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Is pooping in public a common occurrence in China?
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23 Answers
As a Chinese living in Beijing, I should say that I might have been seen this scenario several times a year. Maybe more if I left the downtown to rural area. What I want to say here is why these could be "common".
First of all, China has around 800 million peasants. I used the word "peasants" not farmer because most of them are really poor, not well-educated. China government sacrificed the rights and benefits of 4-5 generations of these peasants to the fast growth of China. Less money was invested in education, especially to those peasants. Without proper education for several generation, we can't expect them to show behavior in public. Actually, not only the rural area, most of the tier 2-5 cities were also not invested on education enough. The less money invested down from central government was exploited level by level. Not so much was left when it reached the end user.
Second, my parents once described the good manner of people around 1950s. But things changed after the 10 years Cultural revolution in China. People decried, defamed, abused and even fought with each other. No one trusted any people even their own family at that time. Morality was totally torn down. People became selfish and myopic. Some people won't care about the public environment because it's not their home. Their home could be very clean but they would spit on street, drop garbage and etc.
Third, the public services are very poor in China due to our government is not looking themselves as a "service provider" but a "country manager". Well, obviously their management skill is not good. The public conveniences are not so much in China. And most of the restaurants, office building and small hotels refuse to let the passerby use their washroom. The funny thing is McDonald's and KFC became the proper "Toilet" in China because they don't refuse people and they are everywhere in the city.
Finally, I don't want someone to misunderstand me. I didn't say all the 800 million are not well educated. I didn't say all the people lost their morality. please consider it as a percentage. because we have so many people here in China. if 0.01% of people do bad things, you will feel it as "common".
First of all, China has around 800 million peasants. I used the word "peasants" not farmer because most of them are really poor, not well-educated. China government sacrificed the rights and benefits of 4-5 generations of these peasants to the fast growth of China. Less money was invested in education, especially to those peasants. Without proper education for several generation, we can't expect them to show behavior in public. Actually, not only the rural area, most of the tier 2-5 cities were also not invested on education enough. The less money invested down from central government was exploited level by level. Not so much was left when it reached the end user.
Second, my parents once described the good manner of people around 1950s. But things changed after the 10 years Cultural revolution in China. People decried, defamed, abused and even fought with each other. No one trusted any people even their own family at that time. Morality was totally torn down. People became selfish and myopic. Some people won't care about the public environment because it's not their home. Their home could be very clean but they would spit on street, drop garbage and etc.
Third, the public services are very poor in China due to our government is not looking themselves as a "service provider" but a "country manager". Well, obviously their management skill is not good. The public conveniences are not so much in China. And most of the restaurants, office building and small hotels refuse to let the passerby use their washroom. The funny thing is McDonald's and KFC became the proper "Toilet" in China because they don't refuse people and they are everywhere in the city.
Finally, I don't want someone to misunderstand me. I didn't say all the 800 million are not well educated. I didn't say all the people lost their morality. please consider it as a percentage. because we have so many people here in China. if 0.01% of people do bad things, you will feel it as "common".
Related QuestionsMore Answers Below
This happens all the time. Especially with young children who wear open crotch trousers and no nappies. Little attempt is ever made to gain some privacy. I've seen it in shops, in restaurants, in the main city square, in a hospital corridoor and even directly outside public conveniences.
What is unusual is the age of the boy in this photography. By that age he should be able to wipe is own. Also it is unusual in Hong Kong as there are public restrooms throughout the city and in shops and restaurants so there is no real excuse. In mainland China, public conveniences are thin on the ground and often low quality.
What is unusual is the age of the boy in this photography. By that age he should be able to wipe is own. Also it is unusual in Hong Kong as there are public restrooms throughout the city and in shops and restaurants so there is no real excuse. In mainland China, public conveniences are thin on the ground and often low quality.
Rather interesting responses to this question as it appears a few people are piqued by this discussion. It would be an interesting research topic as it always has appeared to me that Mainland Chinese have a different perspective on the disposal of human fluids.
From my understanding it is not considered rude for children to relieve themselves in public areas; there are few public toilets in most major cities and I suspect many people simply do not see the value of paying to allow their children to use them. That being said, I have seen plenty of children urinating but I have never witnessed a kid defecate in a public area although I have seen pictures. Common? I don't know. I believe, however, that some Mainland Chinese treat adults relieving themselves publicly and children doing the same
differently.
Public spaces are traditionally treated with a level of indifference; private spaces are often better taken care of (i.e. the home) than their public counterparts. Although I am beginning to see this trend change, in particular on transportation such as buses and metros.
Open crotch pants are popular in China but so are diapers as well - at least in the major cities. All of my local staff who have infants use diapers with their children.
From my understanding it is not considered rude for children to relieve themselves in public areas; there are few public toilets in most major cities and I suspect many people simply do not see the value of paying to allow their children to use them. That being said, I have seen plenty of children urinating but I have never witnessed a kid defecate in a public area although I have seen pictures. Common? I don't know. I believe, however, that some Mainland Chinese treat adults relieving themselves publicly and children doing the same
differently.
Public spaces are traditionally treated with a level of indifference; private spaces are often better taken care of (i.e. the home) than their public counterparts. Although I am beginning to see this trend change, in particular on transportation such as buses and metros.
Open crotch pants are popular in China but so are diapers as well - at least in the major cities. All of my local staff who have infants use diapers with their children.
Yes, it is very common but I agree with others that the boy in the picture is a lot older than usual. I live in Shanghai and taking a leak against a wall or in the bushes is common for any age (usually male but I've seen older ladies peeing in the park too) and as for kids those slit pants mean they can go anywhere, anyhow; held aloft above a bin in the subway, by a tree, in the street - I've even seen a child taking a leak in the metal grill over the floor drain that surrounds the fish section in Carrefour. I kid you not. Nappies are not part of the traditional culture here (though they are now becoming more common) and potty training happens in a very different way. Babies learn from as young as 3-6 months how to communicate to their parents that they need to go and these split pants make it easy for that happen wherever they are (hence the pavement/tree/supermarket scenarios). It's an alternative method with no doubt some messy accidents (and cold bums) but Chinese kids can usually go to the loo by themselves by 18 mnths-2 years old. The boy in the picture is obviously a slow learner!
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