Chinese Toilets are WILD!

serpentza
5 Mar 202110:32
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script is a candid critique of the appalling state of public restrooms in China, contrasting the country's technological advancements with its shockingly poor sanitation practices. Through vivid descriptions and compelling footage, the narrator exposes the widespread lack of hygiene, highlighting the prevalence of pit toilets, absence of toilet paper, and unsanitary conditions. While acknowledging China's progress, the narrator calls for improvement in public facilities, emphasizing that a society's toilets reflect its priorities. The script aims to raise awareness and advocate for cleaner, more hygienic public restrooms across China.

Takeaways
  • 😷 Public restrooms and toilets in China, even in major cities, often lack basic hygiene and cleanliness standards compared to other countries.
  • 🚽 Pit toilets are very common across China, including in public spaces, and are preferred by many Chinese people over Western-style toilets.
  • 🚰 Public restrooms in China frequently lack toilet paper and other basic amenities, requiring individuals to bring their own supplies.
  • πŸ€” There is a stark contrast between China's embrace of advanced technology and its lack of progress in improving public sanitation facilities.
  • πŸ‘Ά It is still common practice in China for parents and grandparents to allow children to urinate or defecate in public spaces, such as drains or trash bins.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Chinese public restrooms often have bins filled with soiled tissues, as toilet paper cannot be flushed due to the limitations of the sanitation system.
  • 🏰 Even in seemingly upscale or modern establishments like gas stations or hotels, the state of public restrooms can be shockingly poor.
  • πŸ’” The author loves China and its people but feels compelled to criticize the country's shortcomings in public hygiene and sanitation.
  • 🌍 The state of public restrooms can be seen as a reflection of a society's values and priorities regarding cleanliness and hygiene.
  • 🚧 Improving public restroom facilities and changing societal attitudes towards hygiene and sanitation practices remains a challenge for China.
Q & A
  • What was the main focus of the video script?

    -The video script focused on the poor sanitation conditions and lack of hygiene in public restrooms across China, despite the country's technological advancements in other areas.

  • What are pit toilets, and why are they common in China?

    -Pit toilets are a type of toilet where waste is collected in a pit or hole in the ground. They are common in China as they are preferred by most Chinese people, who grew up using them, and are considered more hygienic by some as you don't have to sit on a seat.

  • Why do some parents in China prefer their children to urinate or defecate in public areas like drains or trash bins?

    -Some parents and grandparents in China prefer their children to relieve themselves in public areas because they believe diapers are bad for the child's health, and the public restrooms are often in such poor condition that they would rather avoid using them.

  • What contrasts did the author highlight between China's technological advancements and its sanitation practices?

    -The author contrasted China's embrace of new technologies like cashless payments, smart cities, and surveillance with its medieval practices of public defecation and lack of proper sanitation facilities, calling it a "backward sanitation system" beneath the "shiny, high-tech" outer image.

  • Why do public restrooms in China often lack toilet paper?

    -Public restrooms in China often lack toilet paper because it tends to get stolen by the "lost generation" (likely referring to the older generation or those who are less well-off).

  • How did the author's experience with public restrooms in other countries compare to those in China?

    -The author contrasted his experiences with public restrooms in China with those in other countries like Japan, the United States, and South Africa, where he found the facilities to be much cleaner and better-equipped, with amenities like toilet paper and high-tech bidets.

  • What did the author suggest about the state of public restrooms being reflective of a society?

    -The author suggested that public restrooms can tell a lot about a society, as they are "the great equalizer" where people from all walks of life converge, providing a "no-nonsense look" at the society's values and priorities.

  • What did the author say about his love for China despite criticizing its public restroom conditions?

    -The author acknowledged his love for China and its people, stating that it is "self-evident" from his videos, but he also felt it necessary to criticize China's public restroom conditions where it needs improvement.

  • What challenges did the author mention regarding improving public restroom conditions in China?

    -The author mentioned the challenges posed by the "lost generation" and the general lack of care for public facilities, as well as the littering and maintenance issues that contribute to the poor state of public restrooms in China.

  • What was the author's overall message or call to action regarding public restrooms in China?

    -The author's overall message was a direct call for China to catch up and improve the hygiene and conditions of its public restrooms, which he described as "disgusting" and worse than most other parts of the world he has visited.

Outlines
00:00
🚽 The Unsettling Reality of Public Restrooms in China

The video showcases a disturbing example of a small restaurant in China where the kitchen, cooking area, and toilet are combined in the same unsanitary space. This phenomenon, though shocking, is not uncommon in certain parts of China, even in relatively developed cities. The narrator highlights that while China is technologically advanced, many public restrooms remain in appalling conditions, lacking basic hygiene and amenities like toilet paper. This stark contrast between modernity and outdated sanitation practices is a notable issue across the country.

