⌛ This is for all the girls (guys, too, if it floats your boat)

Okay, I have been here since July, and there is one question that has just been bugging the heck out of me, so I am just gonna ask!! I hope this doesn't offend anyone, I am truly just curious.
When I first went to the mall and went to use the restroom, I was appalled that there was no toilet seat nor toilet paper, came marching out of the restroom and said "I cannot use that bathroom, it has no toilet seats or toilet paper!!" Went to another restroom, same thing!! I finally noticed the tissue dispenser on the wall, bought some and used the toilet with no seat. I have evolved to carrying store bought tissues with me everywhere now, but I want to know.....how do women here use the public restrooms? Because when I go in after someone there is always urine all over the rim and on the floor. I always clean the rim and sit my butt right down on the rim and use it, but I don't think that is how it is done here. Not that I can change to doing it however they are doing it!! Also, lack of trash cans in the restrooms (where does one dispose of used pads or tampons when needed? do they keep them in their purses until they get home?) Another thing that drives me crazy is no soap or sanitizer in the restrooms!! I often wonder about the person who is fixing my food....did she go to the bathroom and not clean her hands before going back to preparing foods? I always have hand sanitizing wipes in my bag, too, because I just feel so dirty if I don't wash with soap after using the restroom!! And what is it with all the primping and preening of the feathers in the bathroom? I can hardly get to the sink to run water on my hands for all the hair brushing, teeth brushing, make-up applying, clothes adjusting.......the public restrooms here are definitely my pet peeve and I AM trying to adjust, really I am!! Thanks for letting me vent!! I feel so much better now!!
Marie

 

Hi Marie,

I held off on answering your question yesterday as I thought I would allow one of the ladies of the forum to come forward to answer. However, they seem a bit shy thus far. ;-)

I think the answer to your question lies with the traditional (and still prevalent) usage of "squat toilets" in the Philippines (as well as many other places in the world). A large portion of the population is more accustomed to this type of toilet rather than the western-style. Most likely use the same procedure with western style toilets (squatting over the bowl). As such, they don't need (or often break) the first lid which you would sit on.

The attached illustration gives you an idea of the mechanics of the "squat" maneuver.

As far as the lack of soap, hand sanitizer and toilet tissue...I assume that is due to the extreme egalitarian (I'm being kind...hehe) nature of the management of many establishments. However, you may notice a bucket of water with a ladle in it. This is used instead of toilet tissue by many.

Just FYI, here is a Wikipedia article on squat toilets: Squat toilet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

squat toilet

Thanks for the reply....this is what I figured, and my husband had told me he thought this is how they do it. I can't for life of me see me doing that without falling, but I can definitely see why they make such a huge mess when they go!! Just wish they would clean it up before they exit!! I wouldn't even want to put my feet on a rim covered with urine!! Oh well, I will just stick with cleaning it with sanitizing wipes and plop down "and do it my way"....in the words of Frank Sinatra, hehe.

 

Reason why many woman squat in the public restroom co'z they know its not 100% clean... The only problem sometimes "some" dunno how to clean up there mess...In public restroom also you cannot be sure they will really have a tissue and soap.. For many don't mind and it has to do with the budget of the maintenance also.. And what your doing, bringing your own tissue and sanitizer is the best way to do it...
We filipino just do our way in our restroom.. usually use running water... My man was even amaze when he stay in our nipa house.. But in the end like it and conclude that our way may simple but he see that were happy and comfortable..

 

Thanks Von, you know, a lot of the restrooms at the malls have rolls of toilet tissue on the wall by the sinks....they could get some before they go in and all they have to do is wipe the rim when they are done....it is very simple. Also, most of these ladies have purses full of make-up and bags from shopping, most could afford to carry tissue and the sanitizing wipes (50 php) or hand sanitizer, like I do, so I don't think it is a budget problem for most of them....Anyway, I know what the problem is and I have my solution, so I just accept it and go about my "business", hehe. I will add that I have been in some very nasty restrooms in my good Old U.S. of A.!! Some I just turn around and walk out of and just "wait" until something better comes along.

 

Also, most of these ladies have purses full of make-up and bags from shopping, most could afford to carry tissue and the sanitizing wipes (50 php) or hand sanitizer....
your right redee... but most have other things they want... as what most will say.. germs is only found in the book
seriously, even no tissue found in the cr as long they use the restroom correctly... things will be ok..

 

germs

As a nurse, I can assure them that germs exist everywhere...not just in books!! I am sure it is even common knowledge here that the first line of defense against illness is hand-washing. Well, like I said earlier, I am doing my part in protecting not only myself and my family, but others (by cleaning MY hands and not transmitting any germs I may be carrying).

 

I agree with you Reedee.. when i said that. i was referring to the some people.. sorry... my man always bring his hand sanitizer for defense especially if your in public area. Plus its really adviced also to always have that.. sorry again...
Just do what you have been always doing... even most public restroom are doing there part also putting signs but still many don't mind..

 

You have to consider that most of these ladies with bags full of make-up refreshing in the toilets are salesladies. And they MUST wear those make-up for their job.

 

I meant that they can not afford sanitizers and/or toilet paper (to clean themselves and their mess after using the lavatory) less than than their make-up (which is a must to keep their jobs).