Home Gudgeon and gist Language Log Toilet revolution!, part 2

Toilet revolution!, part 2

Language Log 2018-11-23

Why China still needs one, and Chairman Xi keeps calling for a profound transformation of toilet etiquette:

The sign says:

běn cèsuǒ yǐjīng jiāqiáng qīngjié qǐng ānxīn shǐyòng mǎtǒng zuòdiàn

本厕所已经加强清洁 请安心使用马桶坐垫

This restroom has undergone enhanced cleansing; Please feel at ease to use the toilet seat.

In other words, don't do your business on the floor / ground, which is a widespread phenomenon in China.

Another problem is that it is very common for people in China to stand on the toilet when they do their business.  That's probably because:

1. many people are used to squat toilets, so when faced with a Western style throne, they feel more comfortable climbing up on it and assuming their usual posture

2. they can't bear the thought of sitting on a filthy toilet seat

So you will often see signs of this type in Chinese restrooms:

wénmíng rú cè fāngbiàn nǐ wǒ kǒng fáng yìwài qǐng wù cǎità

文明如厕 方便你我 恐防意外 请勿踩踏

Being civilized* in the restroom, Is convenient** for you and me; To prevent an accident, Please don't step on [the toilet].

—

*Appeals for civilized use of restroom facilities are typical on signage.

**Long-term readers of Language Log know well that, when it comes to toilet etiquette, fāngbiàn 方便 ("convenience") is a loaded word, so to speak (see especially the 3rd [for its Sanskrit antecedents] and 9th posts listed below).

Readings

[Thanks to Mark Swofford, Zeyao Wu, and Qing Liao]