Eye on Digital China

Eye on Digital China

Squat or Sit? China's Great Toilet Debate and the Problem of Footprints on the Seat

From squatting to standing on seats: the messy reality of sitting toilets in Beijing malls.

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Manya Koetse
Mar 25, 2025
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FROM THE WEIBO WATCH PREMIUM NEWSLETTER

Shoe prints on top of the toilet seat are never a pretty sight. To prevent people from squatting over Western-style sitting toilets, there are some places that will place stickers above the toilet, reminding people that standing on the seat is strictly forbidden.

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