The weirdness of China.

[Dave Gray]

Since having gone to China, I'm always trying to impress in people how different the culture of Asia is, from top to bottom.  It's just not Western thinking, about so many things.  I have a new example.

My sister (who lives in Shanghai) and I were on skype the other morning.  She was telling me that they're looking for a new place to live.  They are a large family, so their choices are limited.  The place they're looking at is 4 stories, but with only a couple of rooms per story.  On one level is the master bedroom (which has a bathroom within it) and another nice room, where one of their daughters will sleep.  The problem is that there is no toilet for the other bedroom.  Either the daughter has to walk through someone else's bedroom, or go down several flights of stairs to take a pee.

Apparently, this was pointed out to the Chinese man who owns the place.  His solution -- he put two toilets, side by side, in the bathroom on their floor.

[Brian Fein]

In my experience with China, toilets in general seem to be a luxury item.  Many Chinese people literally take poops into a hole in the ground.  Like this:

I've been to China several times now, spent 4 weeks there in the past 5 months.  There's a lot of "weird" crap that goes on there, which is totally normal for them.  Culture is a funny thing.

[Phishfan]

I would still call that a toilet though. You just don't have the luxury of being able to sit on it but it appears it could be porcelain and it flushes.

[Lee]

How do older people in China poop?  Seems like it would be harder for them to use that.

[mecadonzilla]

^
I've seen pics of older Chinese folks walking with a toilet seat/bench thing for that purpose.

[TonyB0D]

Squatting while pooping is healthier for you than sitting....less chance of intestinal problems and cancers

[Brian Fein]

Check this one out:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/47155170#47155170

[Phishfan]

Caution blocks, what the hell is that? Also, if you notice at the beginning of the video the girl had walked past another set already. What were those marking caution for?

[Dave Gray]

^ Perfect example.  Safety is odd there.

I was at the forbidden city (major tourist attraction) and there were about 100 people walking under a giant threshold.  Above them was two guys without shoes moving a GIGANTIC wooden plank (that would SURELY kill you if it fell).  They were shimmying it along scaffolding, with people below them.  No ropes.

It's just a different kind of society.  I don't think they're litigious, and there's not really a focus on safety or blame when accidents happen.

[Brian Fein]

Those were not caution blocks.  There is no such thing in China.  Those were little blocks on the sidewalk to prevent people from driving on the sidewalk.  Because in China, if they didn't have those, people would drive on the sidewalk.

As far as safety, I recall seeing people climbing on scaffolding 2+ stories in the air with no ropes, no tie-offs.  I remember seeing three or four guys climbing on a huge electrical transformer 20 feet in the air like it was a jungle gym.  There are absolutely no concern for safety.  I guess they figure if you die on the job, oh well, there's a billion more people waiting to take that job.

[Phishfan]

Thanks Brian. I took the video at its word that they were caution blocks. I should have known better than to trust a new source in this day and time.

[bsfins]

hmm no rubber ducky non slip stickers on the floor,but treads on the toilet edges.....I could see a lot of late night having to squirt end up in emergency room visits for me having to use that type of toilet.God forbid you miss peeing in that toilet,and get you socks wet.

Can you imagine that toilet getting backed up and over flowing?..Talk about a nightmare....

I'm sorry Brian's video made me laugh....