Why do foreigners like to use toilets, while Chinese people like squatting toilets?

1. The origin of toilet culture

Toilet science originated in Japan. The first toilet association was the Japan National Toilet Association, which was established on November 10, 1985. The association's slogan is "Making public toilets clean, clean and lovable". In 2001, more than 500 representatives from more than 30 countries held the first Toilet Summit in Singapore. The toilet issue that has always been elusive has attracted worldwide attention. The meeting discussed a wide range of issues related to toilets, including toilet design, hygiene, comfort, and addressing issues such as excreta contamination and lack of toilets in developing countries. The meeting decided that November 19th every year would be World Toilet Day. At this conference, the "World Toilet Sanitation Organization", referred to as WTO (World Toilet Organization), was formally established. WTO is a non-governmental organization jointly founded by the Singapore Toilet Association, the Japanese Toilet Association, the Korean Clean Toilet Association, and the Taiwan Toilet Association of China, and is headquartered in Singapore. It is committed to the construction of global toilet culture and advocates clean, comfortable and healthy toilets. It currently has dozens of members. This means that the issue of toilets has entered the international agenda just like food, health care and trade, and the civilization about toilets will receive more and more attention from countries around the world. For example, India is implementing a huge plan to ensure that every rural household has a toilet by 2010 in order to change its international image. Because only 30% of rural households in India have toilets, and "open defecation is the main cause of diarrhea. Diarrhea claimed the lives of 700,000 Indians in 1999, with an average of 1,600 people dying from diarrhea every day. In children under 5 years old Among them, diarrhea has the highest mortality rate. "To this end, the Indian government invested 1.65 billion rupees to help farmers build toilets in the 2003-2004 fiscal year, and another 3.6 billion rupees in the 2004-2005 fiscal year, which increased to 6.3 billion rupees this year. From November 17th to 19th, 2004, the 4th World Toilet Summit was held in Beijing.

According to figures provided by the WTO, each person goes to the toilet about 6 to 8 times a day, which is 2,500 times a year. Calculated in this way, a person spends about 2 years in the toilet in his life. Therefore, going to the toilet is a major event in everyone's life, and the WTO's annual summit to discuss the toilet issues of more than 6.5 billion people around the world is by no means a trivial matter.

2. Differences in toilet culture between China and the West

To measure the degree of civilization of a country, the appearance of the toilet is an important indicator. The development history of toilets reflects the progress of civilization. After the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the United States, humans gradually called toilets "bathroom", "washroom", "washroom", "men's room", "ladies' room", etc. This is not about the difference between elegance and vulgarity in the name of the toilet, but marks the change and progress of people's life concepts and environmental awareness. The result of this change and progress is that toilets, especially public toilets, are no longer a simple and casual place for physiological metabolism, but have physiological metabolism, hygiene, rest, and even aesthetics, commerce, culture, etc. A variety of functions. Public toilets have become one of the windows of the civilized image of modern cities. They are an important symbol of the level of urban economic development and the quality of life of urban residents. They reflect the development level of urban material civilization and spiritual civilization, and display the civilized quality of a nation.

Take Switzerland as an example. There is no smell at all in street toilets. Moreover, in general, the exterior architecture and interior decoration of toilets are as exquisite as housing. The interior is magnificently decorated, the floor is bright and clean, the toilet is brand new, toilet paper and ashtrays are neatly placed. Oil paintings and modern artworks are hung on the walls of some toilets, adding to the cultural atmosphere. The bathroom has two hot and cold faucets, along with hand towels and a hand dryer.

Turkey is a country that attaches great importance to toilet civilization. From bustling metropolises to remote rural towns, the management and cleaning of toilets are excellent. The public toilets there, whether luxurious or simple, are clean, spacious and bright, with toilet paper, soap and sinks all available. No matter where you go, it's rare to be embarrassed by going to the bathroom. What’s more worth mentioning is that many toilets in Turkey also have artistic taste. For example, some male and female signs on toilet doors use "red lips" or "high heels" patterns to represent women's restrooms, and "two-stroke beards" or "big pipe" patterns represent men's restrooms. This adds a bit more humor and interest than simply using male and female body types.

A Chinese reporter visited the United States and discovered the different aspects of public toilet culture between the two countries. Here are some excerpts from it, which can deepen your thinking on the cultural connotation of public toilets.

