Squat toilet
A squat toilet is a toilet used by squatting, rather than sitting. There are several types of squat toilets, but they all consist essentially of a toilet pan or bowl at floor level. Such a toilet pan is also called a "squatting pan". The only exception is a "pedestal" squat toilet, which is of the same height as a sitting toilet. The user of a sitting toilet can also squat, but this requires extra care as such toilets are not designed for squatting.
A squat toilet may use a water seal and therefore be a flush toilet, or it can be without a water seal and therefore be a dry toilet. The term "squat" refers only to the expected defecation posture and not any other aspects of toilet technology, such as whether it is water flushed or not.
Squat toilets are used all over the world, but are particularly common in many Asian and African countries, as well as Southern European Countries. In many of those countries, anal cleansing with water is also the cultural norm and easier to perform than with toilets used in a sitting position.
Terminology
Squat toilets are also referred to as "Asian toilets", "Indian toilets" or "Turkish toilets" by people in Western Europe because they can be found in those countries. In Japan, squat toilets are referred to as "Japanese-style toilets". Conversely, sitting toilets are often referred to as "western-style toilets". They are called "French toilets" in some parts of the Middle East.Design
Squat toilets are arranged at floor level, which requires the individual to squat with bent knees. In contrast to a pedestal or a sitting toilet, the opening of the drain pipe is located at the ground level.Squatting slabs can be made of porcelain, stainless steel, fibreglass, or in the case of low-cost versions in developing countries, with concrete, ferrocement, plastic, or wood covered with linoleum. Slabs can also be made of wood, but need to be treated with preservatives, such as paint or linoleum, to prevent rotting and to enable thorough cleaning of the squatting slab.
There are two design variations: one where the toilet is level with the ground, and the other where it is raised on a platform approximately 30 cm. The latter is easier to use for men to urinate while standing, but both types can be used for this purpose. There is also no difference for defecation or squatting urination.
Use
The user stands over the squat toilet facing the hood and pulls down their trousers and underwear to the knees. The user then squats over the hole, as close to the front as possible, as excrement tends to fall onto the rear edge of the in-floor receptacle if the user squats too far back; for this reason many public squat toilets have signs reminding the user to "Please take one step closer."Beginners and foreigners often hold onto the piping at the front, which therefore has earned the nickname "grunt bar", from the sounds made while holding onto this pipe.
Maintenance and hygiene
The standing surface of the squatting pan should be kept clean and dry in order to prevent disease transmission and to limit odors.Squat toilets are usually easier to clean than sitting toilets, except that one has to bend down further if the squatting pan needs manual scrubbing. They can be cleaned by using a mop and hose, together with the rest of the floor space in the toilet room or cubicle.
One advantage of squat toilets is that they are very easy to clean. They are also cheaper to make, they consume less water per flush than Western toilets, and, due to the lack of direct contact with the seat, some people claim that they are more hygienic. However, seat contact is not a real health risk, and squat toilets allow splatter on one's own legs and feet. The waterless trough minimizes the risk of splash-back of water during defecation.
Society and culture
Perceptions and trends
There are two different attitudes towards squat toilets, largely dependent on what users are used to, or whether the toilet is at a public or private place:Some people regard squat toilets as more hygienic compared to sitting toilets. They might be easier to clean and there is no skin contact with the surface of the toilet seat. For that reason, some people perceive them as more hygienic, particularly for public toilets.
Some people regard sitting toilets as "more modern" than squat toilets. Sitting toilets have a lower risk of soiling clothing or shoes, as urine is less likely to splash on bottom parts of trousers or shoes. Furthermore, sitting toilets are more convenient for people with disabilities and the elderly.
A trend towards more sitting toilets in countries that were traditionally using squat toilets can be observed in some urban and more affluent areas, in areas with new buildings or in tourist regions.
Public toilets
Squat toilets are used in public toilets, rather than household toilets, because they are perceived by some as easier to clean and more hygienic, therefore potentially more appropriate for general public use. For instance, this is the case in parts of France, Italy, Greece, or the Balkans, where such toilets are somewhat common in public toilets.Preferences by country or region
The following general statements can be made:- Squat toilets are common in many Asian countries, including Japan and Thailand. They are also widespread in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar and Iran. They can still be found in developed nations like Singapore and Taiwan.
- People in sub-Saharan African countries, especially in rural areas, widely use squat toilets, for example in Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- Much of the world's population use squat toilets, especially in rural areas of developing countries.
- Countries in the Middle East and North Africa often have both types of toilets, i.e. sitting and squatting.
- In Muslim or Hindu cultures, the prevalence of squat toilets is generally quite high, as is the practice of anal cleansing with water.
- In Latin and South America, flush toilets are always of the sitting type, whereas dry toilets may be either of the sitting or a squatting type. The occurrence of squat toilets in urban areas of Latin America appears to be rather low.
- Squat toilets are rare in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada and countries in Northern and Western Europe. Where they do exist, they have usually been installed to accommodate visitors, tourists, students or recent migrants from Asia. These cases are still so rare that newspapers report about them: Examples include cases from the University of Melbourne, the University of Auckland and national parks in the United States such as Yellowstone National Park and Arches National Park.
Europe
Squat toilets are generally non-existent in Northern and Western Europe. France and Italy are an exception and have some squat toilets remaining in old buildings and public toilets because they used to be the norm there in the early 20th century.
China
Many areas in China have traditional squat toilets instead of sitting toilets, especially in public toilets. Nevertheless, sitting toilets have increasingly become the norm in major urban areas and cities. Sitting toilets are on the one hand associated with development and modernization, and on the other hand with reduced hygiene and possible transmission of diseases.Japan
The trend in Japan is to move away from squat toilets: According to Toto, one of Japan's major toilet manufacturers, the production of Western-style toilets increased rapidly since 1976. In 2015, only 1% of all toilets produced by this company were squat toilets.Since the 1960s the trend has been to replace squat toilets at schools and public places with sitting toilets. This trend is thought to accelerate in the run-up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Since the 1980s, high-tech sitting toilets are emerging that replace traditional squat toilets, especially in urban areas. One of those toilets with the brand name "Washlet" includes a "posterior wash" before wiping and features heated toilet seats. However, many rural people have no experience with such high-tech toilets and need detailed instructions.