« Wordless Wednesday »
Wednesday, August 5 If you are still reading, please quickly note that I am not a creep of any sort and I hope your internet monitor hasn't blocked my post because it mentions arse-less chaps and babies so close to each other.
I lived in Beijing long enough to realize that arse-less chaps, or split pants as they are actually called, did not startle or surprise me when I saw them on the street. Actually that isn't completely true. Despite my familiarity with them, I was always a little shocked when I saw them 'helping' the environment. Disposable diapers barely existed there. Cloth diapers were only really used during the winter, when split pants were not feasible, but I saw very few little white arses that weren't beat red!
It was not uncommon to turn a corner and see a parent holding a child up over a sewer grate or over bushes or trees and helping them create natural fertilizer, through their split pants. I recall once we were at the park and a child simply squatted and shat right there! Once I was standing in line at the grocery store and a little girl just whizzed right there as stood directly behind me. I so wanted to hand the mom a diaper from my bag, but knew she would never accept it. The mother simply changed the child's clothes right there in line and left the whiz on the floor. I WAS APPALLED to say the least. Seriously, isn't is easier to change a diaper versus an entire outfit, shoes included? To the unaccustomed eye this seems comical at the very least and downright disturbing for the hygiene obsessed. Basically, children in split pants used sewer drains as their own public toilets. And their parents were so proud.
Yes, I realize that to a Westerner, the sight of a three-year-old running around in what is essentially a pair of arse-less cotton chaps can be a bit jarring(believe me, I was the first time I saw it); but there is a distinct reason and method to the madness.
I personally did not ever utilze these split pants on my daughter and happily paid the high cost of diapers while living in Beijing! I am afraid I will never find defecating in public places acceptable! But, you will have to admit, the photos are amusing!
I just want to state that I am in no way stating that the use of diapers are more superior to not using diapers. I have nothing but understanding, compassion & admiration for this culture!
http://www.chinesechildren.org/Newsletter%5CProfessional%20Corner/PC_03_...
http://www.white-boucke.com/IPTstuff.html
http://www.TimL.com/ipt
http://www.pottywhisperer.com
http://aitt.evassist.it
and Extraordinary Mothers
hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom
hosted by SevEn cLoWn CirCuS
hosted by Ordinary and Awesome
Reader Comments (102)
I have a blog friend whose husband is Chinese, and she did a very similar post! It was so funny. She is actually back in China, living there.
WHOA!!!!! I had NO Idea what you were talking about with "split-pants" until I saw the pics!!! OMGoodness...I don't think I could get used to that!!!
We went to China in October and it took me a while to figure out the story with those pants. I ended up bringing a pair back for my nephew.....but my sister put a diaper on him underneath - - so defeats the purpose! :)
Cute pictures!
I AM stating that to allow children to release their bodily waste in public is WRONG. That waste is going into the public water system which is in turn contaminating it. That is NOT OK in my opinion- which is NOT so humble on this point. Hepatitis A, Gastroenteritis, Dysentery, anemia, digestive disorders, debilitation...just to name a few illnesses that are caused by such behavior.
The pictures are funny, but the side effects of the behavior is not. I am all for diapers on children who are not potty trained.
Wow, that is interesting and just think of the cost savings.
These are cute pictures!
Ok... I cant even believe this! Though the pics are so cute I cant imaging allowing my child to just "go" wherever and whenever they want. Totally shocking to me!
amusing, to say the least!!!
how... interesting! i do love learning about different cultures. this is just so very curious!!
the idea is interesting, but the hygeine thing totally freaks me out...I mean there are some things I just don't want to see when I am at a resteraunt!!
I'm speechless. Totally speechless. And that doesn't happen often!
I believe I guffawed and tipped over backwards in my chair at that first picture!
How truly bizarre!
That is absolutely crazy...and HILARIOUS at the same time!!
Great pics and post! I think these pants could definitely come in handy during potty training!
SO creepy! Baby asses are cute and all, but woah!
rofl...wow! Happy WW - you certainly made it interesting.