05:03
πŸ§’ The Cultural Practices of Public Urination and Split Pants

The video delves into the prevalent cultural practices in China surrounding public urination and the use of split pants for infants and young children. Many Chinese parents and grandparents, especially in rural areas, encourage their children to urinate or defecate in public spaces, such as drains or trash bins. This behavior is facilitated by the design of infant clothing with a split at the back, allowing easy access for elimination. While this practice is rooted in traditional beliefs about diaper usage and health concerns, it presents a stark contrast with China's embrace of advanced technologies and modernization in other aspects of life.

10:03
🚻 A Call for Improvement in China's Public Restroom Facilities

In the concluding section, the narrator expresses their love for China and its people but offers a critiquing perspective on the country's public restroom facilities. They highlight the discrepancy between China's technological advancements and the lack of progress in maintaining hygienic and well-equipped public restrooms. Drawing comparisons with other countries, the narrator emphasizes the need for China to catch up and improve the conditions of its public restrooms, which serve as a reflection of the society. The video ends with a plea for China to address this issue, while also showcasing footage of cleaner facilities in shopping malls to provide a balanced view.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Hygiene
Hygiene refers to practices and conditions that promote and preserve health, especially through cleanliness. The video discusses the lack of hygiene in public toilets across China, criticizing their poor and unsanitary state. Examples include toilets with food preparation areas, soiled tissues in open bins, and a general lack of cleanliness and facilities like toilet paper.
πŸ’‘Public toilets
Public toilets are restroom facilities available for use by the general public. The video extensively showcases the abysmal condition of public toilets in China, highlighting them as a reflection of the country's sanitation standards. Examples given include toilets at gas stations, restaurants, and even in Beijing being poorly maintained and lacking basic amenities.
πŸ’‘Pit toilets
Pit toilets, also known as outhouses or latrines, are a type of toilet system where human waste is collected in a hole or pit instead of being flushed away. The video notes that pit toilets are prevalent across China, even in major cities, as they are the preferred type for most Chinese people due to traditional habits and perceived hygiene benefits.
πŸ’‘Lost generation
The term 'lost generation' refers to the elderly population in China who grew up during periods of poverty and lack of education. The video suggests that this generation often disregards hygiene practices, such as stealing toilet paper from public restrooms, which contributes to their poor condition.
πŸ’‘Backward sanitation
Backward sanitation refers to outdated or underdeveloped practices related to cleanliness and waste management. The video contrasts China's embrace of advanced technology with its persistent use of 'medieval' or backward sanitation practices, such as public defecation, lack of toilet paper, and inability of toilets to handle flushed waste.
πŸ’‘Societal reflection
The video suggests that public toilets serve as a 'great equalizer' and can reveal insights into a society's overall standards and priorities. The poor condition of public toilets in China is presented as a reflection of broader societal issues related to hygiene, maintenance, and attitudes towards public facilities.
πŸ’‘Cultural practices
Cultural practices refer to traditions, customs, and behaviors that are deeply ingrained within a society or community. The video highlights certain Chinese cultural practices, such as split pants for infants to enable open defecation, and beliefs that diapers are unhealthy, as contributing factors to the country's sanitation challenges.
πŸ’‘Littering
Littering refers to the act of improperly disposing of waste or carelessly leaving behind trash in public spaces. The video links China's littering problem to the poor maintenance and lack of care for public toilets, suggesting a broader societal issue with respect for shared facilities and spaces.
πŸ’‘Contrast
Contrast refers to the striking difference or opposition between two things. The video frequently highlights the contrast between China's modern, high-tech image and its backward sanitation practices, presenting it as a paradox or incongruity that needs to be addressed.
πŸ’‘Criticism
Criticism refers to the expression of disapproval or negative judgement towards something. While expressing love for China and its people, the video offers direct criticism of the country's public toilet conditions and related hygiene practices, calling for improvements and catching up with global standards.
Highlights

This is a disgusting kitchen where the toilet and cooking area are combined, with vegetables and eggs ready to be prepared.

This was not an isolated incident, as the speaker has seen similar situations in provincial cities like Qingyuan in Guangdong province.

Pit toilets are common across Asia and China, even in major cities like Beijing.

Pit toilets are preferred by many Chinese people as they are considered more hygienic since you don't sit on a seat.

Public toilets can reveal a lot about a society and its standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

Even at a seemingly normal gas station, the bathroom can be shockingly filthy and smelly.

China embraces new technology but still practices medieval standards of personal hygiene, like allowing children to urinate and defecate in public.

It's common to see babies' pants split at the back for easy access, and diapers are uncommon due to traditional beliefs.

Despite China's advanced technology and monitoring systems, the sanitation system is backward, with toilets unable to accept tissue paper or toilet paper.

Public bathrooms in China rarely have toilet paper, forcing people to bring their own tissues.

Even hotels sometimes lack toilet paper, creating an inconvenient situation for travelers.

The speaker loves China and its people but criticizes the poor state of public toilets and hygiene habits.

Public toilets in other countries like Japan, the US, and South Africa are generally better maintained and equipped with toilet paper.

China needs to improve its public bathrooms and address the lack of maintenance and littering issues.

The speaker aims to balance the critique by showing footage of clean shopping malls in China.

Transcripts
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