Come on now, we all want to know, when you're travelling Asia, Africa, actually, just about anywhere outside Europe and Amercia, how to you clean your arse?
Well, I've always stuck to the 'When in Rome' approach, so I go native.....come on, that many Asians just can't be wrong.
And hey, the Chinese invented toilet paper, and even they don't use it!
Reply to this Ha ha ha! I'm sorry, there is no way I travel any place without an emergency roll.
Reply to this I have to agree with Conor - I always go native - actually I think it is a much better way to wipe your arse!
Reply to this Depends on the supply of paper... it's got to be wiped one way or another.
Reply to this Good man Stuart......just think about it.......if you spill some mustard or ketchup on your arm, what's gonna clean it off best? Water or paper? Obviously the water.
Come on, let's get a movement to ban toilet paper in the western world!!!
Reply to this Now, don't tell me you are going to start clearing your throat in the street Chinese style! 😊
Reply to this > if you spill some mustard or ketchup on your arm, what's gonna clean it off best?
A damp cloth?
Reply to this Ah - but thats not disposble.
You then have to rinse out the mustardy thickness in order to get back your cloth. Wouldn't want to use that if it was something other than mustard.
I'm gonna go for the paper. But then I've always been fully prepared with a roll, and so never initiated my hand into the wiping practice. Maybe when I've tried it I'll think differently. I hope not though.
Reply to this Conor, I'll be the first to join your movement to ban toilet paper in the western world! Toilet paper is such a dirty disgusting invention and not ecological - such a waste of paper.
Reply to this Just a reminder to all the natives in this thread; Mother Gaia is proud of you, but a sink is not meant to stink...
Reply to this Hey guys, I've seen the pictures and not all the paperless toilets are like those pictures!!
Buy the way, I'm not against the hand option, but I never figured out how to dry it after the cleaning!
So I always carry my own paper roll!
Reply to this I have also never quite figured out how they dry themselves off after the hand and water approach myself. Perhaps if somebody let me in on that little secret I might be more apt to try the local approach.
Reply to this Yeah the water thing is a puzzler...it amazes me to hear all the water hose action going on behind the door then a totally immaculate lady come out without a drop of water or splash anywhere??! How do they do it?? How does it work with ladies in fulldress/floor length skirts!? I carry a roll with me..but your right, how can so many asians be wrong...and yes it is much more eco friendly to use your hand
Reply to this Then there's the multitude of substitutes to toilet paper.
A corncob (as common as the hand along the West Africa coastline)
A stone (well worth a try)
A leafe (the thicker the better)
A note (deface the local currency in style)
Your guidebook (who reads the authors credits anyway?
But of course, nothing beats the good old left hand. So comfortable, so economical, so ecological, so real and so appealing to your tribal inner self. ;-)
Reply to this I've been using paper wherever I can. However, I must admit that I have foregone paper from time to time and used several other methods. In Thailand, there are little hoses to spray yourself off. They are everywhere and they work quite nicely, especially when the sing says, "please use no toilet paper." While camping, I have also used leaves and rocks. These are quite fine methods and sometimes work even better than paper.
I would never, ever, ever use my hand.
Think about it. How much germs and bacteria do you think the cold water of a third-world sink will actually wash off of your poo-covered hand? There usually isn't gonna be soap, and I'm sure you don't carry your medical-grade hand sanitizer everywhere you go. Even if you do get it all off without staining your palm and fingers, there are still bazillions of microscopic poo-particles all over your hand. Those get in your nose when you pick it, in your hair when you brush it out of your face, in your eye when you scratch it, and in your belly when you eat some dinner.
So yeah, give me a break. Alternative methods are cool, but the hand is just idiotic.
Reply to this oh christ.... I am currently a 32 year old mature student in my final year of college. Iv never been abroad except to amsterdam about eight years ago. Im a bit nervous and will be travelling alone. I have always wanted to travel but had a huge fear of flying..ironic and tragic. It was B.A Baracus time on the flight to Amsterdam. Anyway has anyone any tips for me? and is it idiotic to go straight aftre I graduate?? Should I get a loan. I would like to do Asia, India first and New Zealand but friend s have convinced me to do Europe as a taster?? Id really appreciate some advice as I feel a total duck out of water..............yet after reading the blogs on poo-gate....i think ill forego packing my rucksack with anything except bog roll..........
cheers xx
Reply to this Personally I refuse to travel without a supply of toilet paper, baby wipes and antibacterial hand gel! Never quite managed to go native when I was in India.
Reply to this LOL
Some threads never die.
Those toilet photos above are bringing back memories. :D
Does anyone use those showers that are in the toilets in some countries?
Mel
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