Wow! Thank you for the culture lesson~~I never knew. We just moved back to the States from England and I know we saw more men urinating on the edge of the road than I care to have experienced. Belgium was also very interesting with the half walls next to buildings, roads, church buildings...for the men to use. We certainly are more inhibited in the USA~~and I am thankful:)
I never saw that when I worked in beijing :) Great shots!
This is just incredible... I still don't know how I feel about it. :-/
Little bums are cute. Pee in the middle of a grocery store is gross. What works for one culture doesn't for another, but that is what makes the world go 'round!
Happy WW! Here are are photos from my local Farmers Market http://tinyurl.com/mgra8q
awww what cute butt cheeks!
http://whenhekissesher.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/the-peace-in-the-disturbance" rel="nofollow">Peace in Disturbance
wow! i have heard of EC before, but never actually seen the split pants- that is crazy!! we use cloth diapers here, but that does seem easier...lol!
my ww:
http://www.mcclurefamilyspace.blogspot.com/
So apparently my son needs to go to China. Well not now, he doesn't pee in the bushes at school anymore. He's a farmer's son what can I say. Interesting post. I can understand the method to the madness but I just can't imagine being out for a walk and seeing a bunch a babies running around cobbing a squat anywhere they pleased.
Just stopping by to say hi and thank you for popping by tonight!
Well I suppose it's more environmentally friendly than disposables, nd practical for training but how about the parents carry a chamber pot with them that has a tightly fitting lid with which to collect their child's leavings.
Oh my goodness, LOL! Great pictures! Happy WW :)
I thought that was something that only happened with grown drunk people on Bourbon Street {in New Orleans} LOL!!! Whoa...
:)
Kat @ For the Love of Chaos | www.SenileMOMentia.com
Well, now I've seen everything. I hope those parents carry plastic baggies!
Kailani
http://islandlife808.com" rel="nofollow">An Island Life
It's amazing to see what is "acceptable" in other countries!
Wow. I never knew this! But I have to agree with other comments...I don't think it's environmentally friendly or hygienic. But I bet it does make potty training easier! Yuck. I'll pass.
Happy WW!
LOL at those little bums. Happy WW!
I burst out laughing when I saw that!
What!? Is that real? I have never seen anything like that. I couldn't help but chuckle a little at the first photo. Baby bottoms - cute. LOL.
WHAT??? OMG! I dont even know what to say except "Ewwww"
I've heard about different views on toileting there than in the US. Personally, I'd be freaked out.
Happy Wordless Wednesday!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/08/puppy-news.html
A bunch of the kids from the HS I work visited China this year.. and this was the first thing they mentioned.
I'm with Foursons - I don't see how human waste in the park, on bushes, or on the floor in stores is such a benefit to the community. Hello - disease?
OMG...I don't even know what to say!
I had never heard of this. Wow. Just wow.
Adorable photos, but disgusting cultural norm. I can't imagine having my kid's rear end exposed and walking away from a pee pool in the store. Thanks for sharing and happy WW. Take care.
-Kiki
Wow I had now idea about that. Is it any wonder the Chinese environment is so toxic. I know the same could be said for the US disposable diaper usage, but going in the park, street or store is not sanitary!
Oh my - I'm not even sure how I'd view those - definitely something to laugh at! :)
~K
Oh my goodness! I'm speechless, just speechless.
And, wow -- you lived in Bejing?!
Happy WW to you!
Lol!
Great photos :D
Did not know this--you've definitely expanded my world this morning!
Blessings!
I had forgotten about those. I do not think I could have utilized them, but then again, I may have had I been in China at the time my kids where around the age? Tough call.
For some reason, it didn't occur to me that they did this anywhere other than in Chinese orphanages. I am now very icked out by the idea of stepping in human poop at the park. I'm assuming they don't clean up the dog or human poop, right?
Yuck.
Wow! I have never heard of that. It's interesting to see what other cultures do and those pictures are really cute!
I have never seen anything like this before.. I learned something new today!!!
I wonder if they potty train earlier because of this or would it actually take longer? HMMMM
I am laughing my butt off! I just sent this to 3 people! HA!