‘I’m almost done.’ Apparently, there
is no longer a need for an awkward bathroom conversation at a site in China.
China’s Yungang Buddhist Grottoes are a major tourist attraction,
but they are gaining more notoriety lately for a bathroom
policy. Officials have installed timers on the toilets at this UNESCO World
Heritage site to move things along.
Pardon the unintentional pun.
A video about the restrooms even made some Chinese
newscasts, with the reports showing the timers above individual cubicles in the female
restrooms. A digital display shows whether the cubicle is empty or how much
time the person inside is supposed to have left.
Officials did say that they would not interrupt anybody or
kick anyone out.
“I found it quite advanced technologically so you don’t
have to queue outside or knock on a bathroom door,” one person said. “But I
also found it a little bit embarrassing. It felt like I was being monitored.”
The timers were installed on May 1, which has obviously caused a great deal of debate on Chinese social media.
“A tourist site isn’t an office – who would spend
their time in the toilets? Is it really necessary?” said one person.
“Why don’t they just spend the money on building more
washrooms?” said another.
Of course, you could always try holding it.
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