The most basic things in life sometimes become the most challenging when traveling. In many parts of the world this includes the normally simple art of going to the toilet. Instead of entering the toilet to find a bowl with a cistern and seat, you see a strange piece of porcelain on the floor, with a bucket in the corner and a small scoop. More alarmingly there's no toilet paper in sight. What do you do???

The following tips aim to help and hopefully save you from making a mess of yourself in the process.

Types of toilets:

Squat toilets are common in many places in Asia. These come in many shapes and degrees of cleanliness. Examples include: a row of cubicles with half height partitions between them and an open trough of water running along the back connecting each stall "Starting blocks" - a porcelain bowl on the floor with designated place for your feet Elevated Starting blocks - as above, but raised hier for an extra degree of difficulty The Western/squat combo - a hybrid that looks like a western toilet except that the seat can be lifted (or sometimes there isn't one) and there are footmarks so that it can be used starter-block style A hole in a concrete slab or floorboards with a sheer drop underneath, sometimes straight into a river Toilets will generally have any combination of the following accessories: A normal flush mechanism a bucket with a smaller scoop inside under a tap A hose with a nozzle attached A waste paper basket or bin

How to use a squat toilet:

1. Spray or pour some of water into the bowl (this will make flushing later much easier)
2. (For beginners) Take off all clothes below the waistline and ideally hang them up – toilets are usually wet areas, so try not to get your clothes anywhere near the floor. If there's nowhere to hang your clothes, roll up the bottom of any long trousers and pull trousers and underwear to knee level.
3. Make sure any items in pockets are well secured and can't fall out
4. Stand with your feet apart and aim your bum over the hole. Yes this feels most undignified.
5. Relax... try not to think about it too much
6. If you didn't bring toilet paper:
   • If there is a hose - point this into the bowl and turn it on or test the pressure from the nozzle first - then wash backside using the hose and your left hand to dislodge any "bits"
   • If there's no hose: hold the scoop near your backside and scoop water with your other hand onto your backside - also use this hand to dislodge any bits.
7. Once finished - wipe as usual - place toilet paper into basket provided if there is one
8. Flush using normal mechanism, or scoop water with the scoop into the bowl until everything in the bowl disappears
9. Wash hands - if there's soap, use it
10. Use hand-sanitizer
11. later:
    • Don't eat using the left hand
    • Don't pass food with your left hand
    • Don't shake hands using the left hand

Some extra notes

• Asian toilets have very narrow pipes which can get blocked by toilet paper or any sanitary items. Throw such items in the waste paper basket which you'll normally find nearby instead
• Bring your own toilet paper or tissues. There usually isn't any provided.
• Hand sanitizer - at the very least this will give you reassurance as to your own hygiene
• In some department stores and on many trains, there are both western and squat toilets, though often the western toilets aren't as clean to use. Wipe down the seat first!
• Don't touch anything you don't have to
• On a daily basis millions of people have no option but to use facilities that are far worse than you're likely to ever encounter. Your worst encounters are likely to make some of the best travel stories for friends back home. Just save them for after dinner.