TP'ed!

I wish. I cringed at the thought of using public restrooms in Asia, because some places still use squat toilets, and in others I'd be lucky if one even flushes. Toilet paper? Don't count on finding a roll, let alone multiple back ups, stored on the roller. And there usually are rollers in the stall. Funny how that happens isn't it?

Maybe it's because people may abscond with a whole stash since disposable napkins, tissue paper, and the like are rare to find in Asian regions to begin with. Maybe it's because a lot of the plumbing systems aren't robust enough to flush any sort of paper, let alone the rough supposedly local toilet paper that probably isn't even engineered to disintegrate in the sewage.

In any case, toilet paper is not necessarily a stocked item. Of course, it depends on where you are and what kind of an establishment you are in. I've been to a five star restaurant in a modern building that has all the normal public restroom furnishings and decor; but it costs you a couple local coins to be given three pieces of toilet paper from the restroom attendant.

There are those adequately built and put the filled toilet paper dispenser at the entrance to the restrooms, vice the stalls, so if you didn't catch it or grab enough on your way in, you will find yourself half squatting with your pants bunched around your knee, wishing you have brought some of your own.

I'm lucky. I've been trained by my own mother from youth to anticipate these instances that are otherwise unexpected by many Western- or primarily North American- travelers. I still avoid squat toilets, but I never travel without a roll of toilet paper. The hotels that provide a miniature roll for the guests? I love them. As stingy as it seems to provide a mini-subset for the guest, those rolls are perfect for me to pack into my suitcase when I check out. Otherwise, I stock up on these. Charmin, for that alone, you have guaranteed my lifetime loyalty.

Men? If only you can appreciate how lucky you have it.

*gulp*

Thanks to my maternal grandmother and her cloth diapers and potty training, I have learned from a really really early age to hold it. Sometimes to the point of unhealthy.

But, it's an odd skill that comes in handy, especially as a female in Asia. Most of the modern buildings in Thailand has public restrooms as we know it in the States. But I still stick to the nice places like an expensive shopping center or a five start hotel lobby as much as possible.

Because no matter how clean and well maintained they are, even this partially-Asian-raised Asian balks upon finding this kind of a public toilet:


Keep in mind that this examplar is *very* pristine clean... I doubt you'll find one this well maintained in Thailand- because it was photographed in Singapore! The really old ones are dark, musky, moldy, and reeks of decades of urine. You might even find yourself sharing the stall with critters. It's not uncommon to see women start rolling up their pants before they even approach the restrooms.

They often do not have toilet paper in such stalls. Drugstores sell toilet/tissue packets specifically catered for women. Now, KY, you understand why I was stocking up in those travel rolls. I haven't had a need for them yet, but as I start traveling to the more remote regions, I can see myself preferring to do my business in the woods rather than the offered toilets.