View Full Version : Toilet etiquette and other miscellaneous bits of information sought...
So, I'm off to Indonesia in a week or so's time and feeling pretty ready (been waiting a while for the visa to come through!), all the injections have been done etc!
And now just idly wondering about the whole toilet thing...
I understand many are squat toilets, which is fine, and that they don't usually use toilet paper. You wash yourself with water instead, with the left hand, isn't it? So is there provided a container to fill with the water to take in the cubicle? And how do you dry off afterwards? Carry around a piece of cloth for this purpose? Drip dry? Or?
Forewarned is forearmed n all that!
Oh, what voltage are the sockets there? Same or different from the ones in England?
How expensive are mobile phone simcards? Do you get contracts or pay as you go?
Cheers,
Lizzie.
First of all:
Living at high end neighborhood or low end ? Jakarta or other place ?
If you live at high end neighbourhood, dont worry about toilet stuff, the worse, no toilet paper but there are some manual/automatic water splasher. Toilet paper are always provided with soaps at washtafel/washing hand area
Low End, always bring your own wet and dry toilet paper.
Not all toilet are squat, I usually prefer the sitting one and in almost any place I go, they have one there. Voltage is 220V. Mobile Simcards are pretty cheap, you could get it around 10K rupiah, 25K, or up till few millions if you are highly superstitious in number ( note, 1 Usd = about 10K Rupiah, currently its flowing between 1 USD = 9500-9600 Rupiah). Thats the prepaid cards, you may need some local helps to register the numbers. OR, you could also register for monthly installment whereby they charge you at the end of the month.
For Simcards, if you are a big fans of internet and Blackberry, use XL or Axis....
citizen smith
14-06-10, 06:20
Axis is OK in the cities but no good elsewhere. XL is far better but you may have trouble with international calls.
Anything by Telkom or Indosat will work better.
Rp5,000 is the correct price but many smaller shops will charge you whatever they think they can get.
For SIM cards I have main number from Telkomsel which works anywhere in Indo and roams internationally. I also have a '3' SIM because that gives me virtually unlimited international calls for Rp100k per month.
Sorry to jump in but the '3' sim card you use for international calls...is it pre or post paid?
3 is a prepaid but there may be a post paid available.
You will find (If you have a smart phone) skype is a good bet to make cheap calls to computer users abroad.
Anyway my in this thread isn't the phones but the more basic funtions.
I, being a lowlife mannerless animal, know much of the finer points of excretion and the practice of such on squat bogs.
Here's a thread I started on another forum.
One of the most important things a new traveler to Asia has to consider is having a poo. This essential element of any holiday is so often ignored by the major travel writers.
This is a sad omission I will correct now.
The most awkward thing a new visitor has to contend with is the squat bog.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e294/realindonesia/squat.jpg
As you can see from this example of a crapper in a petrol station, you don‘t sit down at all.
To use one, I find it best to completely remove your trousers and underwear before squatting down and pooing your funky stuff. New visitors to Asia often find a greater need for being close to a toilet after eating spicy food. Because you will have to remove your trousers, it’s better not to leave things until the last moment. The laundry services may not be keen on serving you if you leave things late.
These squat toilets sometimes have an arse hose to clean the clingy bits away but most just have a container of water and a scoop. The idea is you splash water on your arse and use your left hand to scrape away any loose offerings. Many westerners find this a bit off putting so I usually suggest having a pack of soft table napkins with you at all times. These napkins are also handy when eating with your hands as the restaurants usually provide just a few very thin tissues and double up very nicely as arse wipes.
It is not advisable to but really rough, very cheap or thin ones.
Public toilets rarely have soap to wash your hands so it’s a good idea to have some in your day bag. I usually pinch the small ones from hotel bathrooms.
Almost all expensive hotels have sit down toilets but cheaper hotels and toilet umen (Public toilets) are squats. Newer shopping centers usually have some of both but older places, usually just squats.
The best and cleanest public toilets are in Pertamina petrol stations but many other ones are quite good. Unlike in Malaysia, I have yet to find a poo encrusted, seriously disgusting one but there is time yet.
