave me a good laugh.

]]> By: johnson http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-14857 johnson Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:26:38 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-14857 Sorry to be pedantic... But these squat toilets are definitely not restricted to being used in china only. I've always known them as "turkish toilets". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_toilet) One more pick (i am on a roll with this) with your title - Chinese Toiletry would imply chinese toothbrushes and shampoos, not toilets. Okay i am done. I've enjoyed your blog tremendously! cheers. Sorry to be pedantic… But these squat toilets are definitely not restricted to being used in china only. I’ve always known them as “turkish toilets”. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_toilet)

One more pick (i am on a roll with this) with your title – Chinese Toiletry would imply chinese toothbrushes and shampoos, not toilets.

Okay i am done. I’ve enjoyed your blog tremendously! cheers.

]]> By: Jet So http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-14407 Jet So Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:53:45 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-14407 Squat toilets are used throughout the Far East - not just China. I've only have two words on "nature's call" in the Orient: 冲啊！ Squat toilets are used throughout the Far East – not just China. I’ve only have two words on “nature’s call” in the Orient: 冲啊！

]]> By: Sherry http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-14258 Sherry Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:31:18 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-14258 Hey, Laugh out loud, thanks for keeping me amused & amazed. I don't have the vaguest idea of this cultural discrepancy that might possibly occur in the toiletary habits untile having perusing your article, well, what should I say, Bravo!!! Keep an eye on daily "trivial" stuff, then you would be handsomely rewarded, it is your motto, isn't it? Odd yet fancy. Sherry Hey,

Laugh out loud, thanks for keeping me amused & amazed.

I don’t have the vaguest idea of this cultural discrepancy that might possibly occur in the toiletary habits untile having perusing your article, well, what should I say, Bravo!!!

Keep an eye on daily “trivial” stuff, then you would be handsomely rewarded, it is your motto, isn’t it?

Odd yet fancy.

Sherry

]]> By: Paul http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-13054 Paul Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:44:05 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-13054 I have noticed that as well. But hey, I can even squat on a banister while reading the papers. How's that for a balancing act? I have noticed that as well. But hey, I can even squat on a banister while reading the papers. How’s that for a balancing act?

]]> By: Anqi Dai http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-13004 Anqi Dai Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:45:17 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-13004 Ben, It is always fun to read your articles. Maybe you can put together a book about your experience in China someday. Always looking forward to reading the next one! Anqi Dai from Kansas City ,Missouri Ben,
It is always fun to read your articles.
Maybe you can put together a book about your experience in China someday.
Always looking forward to reading the next one!
Anqi Dai from Kansas City ,Missouri

]]> By: Jessica http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-12920 Jessica Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:42:14 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-12920 Hello! i'm actually writing my senior thesis about Fujianese migration, and found your blog to be particularly insightful (although I don't know if I could cite you.........) Anyway, I tried to send you an email at the yahoo address, but it bounced back. I would love very much to be able to talk to you about Fujianese migration (not toilets) -- this summer I went to my father's ancestral village in a village in Fuqing and we learned that all the able-bodied migrants had upped and left for such destinations as Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria, and Argentina. Instead of working in restaurants, they all became shop owners. So I guess if you go to a less prestigious country, then you can get a more prestigious job. SAVVY!!!! Anyway, I'll let you know more, if you're interested ---- please email me! Jess Hello! i’m actually writing my senior thesis about Fujianese migration, and found your blog to be particularly insightful (although I don’t know if I could cite you………) Anyway, I tried to send you an email at the yahoo address, but it bounced back. I would love very much to be able to talk to you about Fujianese migration (not toilets) — this summer I went to my father’s ancestral village in a village in Fuqing and we learned that all the able-bodied migrants had upped and left for such destinations as Lesotho, South Africa, Nigeria, and Argentina. Instead of working in restaurants, they all became shop owners. So I guess if you go to a less prestigious country, then you can get a more prestigious job. SAVVY!!!! Anyway, I’ll let you know more, if you’re interested —- please email me!

Jess

]]> By: Neddy http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-12797 Neddy Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:51:13 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-12797 "...since it was Westerners who first began molding their porcelain goddesses in the image of a chair." is the bit I find intriguing! I suspect the "throne" idea of toilet is not exactly the fruit of modern West - I have seen its crude ancestors in some medieval castles around Europe. What we need here is a qualified sh*thouse historian to tell us more! “…since it was Westerners who first began molding their porcelain goddesses in the image of a chair.” is the bit I find intriguing! I suspect the “throne” idea of toilet is not exactly the fruit of modern West – I have seen its crude ancestors in some medieval castles around Europe. What we need here is a qualified sh*thouse historian to tell us more!

]]> By: michael http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-12619 michael Sun, 03 Feb 2008 05:09:16 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-12619 Like you, I have recently noticed that after 3 years in China I've become a squat toilet squatting champion. During my recent month-long gig in Qinghai, the toilet was the only place where I had a little privacy and some time to think. The food there also gave me the shits... so I noticed that I'd be sometimes squatting over the latrine for 15, 20 minutes with no real pain at all. Now I've got to figure out some similar exercise for my lower back, and I'll be skiing in no time. Like you, I have recently noticed that after 3 years in China I’ve become a squat toilet squatting champion. During my recent month-long gig in Qinghai, the toilet was the only place where I had a little privacy and some time to think. The food there also gave me the shits… so I noticed that I’d be sometimes squatting over the latrine for 15, 20 minutes with no real pain at all.

Now I’ve got to figure out some similar exercise for my lower back, and I’ll be skiing in no time.

]]> By: RedKemp http://benross.net/wordpress/skiing-and-the-art-of-chinese-toiletry/2008/01/31/comment-page-1/#comment-12596 RedKemp Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:09:43 +0000 http://www.benross.net/wordpress/?p=155#comment-12596 As I have said before, I much prefer the squat toilet in the public restroom setting. I do not like to place my ass where hundreds of other strangers have placed theirs. At home the the nice relaxing Western toilet is perfect, but when I'm on the go, I would rather use a squat toilet. Maybe I will start a letter writing campaign in the states... As I have said before, I much prefer the squat toilet in the public restroom setting. I do not like to place my ass where hundreds of other strangers have placed theirs. At home the the nice relaxing Western toilet is perfect, but when I’m on the go, I would rather use a squat toilet. Maybe I will start a letter writing campaign in the states…

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