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Comment by s_henry_paulson | Hacker News Reader

From what I read on the internet 25-40% of people out there seem to stand up to wipe.. and I have to believe that's largely due to people never discussing how they use the restroom.

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No, they stand because that part of the world is used to squatting when they go to the bathroom. The "toilet as throne" model is from the west. Over there, historically, toilets are built into the floor. The toilet bowl is a rounded-rectangle depression in the floor rather than something that sticks out of it. You stand with one foot on either side of the bowl and squat while you do your business.

I prefer Western toilets (I'm American), but think the squat-strategy has a lot of sense to it: you never touch anything, and the squat position angles your body "just right" if you know what I mean. It's just a bit awkward for us (Westerners) when you're not used to holding that body position, though.

There, now I can cross off "get into public internet discussion of pooping strategy" from my life goals list. :)

When I first started using toilets on my own I stood to wipe. Eventually I figured out that I could remain seated.

This was on a western toilet.

I've transitioned into a bit of a hybrid strategy. Sit for the broad strokes, stand for the detail work.

HN is truly insightful today ;).

Leg and arm fat is also part of this equation. Many people can't really to a full job while sitting.

Squatting is the anatomically correct position for a bowel movement; it straightens out the kink in the colon and makes the whole process more efficient. It's also supposed to be better for bowel health -- leads to less straining and fewer hemorrhoids and such.

To that end, there are several companies out there that sell stepstools designed to allow squatting with western toilets. The first one I saw was the Lilipad, made in New Zealand, and more recently a company called Squatty Potty has started making them in the US.

This has been discussed many times on Reddit, and there are many, many people in the USA who stand up to wipe.

I've never personally used a Japanese toilet, so I'm genuinely interested: if you say your feet are to either side of the bowl, where do your lowered pants end up? Won't they be in the way?

I've been using them for a year in Japan, so there: You don't sit squarely on them (I don't know where you got the notion that your feet are on either side of the bowl), your feet are in front of the bowl, with the lowered pants in between. The pants are obviously below the opening of the bowl, so they don't get in the way.

I don't know where you got the notion that your feet are on either side of the bowl

From the parent.

You stand with one foot on either side of the bowl and squat

Is there an easier way to wipe?

Easier is subjective. The alternative OP is suggesting is sitting on the toilet and reaching between your legs. Personally, I find it easier to stand up, bend over and reach from behind.

Nay. Reaching between your legs? I'd honestly never even thought that was an option.

You just lean to the side, while seated. Just try it once, and keep an open mind.

But that will put asymmetric stress on the toilet seat. As an engineer, wearing out one side of the seat more than the other bothers me.

Rotate your tires, as it were.

Well it's my understanding that it's more hygienic for women to wipe front to back, which is easier to do when you're not still sitting on the seat.

Lot's of people also don't look at the toilet paper after they wipe, to be sure they got everything. I believe this also stems from people not discussing their bathroom habits.

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