The Great Debate: Squat Toilets vs. Sit-Down Toilets – Pros and Cons for Hygiene and Virus Prevention

2024-03-18 08:55:12

[Public toilet/Toilet/Squat toilet/Personal hygiene/Virus]When people have “three urgent needs”, they find that finding a clean toilet is a big problem. A mainland woman living in Hong Kong discovered that Hong Kong generally has more sit-down toilets than squat toilets, but the hygienic situation is discouraging. She said that she prefers to use squat toilets rather than sit-down toilets, triggering a heated discussion among netizens in both places about the pros and cons of sit toilets and squat toilets.

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This mainland woman living in Hong Kong posted on the mainland social platform “little red book“After arriving in Hong Kong, I found that most of the toilets in shopping malls or public places in Hong Kong are toilets. Compared with the mainland, which are all squat toilets, it is very different. But she observed that people using toilets would squat on the toilet seat to defecate.

I saw many people squatting on it, but I didn’t have the courage. I was afraid that the toilet would explode. It was uncivilized!

Squat toilet VS toilet

Netizens from both places left comments under the post, and both had supporters for both squat toilets and squat toilets. Most of the people who commented that they liked using squat toilets were mainland netizens, while those who liked using toilets were almost all Hong Kong people. Some netizens also shared their own “paper towel array” when using the toilet. Some people suggested that the victim could use disposable toilet seats instead of paper towels, saying that they can better block bacteria.

Mainland netizens: If you use a toilet at home, you must squat in public toilets

Mainland netizens generally feel that squatting toilets are cleaner because they avoid direct contact with dirty toilet boards and reduce the risk of bacterial infection. The female netizen said that if both were available at the same time, she would choose the squatting toilet first. Some netizens pointed out that squatting on the toilet can prevent toilet water from bouncing off the skin when using the toilet.

Hong Kong netizens: Use the toilet to sit on a shadowless stool

Hong Kong people commented that sitting toilets are better than squatting toilets. If you need to urinate, you can just “sit on the shadowless stool” and don’t have to worry about whether the toilet seat is clean. Moreover, after the epidemic, Hong Kong people’s hygiene awareness has improved. They are accustomed to carrying alcohol-based hand sanitizer with them. They also close the toilet before flushing it after using the toilet. Therefore, toilets are generally cleaner and more convenient to use than squat toilets. Some female netizens said that when squatting in the toilet, it “easily bounces off their feet” and they feel dirty.

Using the toilet as a squat toilet is unethical

Some netizens also reported that some people use the toilet as a squat toilet. “There are shoe prints on the toilet board. I guess they are the footprints of some mainlanders who are not used to sitting.” They pointed out that if everyone “sits down,” in fact, The toilet will be cleaner than the squat toilet.

Expert: Spreading paper towels can easily attract bacteria

When many people are accustomed to using public toilets, they will lay out a “toilet paper array” and put the toilet board on it first to “liberate”. Philip Tierno, a professor of microbiology at New York University, once said, “The toilet seat is cleaner than the kitchen sink.” Because the surface of the toilet seat is smooth, it is difficult for bacteria to adhere to it. Even if there are germs, these viruses and bacteria will die once they leave the human body in about 10 seconds, so the possibility of contracting the virus through the toilet board is very low.

Philip pointed out that compared to the hygiene of the toilet seat, the toilet paper next to the toilet is a breeding ground for bad bacteria. He pointed out that when flushing the toilet, the bacteria in feces will be dispersed in the air, so it is recommended to cover the toilet before flushing. Furthermore, many people are accustomed to using toilet paper on the toilet seat before going to the toilet, which will expose the skin to more bacteria.

In view of this, Philip suggestedTwo major approachesTo relieve public concerns about toilet seat hygiene:

  • Use alcohol to disinfect before using the toilet, or wipe the toilet seat with wet paper towels.
  • Use disposable toilet seat cushion paper instead of toilet paper. Its material can effectively isolate urine and bacteria, which can protect yourself and the next user.

You must wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet

Philip reminded that the dirtiest part of a public toilet is the toilet handle, so it is recommended to use a paper towel to pad it before touching the handle. In addition, avoid using mobile phones when using the toilet in public toilets to prevent germs from sticking to the mobile phones. You should also use hand sanitizer to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds immediately after using the toilet. Before that, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, nose, or other wounds to reduce the risk of bacterial transmission.

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Editor in charge: Luo Jiaxin

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