Thursday 25 October 2007

Toilets to inspire or fear

A common Malaysian toilet


The Malaysian government is at its wit’s end to ensure that public toilets and those of commercial establishments, particularly eating places are kept clean. Malaysians in general are embarrassingly incapable of using public toilets as they should be used. To counter negative impressions of foreign tourists, state-of-art toilets, costing RM 400,000 a piece were introduced in tourist hot-spots in Kuala Lumpur. But many KL residents were upset by the extravagance, protesting that the money could have been better spent elsewhere.


Launching of the state-of-art toilet in Kuala Lumpur recently



The interior



Air conditioning to provide comfort in tropical heat


Foreign tourists have complained of footprints on toilet seats, and wet floors. They perceive that many Malaysians have not quite got used to sitting while doing their business. However, it is more of fear of contracting infectious diseases from the seats that are used by so many people. Hence, the footprints.

Foreigners’ comments on Malaysians’ use of toilets:

  • WE westerners must be a bit gross: They do squat (over a “hole in the ground), and they wash instead of using toilet paper. That’s easier if you squat. Forcing them to climb toilet seats makes life difficult for them. Hence the “water everywhere”.
  • I encountered the “footprints on the seat” scenario when I was in Iraq with the US Army. Iraqis (and Malaysians, apparently) aren’t accustomed to sitting, and so squat with their feet firmly planted on the seat.
  • I understand that there are different ways to use the toilet… However, when I go into the lady’s restroom and find yellow sprinkles and brown smudges on the toilet seat, I feel ill. Why should I have to clean up after others just to relieve myself?

Still on the subject of toilets, there are some toilets in other parts of the world that apparently evoke emotions known only to those who use them.


Toilet bowls with flower motifs to inspire love of nature



Receptacle to inspire users to sing or whistle while evacuating liquid waste



Trust the Japanese to come up with an innovative design for use in our private moments




This Japanese high tech contraption would have frightened off many a potential user



A warning, particularly to boys to aim correctly



Wouldn't want to be looking over my shoulder constantly while doing it



Those with artistic inclinations would remain here longer than usual



Promoting togetherness




Pampering the ladies



Lovers of marine life would be pleased with the bowl on the left




Those with height disability would enjoy this


But the most expensive toilet in the world? The US 19 million space latrine that will be installed in the International Space Station in 2008. It’s a pity the Malaysian cosmonaut never got to use it.




Back to earth, how about Japan's smallest sub-atomic toilet in the world? Presumably only dust mites would appreciate the convenience.


Magnified 15,000 times its original size


And how would you like to live in a toilet-shaped house in south of Seoul? Built by the founding member of the World Toilet Association, Sim Jae-duck of South Korea, to commemorate their inaugural general assembly.


3 comments:

  1. i was looking for a pic. of a ridiculous toilet to post with my story and came across your post. thought i'd send you a link to the story. check it out if you've got some time and want a laugh.

    http://mystrangehumor.blogspot.com/2008/02/problem-with-trends-toilet-trends-that.html

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  2. lol i enjoed all of demm . . . . kira THE JAPANESE TOILET WHICH IS THE ONE WITH THE REMOTE WELL THAT ONE IS AN AUTOMATIC TOILET AND U CAN SPRAY WATER ON UR ASS AFTER THE POOP AND THEN U CAN PRESS THE DRY BUTTON THEN AIR WILL COME OUT really neat stuff and u dont need toilet paper 4 it

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  3. 敬爱的佛教信土:
    我是甲洞三宝寺 (暹廟) SAMNAK SAMBODHI BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION NO: 19-21 JALAN 38 TAMAN DESA JAYA KEPONG 52100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. 的理事, 当任此职多年, 对内的事務也一清二楚。

    最近, 在网络上看了PHRA PIYATHAMMO和尚和马华公会鸱唛区主席叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师的双方信件, 使我的内心久久不能平伏, 良心受到很大的譴責, 不吐訢不痛快, 所以我要誠恳的説:他叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)侓师叫外来的流流氓到三宝寺(暹廟)挑衅和尚打架及电招警方人员扣捕沙彌, 其嘲笑手法, 不外是要显示其权力, 而鞏固其职位, 以达到权力就是一切, 好让住持难堪, 自动離开, 方便行事……这种举动, 已间接的表逹其含意, 住持和尚兼顾问, 都无能为力,你们这些信徒能做什么?即使告马耒西亜佛教总会又能为难什么?这种心态, 的硧令人反感, 不是一个正信佛教者应有的行为。

    至今, 三宝寺的理事成员多数是其親戚, 这是实事, 加入会员需交RM100元费用,同时,必须经过叶金福(Yip Kum Fook)律师的同意,否则免談, 所以会员也不多。

    马华公会鹅唛区主席叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师,自控制三宝寺之後,把三宝寺(暹廟)当着私人產業,聘用和尚賺钱,利用佛教的道地为政治活动埸所,而处理三宝寺的钱财也不透明?这点,值得信众追问。马来西亚地擴人多,和尚也不缺乏,为什么不用本地和尚当任住持化缘,却偏偏劳心劳神,浪费签证费,交通费? 还要烦劳梹城佛总的推荐信, 向文化不同, 而語言又不通之千哩外囯缅旬和尚求助? 为什么….为什么? 只要我们用头脑想一想,便一日了然, 不必晝虎添足。

    叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak )律师说:欢迎任何人如有意见,可以电话03:62762369/0122039700 Email: YIPKUMFOOK@HOTMAIL.COM 戓到其马华公会鹅唛区会甲洞三宝寺及以下地圵:NO.2,B JALAN 53 TAMAN DESA JAYA KEPONG 52100 SELANGOR, MALAYSIA.討論, 我要老实的提醒大家, 最好不要一个去見他, 因为这个人狡滑, 笑裡藏刀, 很阴险, 出家人都不放在眼裡, 連TAMAN DAYA 52100 KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR. 众人的印度廟也敢放火燒, 利用权势把场地佔为己有, 由此可见, 他是何等的心毒? 还有现在三宝寺内, 各处都按裝计孔监视来人一举一动。

    目前, 三宝寺很多信徒及当地居民, 已经对叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak )律师不满, 但也不能做什么。他计划把三宝寺主席的职位轉给其子YIP JIUN HANN律师, 续承皇朝. 想近一部了觧詳情, 可上网得知。

    再说, 根据前理事在网络上给叶金福(Yip Kum Fook, MCA Gombak)律师的批評, 説他懂得包裝自己的道德守则, 以宗教为幌子手, 到处募款, 啇業经营, 政治活动为重, 并没依循佛教守則行事, 也没对人道作出貢献, 只不过借三宝寺宗教之名捞取权和私利而己, 其言也不为过, 是实事。

    在此, 我恳切希望, 廣大的佛教信仰者, 给予关注, 并共創義举, 弘扬佛教. 谢谢。

    Mr Lim Sok Chia敬啟
    Ms Yap

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