One of the cases

This reporter wrote: In public toilets in the United States, don’t talk about toilets, pits, hand washing, and drying equipment, just talk about toilet paper. We can’t compare. . Almost all toilets, from the White House to Capitol Hill, from hotels to public toilets in public places, are all prepared with paper. That paper, continuous, thin, white, and rolled up, is toilet paper. The paper napkins that are twice as thick as our domestic napkins are hand towels that can be used after washing hands. I am ignorant, and all the free toilet paper available everywhere in the United States is better than the ones sold in our stores. In addition, AIDS-preventive seat cushions are available in all public toilets. This shows how much the U.S. government attaches importance to the hygiene and health of its citizens.

The question is, what will happen if our public toilets in China also have free toilet paper? The answer is: stole it all. Think about it, if there is such good toilet paper in the public toilet that you have never used in your life, and no one is guarding it, who would not take it to your own home, wouldn't you be stupid if you don't know how to display it? Not to mention at home, even in Japan, Chinese students often steal toilet paper from public toilets, which has become a big scandal. In Australia, many public toilets have special words: Chinese people please be aware and do not take away public toilet paper! Some hotels and restaurants in our country originally prepared paper towels in the toilets, but later they also canceled it. The reason is that they are too prepared and can't guard against it. This is all something other than whether the toilet is "cleaner or dirty."

Case 2

A scholar wrote about the comparison of Chinese and American toilet cultures from another angle, starting from the kitchen:

Generally speaking, Chinese kitchens and toilets can be identified by touch and smell alone. That convenience without sight makes it universal and unparalleled in all kinds of public and private situations.

Chinese toilets are generally very shameful. The smoke-filled kitchen where Chinese people fry in oil is actually an important symbol of Chinese food culture. In my memory, all the "steel pots" used for cooking at home that are a little older are covered with a thick layer of fire scale. This kind of Chinese kitchen culture that comes from the fire scale of "steel pot" has always been a long-lasting warmth in my heart.

Chinese toilets are also very unique. In the early years, apart from being dimly lit, the facilities were extremely simple. In particular, Beijing's public toilets, which are used by countless citizens, are even more extraordinary. In addition to having the characteristics of being large and unobtrusive, they also have the characteristics of sharp and widespread smell.

American toilets are a strong point of hygiene in home life. In addition to having the same spotless characteristics as the kitchen, the bathroom is often decorated with valuable flowers, dried flowers, ribbons, sachets, and perfume. There are many accessories in the American market that are specially designed for people to serve the toilet, from matching toilet tools to all-gold faucets. The more high-end homewares stores, the more complicated and complex gadgets are found in them. The more complete it is. Moreover, for toilets in American homes, in principle, all furnishings suitable for the living room, except for large TVs, stereos, and bookshelves, can be used in the toilet.

This situation also brings out the different concepts between Chinese and Americans about others and themselves. For example, when Chinese people give gifts to others, they usually give them items that they can't bear to eat. When Americans give gifts, the recipients should never expect to get a big surprise. American gifts are often as bland as a book. Books, a thin silk scarf or a box of candy worth three or five yuan. Whenever you see Americans buying expensive things, they are not only buying them for themselves, but also for their relatives. Chinese people often pay attention to "how I want to explain to others", and both emotions and reasons are "for others". The American consciousness is exactly the opposite.

Similar to the above, the living rooms in Chinese homes are often much cleaner, which is also the result of the culture’s emphasis on “people”, because every window is for others to see, so you don’t want to careless. The kitchen and toilet are relatively "home-made". Even if they are dirty, it does not hinder the actual use, so it doesn't matter. But I have heard intermittently that the Chinese have become more and more self-interested in recent years. This change is good from an international perspective for the Chinese people in the future.

China is an ancient civilization with a long history, and its civilization naturally includes health civilization. In fact, China is the first country in the world to promulgate public health regulations. "Han Feizi" from the Warring States Period records: "The law of Yin punishes those who abandon Taoism and have their hands cut off." This law is harsh enough! This method was praised by Confucius. In Zhou and Qin, people who dumped garbage on the road were still severely punished. The Qin Law stipulates that "those who discard ashes from Taoism will get tattoos." This means using a knife to carve a mark on the forehead and cheeks, and then apply ink.

So, what causes our toilet civilization to lag behind today?

