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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if squatting on the toilet to do your business is really a thing?

183 replies

AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:03

I visited a suppliers office for work (a major British company with a swank Central London head office). I used one of the loos in the lobby (there was 3 unisex loos, each with their own separate door and sink inside completely separate from the next).

On the back of the door was a sign showing a person squatting with their feet on the seat and a line drawn through it to indicate no squatting. Like this was a common problem they were dealing with? Do people actually squat with both feet on the seat to do their business on a western style toilet?! I know squatting toilets are common in parts of Asia, but they are on the ground. If I tried to squat on a western toilet I would no doubt fall in and break my ankle Confused

This brought my thoughts back to about 15 years ago when I dated an Asian guy. We went to his mums house to visit her and his sister. His dad was away on business so it was just the mum and sister at home. I went to use the toilet and the seat was up which I thought was a bit weird since there were no men in the house. Anyway, I put it down, did my business and came back and we visited and ate lunch. I went back to the loo again before we left and the seat was up again. My boyfriend at the time hadn't been to the toilet the entire time we were there. So why was the seat up again??

I didn't have the confidence to ask him, but the first scenario about the signs in the office loos got me thinking about this situation as well.

OP posts:
araiwa · 23/12/2022 01:05

Many places in the world have squat toilets. It's quite possible that faced with a western toilet for the first time someone might squat on it

AlmostAJillSandwich · 23/12/2022 01:06

Yes, unfortunately they do, and a sign isn't going to stop them.

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:08

Eastern Euros.........

Doggydarling · 23/12/2022 01:10

I seen these signs a few months back in the toilets of a castle/gardens in Ireland, its a lovely place with plenty of tourists so I imagine the pictures are aimed at them, when I mentioned it to DH he said he's seen the same in a few of the large tech companies here that would have thousands of employees many who would be from other countries. Can't imagine how flexible you'd need to be to climb onto and then squat on a normal toilet

Original poster
AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:10

araiwa · 23/12/2022 01:05

Many places in the world have squat toilets. It's quite possible that faced with a western toilet for the first time someone might squat on it

Yes, while I do get that it's possible it still makes me wonder how this could be such a wide spread issue that it warranted a sign in the loos of a major well known corporate head office with at least 1000 employees. It's highly unlikely that anyone using it would be faced with a Western toilet for the first time. I mean, even if they arrived on business from another country, they certainly will have used a western toilet at some point in their journey prior to using one in an office in London Confused

OP posts:
Rainbowshit · 23/12/2022 01:11

Yes. It's a common problem at my DH's work.

Original poster
AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:11

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:08

Eastern Euros.........

Really???

OP posts:
scrivette · 23/12/2022 01:12

My friend once told me that at her place of work many years ago they had to put up signs as people were breaking the toilet seats by squatting.

I sometimes get little DC to squat but only at home, as he suffers from constipation and it does seem to work. (I hold him so he doesn't fall in).

Original poster
AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:12

Doggydarling · 23/12/2022 01:10

I seen these signs a few months back in the toilets of a castle/gardens in Ireland, its a lovely place with plenty of tourists so I imagine the pictures are aimed at them, when I mentioned it to DH he said he's seen the same in a few of the large tech companies here that would have thousands of employees many who would be from other countries. Can't imagine how flexible you'd need to be to climb onto and then squat on a normal toilet

I have only ever seen this (the sign) once. I had no idea this was a common thing (hence the post).

I mean, I kind of have to sit back in amazement when I think about it because there is no way I'd be limber enough to do that and I'm not big or unfit. Just clumsy 😂

OP posts:
Shadope · 23/12/2022 01:13

It’s a much more natural position to assume and makes pooing easier. I mean I’ve never done it but it’s not some kind of backwards thing

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:16

Shadope · 23/12/2022 01:13

It’s a much more natural position to assume and makes pooing easier. I mean I’ve never done it but it’s not some kind of backwards thing

If you've never done it, how do you know?

