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french crouching toilets

53 replies

orangeshoebox · 10/08/2019 12:14

just wondering as in a brico (don't ask) in france and they sell those toilets...

do private households have those sometimes?

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 10/08/2019 18:58

First encountered them in the Middle East, then Asia. They are fine if you’re not wearing tight jeans.

fruitpastille · 10/08/2019 19:00

Top tip at the aires - usually the disabled toilet has an ordinary loo if the others are crouching ones.

RedTideBlues · 10/08/2019 20:57

Used one in France that had a big thick piece of rope nailed to the door that you could hang on to.

orangeshoebox · 10/08/2019 21:21

I was just amazed that you
could buy such a thing in a diy store.
and that they were a lot more expensive than a cheap standard bog.

OP posts:
dudsville · 10/08/2019 21:28

I've only encountered public use ones when travelling, so never going to be the cleanest. I like the angle, and I love the hose pipe, very refreshing, but yes a bar needs to be provided to help me back up!

dudsville · 10/08/2019 21:29

The queef, what's your step like?

SkelterHelter · 10/08/2019 21:31

We live in France and I've never seen one!

orangeshoebox · 10/08/2019 21:33

@TheQueef is it a stool

OP posts:
JanewaysBun · 10/08/2019 21:35

Fine for a wee but however do you get your poo in the tiny hole? Think my aim is bad Blush

TheQueef · 10/08/2019 21:37

Looks like a toddler step Duds but it's to put your feet up during.
Got it from Amazon, happy poo or summat Grin

Wiltshirelass2019 · 10/08/2019 21:39

Just a tip, don’t use them whilst drunk. Oh the horror

Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 10/08/2019 21:40

They’re known in our house as a squatty potty.

Violetparis · 10/08/2019 21:43

I don't understand either why in France there is quite often only one horrible toilet for the whole of a bar or restaurant.

museumum · 10/08/2019 21:43

Worst is when they’re in ski resorts. Ski boots and salopettes make it a whole new challenge!!!

Helenluvsrob · 10/08/2019 21:46

I like a squat toilet in a service station especially the aires with no other services - they are quieter - you can actually park even in high summer. Because you don’t need to get anywhere near the actual toilet it they aren’t that clean it’s not a horrific thing.

I was somewhat shocked when I 1st met them in France ages 11, but when I met them in India travelling as a student again I was pleased. Not so pleased by the filthy “ English style with ears “ toilets in Indian “ service stations “. You wouldn’t want to sit on them and standing and squatting as the locals do was bloody precarious to say the least

taybert · 10/08/2019 21:47

The public toilet in the town where we stay in France has one. It also has about a 15cm gap under the door. It’s not pretty.

KindergartenKop · 10/08/2019 21:52

I once used a squat loo in a mosque in Woking.

dudsville · 10/08/2019 21:54

Thanks queen, have ordered one!

Baguetteaboutit · 10/08/2019 21:59

You have to have thighs of steel if a week of eating holiday food begins to slow things down a bit.

cortex10 · 10/08/2019 21:59

DS tells me they have them at his uni in London

itssquidstella · 10/08/2019 22:04

I hate them because no matter how deeply I squat, I always end up pissing on my bum cheeks. It's the same if I have to wee al fresco when hiking - must be a quirk of anatomy, but I'm incapable of just weeing straight down, it always wants to run over my bum and thighs :(

Haworthia · 10/08/2019 22:09

Although it’s true it’s healthier to squat, I’d much prefer a squatty potty to actual squatting!

I can’t squat with my feet flat on the floor either - how do you balance? Apparently that’s common in Westerners whereas Asians (who customarily squat) don’t have tight tendons. It’s known as the Asian squat, apparently!

BillThePony · 11/08/2019 14:53

The only bad experience I have had with one was on a mountain in full ski gear.

It was a challenge.

orangeshoebox · 11/08/2019 16:02

hiking in the french alpes - so now after a week of going up and down have thighs of steel Grin
and now that I have discovered that I used it the wrong way round before - no more wet shoes Wink

OP posts:
LaMainDeFatima · 11/08/2019 16:21

The wrong way round ?? What were you doing ?