The Discriminator

 A Step By Step Guide To Bathroom Segregation


 

Last weekend we decided to go shopping in Daegu.  Daegu is South Korea's third largest city.  Upon arrival at the bus station we decided to use the toilets before getting a taxi.  I was debating whether to bring my camera on this trip.  Little did I know that The Discriminator was waiting for me. 

Dictionary.com defines discrimination as:

"Treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit."

STEP 1- Separate men and women (Sometimes they skip this step in Korean restrooms.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men on the left and women on the right.  Notice that you can still see in.

STEP 2- Have a special stall for foreigners

Not sure if it's a better stall or worse because it's in use.

STEP 3- Brace yourself because you've just experienced The Discriminator!

There's a 0% chance of falling at this sink.

The Porthole Potty

On a Sunday afternoon we went to a great little restaurant in Jinju. It serves delicious nangmyeong (iced noodles) and bibimbap (mixed vegetables).  It also has a unisex toilet with porthole windows in the stall doors.  I tried to grab as many photos as I could but it was busy and two old ladies came in just as I started snapping photos.  In Korea unisex bathrooms are used by both sexes at the same time.  So beware ladies you might walk in on a dude peeing or looking at you through the porthole in the stall.

Great food including raw beef bibimbap

A plastic flower door

Eye see you! I guess an "occupied" sign won't do.

It's like sitting on a couch.

Soap on a stick is pretty standard but here's a close up.

The Retro Commode or The See-Through Loo

If you find yourself in the city of Jinju in the underground mall you are probably:

A. Shopping for a cell phone
B. Getting a hotdog
C. Laughing at this next commode

I've never owned door beads but in the movies they always look pretty cool.  However, the ones in the movies are usually to a bedroom and almost always in a house. Not a busy mall.  Who am I to judge.  I think it's amazing.

The Jinju Underground mall.  Cell phones, Hotdogs, and a see through water closet.

Door beads with a sweet butterfly pattern.  Who doesn't like butterflies?

I never usually get stage fright but this is a little much.

Here you can pee, wash your hands with the dirty blue soap stick, and mop the floor.  Now that's convenience

Are you living in Korea? Have you seen a sweet commode?

If you have and you would like the photos put up on this blog then please email me three pictures:

1.  The outside of the restaurant, pub or wherever the bathroom is located.
2. The bathroom itself.
3. Anything else that is cool like a bar of soap on a stick.

If you can please share where this bathroom is located in Korea that would also be helpful.

Email pics or other ideas to
bking003us@gmail.com

Happy Peeing
Brian

The Common Combo Commode (The CC Commode)

If you find yourself in a South Korean apartment some day there are a few tips for correctly using the toilet in your host's home.

Tip 1. Wear the sandals by the door. If your host showered before your arrival the floor will be wet.  This is due to the fact that the shower is in the bathroom.  When I say "in" the bathroom I actually mean above the bathroom. The shower rains down water and soaks the entire room.  Put the sandals on.  You can thank me later.

Tip 2. If you need to sit on the toilet during your bathroom visit, and the floor is wet, you are advised to take your pants completely off and hang them on the door knob. If you ignore this tip your pants will slip down around your ankles and onto the wet floor. Not cool.  Take some extra time and do it right.

Tip 3. When it comes time to wash your hands be sure to check the faucet/shower switcher dial.  If you don't check it you might be sprayed by the shower when you turn on the faucet.

Following these tips will ensure a pleasant bathroom visit in almost any Korean apartment.

Here are a few photos of a Common Combo Commode.

Notice the proximity of the shower, toilet, and sink.  Also note the floor drain/shower drain.

 

Here is an example of the sandals you should put on since you are basically stepping in to a shower

 

Shower and sink in one!

This metal flap tries to protect the T.P. from water while you shower.  It's a little short.

Commode-defined

According to Dictionary.com a commode can mean any of the following:
   
1. a low cabinet or similar piece of furniture, often highly ornamental, containing drawers or shelves.

2. a stand or cupboard containing a chamber pot or washbasin.

3. toilet ( def. 1 ) .

4. a portable toilet,  especially one on a chairlike frame with wheels, as for an invalid.

5. an elaborate headdress consisting chiefly of a high framework decorated with lace, ribbons, etc., worn perched on top of the hair by women in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

 

Check back regularly for newly showcased restrooms from the Republic of Korea.  If you live in Korea and have seen and interesting, unusual, or down right bizarre bathroom please feel free to email me the details and have it displayed here.

 

Happy Peeing. 

The Semi-Enclosed or 3/4 Commode (Jinju, South Korea)

This lovely little loo, and the first one to be showcased on Korean Commodes, is located in (actually behind) a nice little neighborhood hof.  The french fries are good, the owner is friendly, and the commode is to die for.  Privacy is not an option but the commode's open architecture allows the sounds of the city to soothe you while you take care of business.

Great fries, fruit soju, and of course...a luxurious lavatory



The bathrooms are in the back?  Seems normal enough.



Follow the propane tanks to your left and your almost there.  It's a bit cold in here isn't it?  Oh yeah, I'm outside. 

Hmmm...if I was a murderer....

An awesome tuna can ash tray for the smokers. Nobody likes cigarette butts in a urinal.

And for the ladies....the standard squatter with a bonus....

a sweet pull cord and a bucket of water to flush