Chinese culture has always valued "eating and drinking" and despised the other end. In China, a country with ancient cultural traditions, "toilet culture" is like a desert without oasis, forgotten. In people's traditional concepts, the "toilet" is not considered a dignified place. It is regarded as the dirtiest and most unlucky place. For example: Traditional houses in Beijing are arranged according to a certain pattern based on traditional Feng Shui theory. The southeast corner is the most auspicious, so the door and kitchen are generally set in this auspicious direction, while the northwest corner is regarded as the most inauspicious direction, and the toilet is was placed in this corner, and was very crude. Traditionally, people call it "latrine" or "thatched house". As the name suggests, it is a house built with thatched grass.

Comparing the "civilization" of toilets in different countries can sometimes reflect the differences in national living habits. Countries with developed material civilization cannot neglect the construction of spiritual civilization, and must pay special attention to cultivating the spiritual realm of thinking about others. Otherwise, no amount of material wealth can cover up its lack of civilization.

3. Current situation and development of toilets in China

After several years of development, my country’s toilet construction has continuously made new breakthroughs and has basically entered a stage of rationalized layout, modernized facilities, clean and sanitary With the benign development track of standardization and standardization of management services, toilets that were once the most unpalatable are becoming new sights in cities and scenic spots. The remarkable achievements made in toilet construction in my country's tourist attractions and tourist cities in recent years have been widely praised by overseas tourists. Some Japanese travel agents said: "Ten years ago, the most troublesome problem in China was going to the toilet. Some ladies They even skipped breakfast to avoid going to the toilet. Now this situation has changed greatly, which is China’s progress.”

The "toilet revolution" is an issue of concern in China now. However, the relevant parties are not trying their best to solve the practical problem of difficulty in using public toilets that ordinary people are concerned about. Instead, they are taking extraordinary measures to build luxury toilets.

The first five-star toilet on Hainan’s east highway recently broke ground. In the next two years, 10 five-star tourist toilets will be built on the main tourist lines of Hainan Province, and 150 star-rated tourist toilets will be built in the province's total area to solve the problem of "difficulty in using the toilet".

In order to promote the transformation and upgrading of the tourism industry and improve the internationalization level of Hainan's tourism infrastructure, the Hainan Provincial Government plans to launch a tourism campaign in the province's major tourist cities, major tourist routes and tourist attractions (spots) within two years. "Toilet Revolution".

Up to now, 74 of the 89 toilets in 35 A-level tourist attractions (spots) in the province have been renovated, 11 new toilets have been built, and a total of 14.369 million yuan has been invested, all of which have been renovated according to standards. and newly built and put into use.

The reporter saw in Sanya Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone that 13 tourist toilets were newly built and renovated with an investment of more than 6 million yuan, including 1 5-star toilet, 1 4-star toilet, and 11 3-star toilets. Each building has been renovated and decorated in a style that is in harmony with the ecological landscape of the scenic spot. There are signs in front of the door with Chinese, English, Russian, Japanese and Korean characters. ①

In Beijing, where public toilets are difficult to come by, it is said that star-rated toilets will be built in major parks, at least reaching two-star and three-star standards; a well-known designer who has designed bars and cafes in Taiwan said that , to build "six-star toilets" on the Great Wall; other cities are also working hard to build luxury toilets. Who is this luxurious toilet for?

While paying attention to the construction and management of toilets in developed countries and regions. Pay more attention to the construction and management of toilets in developing countries and backward areas of the world. While paying attention to the construction and management of urban toilets, pay more attention to the construction of rural toilets. Caring for people starts with solving the problems of public toilets, not luxury toilets. Building more public toilets instead of luxury toilets is a real measure of convenience and meets the needs of the majority of the public.

Summary

Toilet is a kind of culture. The development of toilet culture also represents the development of human civilization. The differences between Chinese and Western toilet cultures are also reflected in the culture of developing and developed countries. , living habits and economic levels. China's toilets were exposed to the world in the early days of reform and development when the tourism industry was developing. However, at that time, they gave the world an extremely bad impression. "Dirty, messy, and poor" were the only comments. In recent years, with the improvement of national hygiene awareness and the development of tourism, the construction of toilets has been included in an important part of urban and rural construction and the construction of tourist facilities. China's toilets are no longer the same as in the past. But what is worrying is that this issue has led to another misunderstanding. China's toilets are developing towards luxury and seem to be creating a new tourist hotspot. Only by building hygienic and practical toilets can we truly meet the needs of the people. Only by putting people first can we reflect the true essence of toilet culture.