Finally it’s worth noting that, unlike in the west, many restaurants don’t have toilets. If you think you may need an anal evacuation, best to go before you eat.
It’s very common for western travelers to get themselves invited into homes out here especially if you wander away from tourist traps. A typical Indonesian home or cheap hotel bathroom will be equipped with a squat bog and a large, square water holder. I have heard of westerners trying to take a bath inside the container. The idea is you use the scoop to pour cold water on yourself. Don’t worry about getting the bathroom wet, it’s a wet room so no problem.
With that, I hope this will help you when you first come across an Asian toilet and bathroom.
Enjoy your travels,
Mr Fred.
That was heavily edited and there have been additions and many corrections since.
It may also be worth noting that a goos cure for constipation (Other than Indonesian sambal) is an earthquake. I was sat having an evacuation (MY gawd that was subtle) when I felt my first one. Only a 5.2 but the western style bog I was on shook around like a fairground ride. No turtling that evening.
Try reading this. Ignore the sheep and the nicely rounded lady's bottoms to see what Indonesia is like.
http://teakdoor.com/indonesia-forum/65936-freds-thread.html
You will find (If you have a smart phone) skype is a good bet to make cheap calls to computer users abroad.
not supported on Blackberrys yet. :(
Try reading this. Ignore the sheep and the nicely rounded lady's bottoms to see what Indonesia is like.
http://teakdoor.com/indonesia-forum/65936-freds-thread.html
That is simply excellent Mas Fred. I think you should have the same thread here. Of course you should remember that unlike that place this forum here is rated PG-13 and work-safe, so the naughtiness should be toned down or made obscure.
That is simply excellent Mas Fred. I think you should have the same thread here. Of course you should remember that unlike that place this forum here is rated PG-13 and work-safe, so the naughtiness should be toned down or made obscure.
I think you'll find there is good reason why he has not done a thread like that over here...
I think you'll find there is good reason why he has not done a thread like that over here...
If he can make the thread presentable to a 13-year old kid, then I don't see why it can't be done here.
Kingwilly, there is also Kingwilly in Mas Fred's thread there, is he the same u ..?
Originally Posted by kingwilly
I think you'll find there is good reason why he has not done a thread like that over here...
If he can make the thread presentable to a 13-year old kid, then I don't see why it can't be done here.
A few reasons but what the hell.
Now it's on the other forum it may not be good etiquette to post it here as well. A carbon copy of the thread (with changes to suit) is on another forum (UK) but that's closed to non members.
It was started on that forum for a number of reasons but it would be a bugger to copy anyway. Way too much of it.
Kingwilly, there is also Kingwilly in Mas Fred's thread there, is he the same u ..?
The Thailand forum king willy is gay and has several other forum IDs. he has bad breath as well as being so ugly professional ladies (The sort with sausages) tell him to get lost..
So the spitting image of our forums KW then. Kind of a parallel worlds at work.
And 36,000 posts!!!
Does this primate have time for tree-swinging?
Hombre de Maiz
14-06-10, 20:44
...and for studying for a "life experience" advanced degree?
Gotta admit there's something to be said for Mr. Fred. Unlike many expats here, he does not appear to live in a bule bubble.
A few reasons but what the hell.
Now it's on the other forum it may not be good etiquette to post it here as well. A carbon copy of the thread (with changes to suit) is on another forum (UK) but that's closed to non members.
It was started on that forum for a number of reasons but it would be a bugger to copy anyway. Way too much of it.
Yeah, to copy it verbatim would be too much work, but at least you can start a fresh one here. That place is about Thailand and this place is about Indonesia, so I think the Thai guys wouldn't mind terribly.
And 36,000 posts!!!
Does this primate have time for tree-swinging?
He seems to be very productive on that other tree, but he also seems to have enemies.
...and for studying for a "life experience" advanced degree?
.
That's the good thing about a Life Experience degree, you dont have to study for it or do extra work, you get credit for eveything you've already done. includin posting in forums.
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