Topics: Bathrooms in Korea

For those of you who are unaware, Korea still primarily has “squat toilets,” which are basically a ceramic hole in the ground that you “squat” over to do your business. As part of Korea’s rapid modernization over the last few decades, Western “sit-type” toilets have been installed in modern buildings, department stores, and restaurants catering to Western tourists and teachers. However, most older buildings (which are cheaper for hagwons to rent) have not been converted. They likely won’t be, as Koreans see a functional system already in place, and don’t see any need to “waste” the money. In a few decades when these buildings are demolished, the new builds will be modern. But I won’t be here.

There is a waste basket next to the toilet. This is for used paper. Yeah, I make the same face. After you finish…using the paper…if there is paper…you deposit it into the basket. Many people have told me that the plumbing systems weren’t designed for paper disposal, so those who use it must use the basket.

You may see the same two problems in the previous paragraph that I keep coming back to. 1. If poo will go down, surely biodegradable paper will. 2. Those who use it. Yeah, there are people who don’t. Which brings me to my next point. If you want toilet paper, you must bring it with you, as this is often another cost the building owners don’t want to take on. There are actually vending machines outside the bathrooms in subway stations and department stores that sell packets of tissue for your use. (They also sell other hygiene-related products, from breath mints to condoms.)

So you must enter the bathroom prepared.

After your toilet business in concluded, you go to the sink and use soap (of questionable effectiveness) and cold water to wash your hands. They don’t know what a “paper towel” is here, and are mostly appalled when you suggest a disposable hand-drying solution. So, often there is no way to dry yours hands except by wiping them on your dirty clothes. The really nice department stores like Dong-A and Debec have UV light or quick-air dryers, but at most places (including my schools) you are out of luck.

And how do you accomplish the “act” while using a squat toilet? There are two main skills you must master: balance and aim. In the absence of one or both of these skills, you must be able to remember to pull up your pant legs (while pulling down the rest), and not to wear sandals. :)

At my schools: