A Hilarious Read: Brian Sack's Squat Toilet Story
I have just finished laughing harder than I have laughed in months. I kid you not. I'm still chuckling and shaking my head thinking about how hard I was laughing a few minutes ago.
While I was browsing our Gadling comments, I came across one posted by Gadling reader Marilyn Terrell who often leaves wonderful traveling tips on various posts. On Willy's post on squat toilets, she posted a link to another how to use a squat toilet missive. This one was written by Brian Sack and posted on his blog Banterist. This is piece of writing that rivals David Sedaris in the funny factor, and I adore David Sedaris. Sack is hilarious. Because I loved Sack's essay "China Dispatch: How to Use a Squat Toilet" so much, I wanted to give it its own post. His weblog isn't exactly a travel blog, but he travels.
Sack's is the male version of using a squat toilet. A female version would need to have some reference to trying not to pee on one's shoes. I can see a series of squat toilet stories. How about a book, Squat Toilet for Dummies? It could include an entry on how to use a squat toilet on a moving train, for example. How to use a squat toilet when you have your personal belongings with you such as a camera bag, sunglasses, a purse, a day pack or whatever.
For another laugh, check out the You Tube video on the "About Banterist" page. It's an interview with John Mayer. Thanks, Marilyn for such a funny, funny read.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Blogs, Stories, Asia, China, Video
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jun 24th 2007 @ 9:10AM
Marilyn Terrell said...
Glad you liked it, Jamie! This guy cracks me up. His rant on Charles de Gaulle Airport is also worth reading.
Reply
Jun 24th 2007 @ 3:46PM
marianne sinclair said...
Now you know why in some countries men wear skirts! We women know how much easier it is to use a squat when wearing a skirt instead of slacks!
Reply
Feb 10th 2008 @ 12:30PM
b.simpson said...
Hi,
I was traveling to California from NY. I hate flying. Anyway during the flight I went into the bathroom. As I sat down I saw a book on the floor. It name was Deja Poo by Philip Donicker. I laughed so loud the stewardess knocked on the bathroom door because she thought I was having a heart attack.
I don't know if the book was put there by the airline or by a fellow passenger but either way I thank you tons. It made the trip the least frightening in years.
When I got home I ordered the book over the internet and now it's in my bathroom.
cheers
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:16AM
maurice said...
Squat toilets = danger.... Maybe good for a cat or dog
Maurice
pets-r-us.net
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:16AM
joyce said...
Nothing new! They have squat toilets in some French villages. No S---
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:16AM
Phillip said...
Yes, the asians I find are very attractive people with their smooth skin,lean bodies,and those oh so sexy eyes and beautiful dark hair,but "squat toilets?"These people need to improve this method of "relieving themseleves"and please got rid of these ancient relics of the past!....
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:18AM
JeromeThomas said...
This is a funny story? Nah. Jamie, when you grow up (and learn to write) potty and fart stories will lose their appeal. It may take a while.
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:26AM
LoriLee said...
For that squat toilet a woman would have to face the wall........so I hope its equipped with 'grunt' bars for her safety.
(that leaves a whole different area of icky-ness/illness to contend with besides peeing on your shoes though!)
HAND SANITIZER!!!!!!
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:26AM
Linda E. said...
I had my first encounter with a squat toilet in a restaurant in Florence, Italy. Boy was I surprised! I couldn't relax enough to go. The second time was in Haiti. It wasn't really even a squat toilet, it was the hole left in the floor after the toilet was removed!!
Reply
Mar 23rd 2008 @ 12:54AM
Lorna said...
Mmmmmmmmm, not only hand sanitizer but there would also be the whole "WOW" factor of a woman facing the wall to use the squat toilet effectively.
Sorry but my crippled body would just have to bring "Depends".....I just don't see how anyone over 35 yrs old could use a squat toilet.
Perhaps there should just be some humorous YouTube videos of the squat toilet escapades set to Vivaldi or something?
Reply