It is not a Potty . . .

Sometime last winter, Keylime and I had a discussion (OK, well she told me) that I wasn't allowed to use the word "potty" any more.  She was too big for me to use this word anymore.  So I listened carefully to her request and then each time I had to refer to that activity I would make sure to include the word Potty (as many times as possible) just to get a rise out of her.  It worked.   M too.  (What can I say, we can't help it.  We were born this way!) 

We used that word regularly, that is UNTIL, we told her the word they use in Singapore.  Is it bathroom?  Is it restroom?   Is it facilities?  No, no, no . . . it is toilet.   That is right, TOILET !   All the time, this is the common word that is used.  If you say "excuse me, where is the restroom?" you may not get the right answer since that word doesn't make sense to many.  Toilet!  Keylime cannot believe this and is pretty sure her dad is making this up.  That is until we arrived here.  To her dismay, the word toilet is used all the time.  It is the only word to use.  This felt really weird at first but now all of us are dropping the word toilet like it is no big deal.  See, we are fast learners!   

Now that we are on the subject of toilets.  (Honestly, I never thought I would say or type that sentence.)  There are other differences.  First, in Singapore, the public restrooms, out and about, are probably some of the cleanest I have ever seen.  There have only been on or two that have been awful.  And we have become toilet experts (it is important to be good at something, right?) since well, we are out and about all the time, and between us we are always in need.  They are everywhere and clean (unlike Beijing, in both ways.)  Many restaurants don't have their own toilets, but there would be a central one for a mall or area of stores that you can use.  Some of the toilets in the malls are downright pretty with nice tile and artwork.  Some toilets have common shared sinks for the men and the women.  The girls think this is funny to share sinks.  Until, they went to a Wendy's nearby . . .

One toilet area with three stalls.  One for Gents and two for Ladies.  The girls couldn't believe it.  Two shared sinks. All in the same room.  (Seriously,what is the matter with me.  I am now taking pictures in a toilet to share with you.  Sorry, you are stuck with me!)

In Singapore, some of the toilets are like we have at home, higher standing porcelain ones.  Usually about half the stalls have squat toilets.  These are flat to the ground porcelain ones and well I think you can figure out how it is used.  In Beijing, almost all the toilets were squat toilets, very few like we have at home.  That was kinda interesting. 

If we were giving awards for the funniest toilet award of our trip.  I think it would be when we were heading to an S-League Football game.  It was in a local neighborhood and there were local shops and food stalls around.  We found a toilet and as we were walking into it, we see a table set up outside the door.  It has some 10-cent coins on it.  Then I am greeted by a friendly face who points and says the toilet is 10 cents to use.  So I go back to M who has the backpack and dig for coins (she doesn't make change).  Success.  We find two 10-cent coins for Tie Dye and me.  Right as I am walking into a stall, I realize there is no toilet paper.  Let me explain, this isn't a situation where the toilet paper has run out.  There is NO toilet paper in the stall, no holder, no rolls, no nothing.  Ummm, what?  I go back out to check the other areas and then I see this . . .

that's right, a toilet paper dispenser. 

Insert 10 cents and out it comes. 

So there was an entry fee and then a supply fee, I guess.   

For future postings, I will try to restrain myself and stay off this subject!