Rating scales are really useful. We use them to decide where to stay, what to eat, which sights to see. On a recent trip to China, ratings were used to decide whether or not to “go”. Our group quickly determined not all Chinese bathroom facilities are created equal and a rating system was necessary. The rating determination was delegated to the neediest one in line, and then communicated to the rest of us.
The criteria were not always straightforward and sometimes became complicated. First of all, Western vs. Eastern? Clean, as in when was the last time the floor was washed. Third, toilet paper? Attendants? Self-flushing? Was the door designed for a tiny Chinese or a normal-sized American? Was there a door?
We traveled from misty, green karst-landscaped Guilin to quaint ancient Dali to pristine Lijiang. Coping with situations from sea level to 10,000 feet honed our rating skills. On Jade Dragon Snow Mountain an interesting tiled throne room offered breathtaking views over the Tibetan plateau. In colorful Guiyang a trip to the restaurant facilities could be hijacked by singing waitresses pouring wine down one’s throat from little gourds. Queuing and privacy are foreign concepts in a country of over a billion people, so public bathrooms presented an additional challenge from hotels and tourist destinations. Regardless of the difficulties, investigations continued and eventually a rating system evolved.
5 Stars: Western commode, working flush mechanisms, toilet paper, washing sink with soap and towels.
4.5 Stars: Western with flushing mechanism, lacking one or more of the above extras.
4 Stars: Western commode lacking all of the above extras.
3 Stars: Eastern (squat) toilet, with clean porcelain, attendant always washing floors, working flushing mechanisms. Toilet paper is generally unknown—always bring your own.
2 Stars: Usable, but not before rolling up pant legs or wrapping skirt around one’s waist. After retrieving toilet paper from pocket, remember the handiwipes in the purse.
1 Star: Only for the desperate or those of us with aging control.
0 Stars: Find a bush.
For a complete description of a wonderful two weeks in Yunnan province see www.dreammaker.org
Hi there, I just finished reading some of your posts and found you to be quite informative. Thanks.
Save your money. This toilet, 8 times out of 10 has to be flushed twice just to get paper to go down and it is the worst ever to clean. Where the water flushes through is impossible to clean and the bowl always looks dirty. I don’t know if they forgot to put some kind of sealer on it or what. I never thought I would hate a toilet but I do.
When shopping for a toilet, don’t assume that a high price tag assures top performance. Among single- and dual-flush models, our top overall scorers were priced about midway in the group.
This toilet backs up all the time. It can not handle anymore than a few sheets of toilet paper. We live at the mercy of a plunger. Because it is water efficient, there isn’t much to help waste go down, so it needs to be cleaned after every two or three uses. It always looks dirty. It’s appeal is that is better for the environment, but I’m sorry, it is not worth it. We just got this a few months ago and we are already buying a traditional one to replace it.
Not sure but this might be a knock off. The more expensive one screwed together, but this one just pushes together and the toilet paper holder inside had badly cut ends like a child had done it. Works fine, but I think there is a reason why this one is discounted. Bummer.