Posted by
Scatbug on Sunday, June 22, 2008 1:27:05 PM
There's simply no denying it. Those Chicoms know their...uh...pooh pooh. From Reuters:
BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing has dispatched 8,000 toilet maintenance staff, each responsible for a specific public restroom in the city and trained in hygiene standards and techniques, Olympic knowledge and practical English expressions, Xinhua said on Friday.
There will be selective inspections every week and the results will be posted on the website of the Municipal Utilities Administration Commission, said the news agency.
The city was also struggling with which style of commode would be best, noting Westerners prefer seated toilets, which are more comfortable and convenient for the elderly or infirm.
The squat toilets widely used in Chinese public facilities are considered more hygienic as there is no direct contact with body, it said.
In an effort to accommodate Western tastes and demonstrate tolerance for cultural differences, Chinese officials scrapped plans for a series of squat toilet facilities formed in the pattern of the iconic Olympic rings. However, they expressed confidence that athletes, reporters and visitors of all backgrounds would enjoy the adequately stocked magazine racks and red toilet paper (non-transferring dye).
Some of the "practical English expressions" that the highly trained restroom staff will employ include:
- High fiber breakfast is better
- The People are pleased with your success
- Obama OK! (w/"thumbs up")
- General Tso, is that you? (w/good natured laughter)
- Tibet Chinese. Always Chinese.
Let the games begin!