31 July 2009

Confusing Photo of the Week #3

Oh, the wonders of Asian toilets...

I remember reading a study once about people's aversion to eating/drinking out of containers normally used for gross or toxic contents. Even though the subjects in the study were assured that the urine sample jar/cat litter box/windex bottle was brand new - fresh from the factory and never used, the same plastics as say, a tupperware container - most would not eat or drink from it. Those who did reported high levels of discomfort when doing so.

I have recently learned that there are other instances where this aversion applies. When I confronted this bucket of water (meant to be used in lieu of toilet paper) labeled "Klenco Chemical" I fished in my purse for a napkin instead....

I am willing to bet that this was not a new bucket, unused from the Klenco factory - I think that at some point it was filled with the commercial, industrial and laundry chemicals it advertises, and no amount of water can remove all "safety solvents".

Maybe my feet, maybe my hands- but in order to prevent my own high levels of discomfort, you can bet that I did NOT splash my gens with this water.

*NOTE - I love squat toilets, have gone in some terrifyingly filthy ones - and I have no problem with the dipper and bucket....usually. Just not when the water is in a chemicals bucket.

19 comments:

The Bug said...

Yeah - I'm thinking I would have steered clear too. And if I ever go to Asia I'm packing hiker's TP with me!

Rachel said...

Eeek! Yuck.

Katie said...

Good grief! I can't say I blame you.

Anonymous said...

its reasons like that why i don't go anywhere without amenities lol

lady elle said...

I'm in agreement with The Bug! Yipes!

Hedgehog said...

That pic reminds me of something in the philippines...my mom taught me how to use the little dipper in a bucket thing for a shower. ^_^
I think ours was old tupperware though.

Anonymous said...

Was this taken in Indonesia.

Indian said...

Rachel, people do that, knowingly or unknowingly, in third world it is not as hazardous as you think... :)

Mary said...

hey, i saw you on the blogs of note section - sorry for appearing self-imposing!

my dad told me about this too, because he used to grow up in a countryside village in china and so hygiene was a huge issue for the villagers, as it were. on the subject of toilets, i also despise those ones which are basically holes in the ground with a flush (they seem to be rather popular in china...)

anyway, glad to know you didn't use the water as a substitute for toilet paper :) and have fun travelling!

Jessica O'Neill said...

Lou - No, this one was in Semporna, Malaysia.

I normally would have used this water no problem - but the residual chemical things....yipes.

Mary - I love a bucket shower! I got used to them in India.

Indian - I think that chemicals in your privates is always as hazardous as you think! :)

Wendy said...

Yeah, I'm all for the chemical-free gens, too!

Anonymous said...

I have a patient, a grizzled police sergeant who refuses to holiday for fear of using a toilet other than the one at work and at home. Oodles of cash, head in the travel stars but alas(s), a keister overly possessive of particular porcelain. Sadly, I worry u 2 may becoming victim to this latest form of prejudice, dreaded “excretism”. In loo this being gay pride weekend in Vancouver, I urge u to reject any form of ‘ism” and dump constipated western potty preconceptions. U go go girl!
Dr.O'

MeanDonnaJean said...

Why, I NEVER....! That is just downright deeeesgustin'....'n its also just another reason why MDJ is gonna keep her OCD-germ-o-phobe-huge-ass-that-wouldn't-be-able-to-squat-if-her-friggin'-life-depended-on-it-anyway-self right here in the good ol' U S of A.

Zayida Muhammed said...

Paint buckets are commonly used in india..atleast the bucket looks clean!;-D


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Unknown said...

Wow...I'm having a hard time imagining using a bucket of water... *makes note to check for real facilities when traveling*. Thanks for the tip, and congrats on "Blogs of Note"! :)

Stephani Bryant said...

Ah, i suppose every culture has their comfort levels. Thanks for sharing!
-Steph B

Jessica O'Neill said...

Rainysoul - the toilet itself was good! It was just the bucket of water (to wipe with) that was strange in the fact that it was a chemicals bucket....

Bryan said...

Reminds me of why I prefer to stay in hotels.

 
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