Here, let’s talk about something I still can’t get used to in Taiwan: squat toilets.
First, why does Taiwan have squat toilets? The widespread use of squat toilets in Taiwan can be traced back to the Japanese colonial period. At that time, much of Taiwan’s infrastructure and public health systems were introduced by Japan, and squat toilets were one of the main designs in use there. This design aligned with the lifestyle habits of Asians at the time. It was simple in structure, easy to clean, and very suitable for public settings.
Squat toilets are considered more hygienic because you don’t have to directly touch the toilet surface. As a result, schools, train stations, parks, and other public facilities in Taiwan adopted this design, and it has remained in use even as seated toilets became more common. In Taiwan, squat toilets are still often found, especially in remote areas, where they are the only option.
I still remember my first encounter with a squat toilet in Taiwan. I completely froze. Opening the door, I saw a white porcelain thing embedded in the ground and stood there dumbfounded: How do I even use this? Standing? Squatting? Which direction should I face? How am I supposed to handle this? What’s the correct procedure?
Many Taiwanese friends tell me that squat toilets are more hygienic, and some even prefer them. But every time I use a squat toilet, I can’t help but question their claims. Is it really more hygienic?
Let me explain why I have so many doubts.
Most of the time when I use a squat toilet, the sight is horrifying. Around the toilet, I’ve seen everything: urine, bloodstains, poop… in every imaginable form. I often wonder if I’m squatting the wrong way or if the person before me had some unusual anatomy. And don’t even get me started on the floor, which is always wet. Let’s not ask if it’s urine, because it doesn’t matter—whenever I use a squat toilet, my shoes inevitably step into that “wet and maybe urine” mess.
One time, I couldn’t hold it anymore and had no choice but to use a squat toilet. The real challenge began as soon as I stepped in! Using a squat toilet is truly an art.
First, you have to figure out which side is the front and which is the back. Otherwise, squatting in the wrong direction will make things even more awkward.
Then comes the balance challenge. While squatting, if the door doesn’t have a hook, your bag must not touch the floor, your clothes have to be lifted high, and your pants or skirt must avoid the ground—all while staying steady. Wearing high heels? That’s practically an Olympic-level event.
The hardest part for me, though, is controlling the flow—yes, your sphincter muscles. You need to control the speed of urination. If it’s too fast, it’ll splash onto your backside. Trust me, you don’t want that to happen because you don’t know what kind of liquid is splashing back. And if it’s a number two, all I can say is good luck. I’ve never had to do that in a squat toilet, but if you lose control, the splashback… might be quite a lot. 😅
Lastly, it’s a test of your eyes and nose. Between the poop smears on the edges, the wet floor, and the unique “aroma” of the toilet, it’s a full sensory challenge. Plus, you won’t know where to look. Looking straight ahead might mean losing your aim, but looking down increases the risk of splashback (which is why I strongly recommend wearing a mask).
I asked my friends why they think squat toilets are more hygienic, and they explained that it’s because there’s no direct contact with the toilet surface, reducing the risk of bacteria transmission. They also mentioned that squatting to defecate allows the rectum to straighten, supposedly helping to reduce constipation and hemorrhoids. While these scientific explanations sound convincing, for now, I’m still struggling to “gracefully squat” and “control the flow.” These benefits remain “locked skills” for me.
My attitude toward squat toilets has shifted from “terrified” to “acceptance,” but they are still not my go-to choice when I’m out and about. I do hope that more remote areas in Taiwan will have seated toilets in the future.
Lastly, here’s a guide on how to properly use a squat toilet for your reference:
Feel free to share your “first time” or any funny challenges you’ve had with toilets!