For
instance, all the names we have for bathroom business. One trip with me and
you'll learn we have a "code" for a potty stop. T.E.O. is short for
"Tinkle Every Opportunity". I'm writing this while touring Thailand.
Our tour guide calls it the "Happy Room". But she said the local Thai
people would be more familiar with women announcing "I'm going to the
jungle to pick some flowers." For the men, just say "I need to shoot
the rabbit", which is their version of "going to see a man about a
horse" and makes as much sense.
I've
already made some memories while picking flowers in the jungle. Our flight to
Bangkok went through Tokyo. Husband Doug thought I'd gotten lost but I came out
with a story complete with photos. Listen to this- there was an arm rest on one
side of the stool. With a push of a button, I could heat my seat, add spray to
my stay-bidet style, or another button which kinda looked like the washer for
your windshield. I was scared to try it. Another button offered a musical note
and even had a volume adjustment. Just when I was sure there was karaoke in my
stall, I noticed the tiny print that read "Flushing Sound." This was
way more sophisticated than just the two flush move in America.
There were some additional features that included
"Powerful Deodorizer" and "Water Pressure" but I had
already overstayed a proper visit. I was exiting the ladies room when I noticed
on the handicapped stall was a second sign for " Elder". The wheelchair
I recognized, the "elder" was a person leaning on a stick, or holding
themselves until they could get to the happy room. The small gathering of women
present in the potty agreed it was a good idea and we needed those in the
states.
I remember
in China, our guide used the term "going to sing a song in the
happy room". We all giggled when she said it not believing that anyone
could be so modest about a normal human function, especially in a country that
they all hang their undies on sticks out their windows. She even rated the toilets,
a five star had western style stools with tissue. Needless to say, hovering
over a hole didn't earn many stars. We learned to never "go sing"
without being prepared with "sheet music"!
On our
Japan Air flight there was a little sign that I have seen before where there
are lots of Asian visitors. The logo is the big red circle with a line drawn
through it over the image of a person squatting on the toilet. The multiple
languages included English stating, "Do not stand on toilet seat". I can't
speak for others but when I finally break down and make that little trip to
that tiny closet of a restroom on an airplane, I just hope I can be good to go
without adding any gymnastics to the routine.
I paid
five bahts to get happy somewhere north of Bangkok. That's about 14 cents. It
wasn't the high rise western stool, but the ceramic hole that makes us American
gals understand why they wear skirts over here or at least wish we had stayed
with the yoga. There was a bucket and a dipper for DIY flushing. I would have
gladly paid more to sing and get happy. Just sayin'.
