Job Discussion Forums

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

Every time I go to a Chinese friends house that has any kind of money they have a sitter....is it because it is seen as a social status thing to have a western toilet? Perhaps they are just smarter then everyone else and don't care how much "healthier" they are for you. I don't see people dropping over dead in western countries because they were using western toilets. Getting up to walk over and change the TV is healthier...do we do it? No, we have remotes....things advance, technology advances....ask the Japanese and their water squirting, singing, cheek warming toilets. They are in Asia no? seems they like their "comfort" too.

KFC's and Mc'Ds here have Western toilets, so does the Forbidden City.....I recall seeing the 4 star toilet sign when I was in need. (just one example I know....don't feel like writing the book "Western Toilets of China" at the moment.

Fact is this country likes to save money.....putting in squatters and troughs are cheaper. They don't do it because it is healthier......they do it because it costs less Mao's. Schools that put in squaters then give you a stool with a hole in it are doing one thing.....saving money. So, a school doesn't want to bother with something as you say so trivial as a toilet, imagine where else they want to skimp on you.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

People should be more concerned with the lack of proper hand-washing facilities in Chinese toilets than whether or not the toilet is squat or sit down. Having a dump, cleaning up after yourself, then finding no soap and warm water available is more worrying to me than what model of toilet I just used. Always carry hand sanitizer on you for this reason. But that's just me. I've seen some Chinese, and foreigners, do their business in the loo and then just walk past the sink and carry on with what they were doing, eating a sandwich, shaking hands, picking their nose and so on.

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

I've sometimes seen it go completely the other way with regard the 'public sit down is unhealthy'.

Chinese avoid them because they assume other people will sit down on them, and instead use filthy squatters, which sometimes have several people's....usage, shall we say, built up, whilst the western toilet is only used rarely by the few foreigners passing through.

One thing with a squatter at home, I just assume they're dirty. Floors get dirty in China and I guess it spills over into the toilet and makes it look bad. A brand new western throne or a thoroughly cleaned looks cleaner.

Banner41 · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 656 Location: Shanghai

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

I decided to put the ESL idea on the backburner and stay in the USA at least for the immediate future. It looks like I will be able to continue to enjoy my mornings without taking Yoga lessons to relearn how to go.

I do agree with the above comments about hand washing. Look at the flu spreading across the globe. All in part due to poor hygiene. But I guess in developing nations there is not much you can do about it. Same holds true for S. Texas which is very much like Mexico.

Carry on....

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Good luck Tin Man
I hope the discussion your thread has generated, has given you something to go on.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Tread softly lest you tread on my jokes.

GeminiTiger · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:19 am Post subject:

I've never had a squatter in my apartment. Now days any proper coffee shop or restaurant has a good chance of not only having a throne but also free paper. Blessed be the revolution!

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

Thanks Non Sequitur. I basically decided to explore a sales opportunity in the USA. I think I found a very progressive green company that actually collects rain water for usage in their warehouse. Anyway, if things don't workout then I have the ESL for backup.

Frankly, I would prefer to go to Latin America but the pay is mostly peanuts for teaching. One of my concerns with ESL is that there is age discrimination in most places. I am in my early 50's and I think China tolerates older teachers simply due to the incredible demand.

There is also age discrimination in sales but not nearly to the degree as I have seen in teaching. Not that this has anything to do with squatting but played a part of my concern with ESL which is somewhat of a dead end for older teachers except for possibly China for the most part at least for now.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

TM
The age thing is becoming more rigorous in China but hey I got my first job at well above your current age.
If you have new migrant or refugee centre nearby see if you can do a bit of voluntary work to polish your creds a little.
NS

tin man · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 137

NS, I got good offers in China with a degree, TESOL and 1 year teaching experience in 2006 on top of 20+ years of business. The offers were not so much the issue other than I decided not to make the move at this time.

That being said, I have concerns that ESL could be somewhat of a dead end for older teachers outside of China. Of course, there are exceptions.

With an improved job market and economy in the USA (especially parts of Texas), I may be better off here but only time will tell.