Surely this sign is unnecessary - Indonesia

For work, I travel quite regularly to Singapore. You will find similar signs in almost every public loo, alongside signs threatening you with a fine if you don’t flush. Most of the larger public loo facilities there often offer a choice of toilets. Similar signs can be seen across Asia.

In addition, in the Netherlands you will find a variation of these signs showing you which way to sit; Dutch loos are different.

Some cultures are taught it is wrong to sit, do they will try all sorts of acrobatics to squat.

To conclude though, if there is a sign telling you not to do something, it’s because someone has done it.

I lived in SE Asia for 10 years and these signs ae everywhere, for the reasons already mentioned

@PurpleChrayn because someone may well be getting very happy off the back of your story. Hairy hands and all that.

There’s a surprising range of pet subjects that people post about for wank fodder.

Because there are 'poo trolls' who get off on eliciting poo based stories from people.

Say what you want of course, but as you do bear in mind you might becoming a character in someone's wank fodder.

Why should we be careful?

If I want to share the tale of my cleaning job at à university where I caught a student squatting to shit IN A SINK, then I will do.

Im more intrigued by the colour chart. Is this a common thing? I've not ever seen that in hotel bathrooms.

I've seen this sign on loos in NZ, so yes, it probably is necessary.

Ok so you know better then. Is this what you’re saying?

People will still try to use it, even if you don’t think they’d be able to.

Have also seen signs in toilets in London telling people not to wash their feet in the hand basins (I would love to be fit enough to get my feet up that high)

My university puts up signs like this every summer when we host summer schools for students from Asia. Otherwise many of them are so used to squatting toilets that they would squat on the seat (and yes it would break - that is why you need a sign or you spend loads of money repairing damage).

If you have been brought up with squatting toilets you don’t think “oh this seat obviously can’t take squatting so maybe I’ll try a completely different way of using a toilet like sitting on it”, you probably think “well this is a pretty weird design of toilet, but hey ho, I’ll just take care to balance well”.

It would probably only occur to you that sitting was an option if you had had a lot of contact with Westeners or travelled. Just like you are incredulous that anyone would consider squatting, they would be incredulous about doing something else.

I've seen this type of sign before too, never really given it much thought tbh.

Clearly some people don't know the difference between a 'normal' seat and squat loos otherwise they wouldn't need the sign. And it must be because squatting on the seat would crack it/break it that they're having to address the issue. Pretty grim really!

People in my office I think, the kind of organisation where you think people would know how to use the facilities without having a sign.

I’ve seen this in lots of countries, also the worn sections on the loo seats where people have put their feet when squatting on them.

It’s very common- people do it. You can make sure people know how to use a western toilet, but they will do what they want to do, what they have always done, what they prefer to do.

PS recommend people are careful about what hilarious tales they share here!

You know the difference because you are western and you are used to western toilets. Lots of people who have been brought up with squat toilets would not knkw the difference no and would think they squat still. The sign helps this not to happen but agree with a PP some people view western toilets as unhygienic and will still squat.

surely you can appreciate other people have a different background and knowledge of western culture than you? Not sure why you keep insisting it’s not needed, it’s very common in Asia and parts of Australia where there’s high levels of immigration from Asia

Yes people from certain cultures need to be told and yes it’s a common sign.

To be fair if you’ve always squatted to poo (which is a recommendation nowadays if you are constipated) then suddenly sitting flat could be quite difficult - just cos it’s what the west does doesn’t mean it’s the best idea.

I have seen this sign in many places in both Asia and Europe.

Also it’s just a sign. You already follow the rules so it’s not for you. You may be glad that it’s there to inform others.

You are obviously not somebody who has ever had the job of cleaning hotel or public lavatories. If you were, you'd know the sign is essential and your question superfluous. Why do you think they've gone to the effort and expense of making unnecessary signage?

Yes, that's why they need the signs. Because people will stand on the seats anyway and break them, or injure themselves. Plus it's just not hygienic.

I was in Malaysia recently and signs were everywhere. Also in our men’s office toilets in London I believe…..

I was in Thailand earlier this year and you see this sign everywhere. I think it is due to them having squat toilets in lots of places.

(Where I live, these signs are incredibly common and you'll find them in almost all bathrooms that have western-style toilets. I still went into a Starbucks bathroom and found dusty footprints on the seat though!).