Prepare (to squat) for the Beijing Summer Olympics

As mentioned in a previous post, Olympics organizers in Beijing received many complaints when athletes heard word of stadiums housing squat toilets instead of the sit-down variety. Succumbing to international pressure, organizers now plan to replace most of the squat toilets with sit-down toilets in the three main stadiums.

Still, visitors to the 2008 Summer Olympics are likely to encounter more than a few squat toilets in Beijing during their stay. Fortunately for those who are distressed about the prospect of eliminating via this method, instructional resources are available:

- This World Hum article geared toward the Western traveler toilet-trained in the sit-down manner gives background and the basics. NB: The article itself warns of its “language that some will find offensive, but that others will find refreshingly honest.” Don’t even click on the link if the word “wiping” makes you blush.

- For a more exhaustive read, try Jane Wilson-Howarth’s book (with a title not usually used in polite company), subtitled “The Art of Staying Clean and Healthy While Traveling.”

- And if you’d like to start practicing at the gym or in front of the TV under the guise of “working out,” have a look at this BodyBuilding.com article on proper squat technique.

— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: Beijing National Indoor Stadium, BeijingOlympicsFan.com]

Permalink | E-mail | Print | Add to My Trips

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 5:03 pm by Susan Derby and is filed under Asia, Healthy Traveler, News, Tips & Advice, Sports, Summer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.