Bathrooms in Taiwan: What to Expect
Taiwanese baths
Taiwan is a developed nation and Taipei a very modern, developed and adapted city. This being true, there are still some things from the past that have been culturally maintained. The bathroom and the habits of use are no exception to this. This article will walk you through the process of going to the bathroom in Taiwan and what to expect so you don’t have any nasty surprises!
One of your first big surprises when in Taiwan is sure to come when you’re in a rush and walk into the bathroom only to see a hole in the floor. Congratulations, you just had your first encounter with the Squatty potty. The squat potty is a familiar familiar to most Taiwanese, however it may take others to get used to it. When you meet the first one, don’t panic, just try your best.
You will mainly come across this type of receptacle when you are outside the main city, in smaller and unfamiliar areas or in small restaurants. Use your best judgment and don’t be fooled. If you’re eating at a night market restaurant down an alley and you come across a squat potty, you must be expecting it. On the other hand, well-established restaurants, buildings, and other venues generally have western-style facilities. In fact, most of the toilets and buildings in Taipei are now equipped with Western-style toilets in men’s and women’s toilets. Typically when you enter most buildings, you will find a combination of western-style toilets and squat urinals available.
The culture of the squat potty.
An ancient cultural belief is still remembered that sitting on a toilet was unhealthy and frightening. This is surprising to many in stark contrast to the fact that many Westerners think of the squat-style toilet as a more primitive and unhealthy system. Just one of the interesting cultural treasures that you are sure to discover while in Taiwan! Although this type of method and custom is still very important in the country, many Taiwanese have become accustomed to using Western-style toilets and can be found in most places.
Another interesting cultural feature in Taiwan is the bathroom cleaners. We are grateful to have them here as public restrooms tend to maintain a certain level of cleanliness, however this sometimes comes at the cost of a little surprise. Gentlemen, if when you use the bathroom and a woman walks in behind you, don’t be alarmed, it’s most likely just the cleaning lady. That’s right, there is no sex discrimination here when it comes to cleaning public toilets! Many of the public restroom cleaners are women and do not hesitate to finish their jobs if the facilities are in use. Just go about your business and try not to smile and laugh too much, this is normal for you now!
Toilet paper
No matter what type of toilet system you come across, there is one thing you need to make sure you are absolutely aware of. Taipei is an old city and the sanitary systems used are still quite out of date. Because of this, it is more common to NOT WASH TOILET PAPER. There is a trash can next to each bathroom and it is not there for display. If you use toilet paper, put it in the trash and NOT IN THE TOILET. The paper will clog the toilet and drain and cause big problems for everyone. Just fold your used toilet paper and throw it away in the basket. Everyone will appreciate your cooperation!
Helpful tips
Take a small packet of tissues with you for emergencies. It is not uncommon to find a bathroom in poor condition if you are outside the city center, and even more common if you travel outside the capital, Taipei.
Sometimes restrooms may charge you a fee for use or charge for toilet paper. If this is the case, there is usually a wall mounted vending machine that you can shop from. Something to think about before rushing in and getting caught in a smelly situation (literally). Don’t forget, ALWAYS CHECK THE TOILET PAPER BEFORE USING IT!
Check for hooks. Sometimes the positions have them, sometimes they don’t. If you have valuables with you that you don’t want to put on the floor, look for a hook on the back of the barn door or wall. If it’s not there, it may have been dropped. Head to the next booth and hope for better luck!
Hand sanitizer and / or hand soap. In addition to poor maintenance and a lack of toilet paper in the bathrooms, soap dispensers sometimes go unnoticed. It’s a good idea to have a small portable bottle of hand sanitizer or soap just in case. This can be a great way to kill germs from just being in town all day, too!