Original poster
AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:17

Shadope · 23/12/2022 01:13

It’s a much more natural position to assume and makes pooing easier. I mean I’ve never done it but it’s not some kind of backwards thing

I'm aware of the 'squatty potty' and I do know it's meant to be a better position to do your business in. I just never expected anyone to actually stand on a raised toilet to do this. Like I said. I'm baffled, yet impressed. You learn something new every day lol.

Although I don't like the thought of someone's dirty street shoes standing on the seat Confused

OP posts:
Bagsundermyeyestoday · 23/12/2022 01:17

Yeah it's actually much better for your body to squat (heard of squatty potty?). I think also people who do this find it gross to sit on a public toilet (I squat over it to pee which I thought everyone did so not aure why they just dont do that, unless maybe they're not peeing). I have no idea how they keep their balance! I guess it must be common if signs are needed (I think like PP said it can lead to the toilet seat breaking).

Saz12 · 23/12/2022 01:18

I’d prefer shoes on seat than naked bums!

Floydthebarber · 23/12/2022 01:18

There are squat toilets in Sardinia, it's not an Asian or Eastern European thing. I think the issue is it can break the toilet seat as they are not designed for the weight. I suppose if you can already stay in a squatting position you can do it off the ground. It uses muscles I don't seem to have!

ThisSolstice · 23/12/2022 01:18

The signs were renewed annually at the last university I worked at in time for the summer influx of overseas students who came early to get their IELTS in order to then start a degree course in the autumn.

Original poster
AmazonPrim · 23/12/2022 01:21

Saz12 · 23/12/2022 01:18

I’d prefer shoes on seat than naked bums!

A naked bum cheek is much cleaner than a dirty street shoe that will have traipsed through a medially of filth and potential feces such as dog poo

OP posts:
Judgyjudgy · 23/12/2022 01:22

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:16

If you've never done it, how do you know?

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It's called science Hmm

Saz12 · 23/12/2022 01:24

@AmazonPrim I totally agree, but for me strangers naked bums are icky-er than pavements... illogical and daft, but eww, flabby hairy bum!

Rainbowshit · 23/12/2022 01:24

Saz12 · 23/12/2022 01:18

I’d prefer shoes on seat than naked bums!

Except the reason they have to put up signs is that they end up with many broken toilets as they are not designed for people to stand on them.

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:25

Judgyjudgy · 23/12/2022 01:22

It's called science Hmm

Show quote history

You've studied the science of pooing but never actually done any of these alternative methods? You're sounding crazier by the minute.

Elsiebear90 · 23/12/2022 01:25

Yes it’s definitely a thing, I used to regularly see shoe marks on the toilets seats where I work, we have the issue of people absolutely soaking the toilet and surrounding area with water from the sink because they’re used to using a bidet or shower etc as well. It’s really not nice to think people are presumably using their hands to wash their bits with water from the sink, but splashing it everywhere in the process, seems very unhygienic.

MarshaMelrose · 23/12/2022 01:25

My friend worked admin in the nursing dept of the local University. She was forever on to the maintenance to fix the toilet seats. It does a lot of damage.
I wouldn't be able to stand on one. They must be forever slipping into the bowl.

Judgyjudgy · 23/12/2022 01:29

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:25

You've studied the science of pooing but never actually done any of these alternative methods? You're sounding crazier by the minute.

Show quote history

Google it, everyone used to squat and then toilets changed (for the worse for our bodies), have you never visited ancient Roman sites etc?
I have actually squatted when I've had to when travelling to other countries where thats all they have, gets harder as you get older! 😀

ILoveeCakes · 23/12/2022 01:36

Judgyjudgy · 23/12/2022 01:29

Google it, everyone used to squat and then toilets changed (for the worse for our bodies), have you never visited ancient Roman sites etc?
I have actually squatted when I've had to when travelling to other countries where thats all they have, gets harder as you get older! 😀

Show quote history

You're missing the point. If I took the time to read up on the science of pooing (maybe I'll get to this topic if I live to 1000 years old!) I'd then take 2 mins to try it out. I don't believe you'd spend all this time reading about pooing (why anyway?) and then not even take one Euro squat out of scientific curiosity.

What else do you read up about? But then not do?