This is stupid article. It was your first time out of your "comfort zone" and you derail as if nations around the world lack the technology like US or UK to run more "comfortable" toilets.

It cost a lot of money to install mechanical system that can pump water in large volume into the bowl, and based on where you were, it just makes no sense to install it.

furthermore 2 things

1) in many parts of the world, human manure are still good fertilizer, and they intentionally collect it.

2) it's also shown that people who have access to squatters are less likely to get hemorrhoids, possibly because from its uncomfortable position.

if you are this sensitive to different culture, that including toilet, then don't travel at all. stay at the comfort of your home.

On #2 its actually true that squat toilets are better for the function of the human body down there.
While personally I was releaved to be back the the USA and our toilets i can see the benifits of short term trip to use these toilets. And I have come to love the bidets esp the Japanese techno toilets and Egyptian small water pipe bidets. The Japanese are so great because they are so clever while the naturally warm water in Egypt and simple low pressure water pipe with an easy to use hand valve in Egypt make the toilets in Egypt the perfect solution to keeping things clean.

last anon: you may have missed the point. it is about the different reactions to things we encounter seeing the world. Keystone is just expressing her opinion and I hope others will as well. it is not alll about the points and miles but the things we encounter. have fun with it

Hey, I think Christine has a future as a travel writer:-) I really enjoyed her piece and it is something that we can all empathize! I read the first anon comments and am shaking my head. Dude, chill out, will ya? We missed you guys in Ann Arbor this year! Rick, did u get to use this toilet in the Forbidden City?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NNgzH4sOsIk/SfZdU0809YI/AAAAAAAAFCM/p9_KUEde5Ro/s1600-h/IMG_3396.JPG

Gpap: I learned day one that the handicap stalls were more to my liking and never held up a handicapped person

"But whether it was a bidet in Europe (what are those prissy things for anyway?!)"

Those "prissy things" are for washing your private parts, especially after a, ahem, number two dry toilet paper can only do so much.

2008 was the first time I went to China and the first time I saw and used the "non-western" toilets. My thoughts were exactly with you Rick, Kissing the American toilet. It takes a little bit of mobility to use it.

Fast forward to 2011, I went to Nepal to trek to the Base Camp of Mt Everest. I actually preferred the "non-western" toilets, i.e. the squat toilets because:

1. Your bum is not touching a cold plastic seat
2. I found the the "non-western" toilets to be more sanitary as your ass is not touching a seat rather it's in the air.

To flush one of those squat toilets, I found myself scooping a bucket full of water and pouring it down the "non-western" toilet, which is why I appreciate the western toilet. I don't have to revel in my "deposits"

Rick, I agree, it's not all about the points and miles, but the encounters and experiences.

Thanks for posting this humorous article, Rick! Enjoyed reading it as it brought back memories of my first trip to Italy. I was walking around the lovely city of Florence and stepped into a quaint little cafe for a cup of hot coffee on a cold December afternoon.

I excused myself from my friend to use the restroom and discovered a hole in the floor with two areas marked for your feet. WTH is this, was my first thought, then the laughter began. Thankfully, I was able to stand, and wasn't in the need to squat! Quite the experience when your are use to the modern conveniences of our great nation..