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View Full Version : NATO's potty rules shut out Afghans

Vegas
03-26-2007, 02:36 PM
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070326.wxtoilet24/BNStory/International/home

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN — Under a bizarre policy that echoes the days of segregation in the United States, Afghans who work at the NATO base at Kandahar Airfield must use separate toilets marked "local nationals only."

Several Afghans told The Globe and Mail the practice is insulting, but they are dependent on NATO for their livelihoods and reluctant to speak out.

Lieutenant-Colonel Jack Blevins, the U.S. officer in charge of administrative contracts, said the segregated toilet policy exists because the bathroom habits of the Afghans are different from those of the North Americans and Europeans who work at the base.

"We've always had this policy," Lt.-Col. Blevins said. "It's not based on a racial thing; it's just how they use the toilets. They're not used to toilets. They use squats, or holes in the ground."
BoredWithNoSB
03-26-2007, 02:59 PM
it's just how they use the toilets.

Can somebody explain this further? I didn't realize there were multiple technique available. Are we talking wiping forward or backward or something else here?

Is there a learning moment possibly here?
Vegas
03-26-2007, 03:17 PM
Can somebody explain this further? I didn't realize there were multiple technique available. Are we talking wiping forward or backward or something else here?

Is there a learning moment possibly here?

I can't speak for Afghans, but I have worked with people who were used to standing over a hole in the old country. They would stand on top of the toilet seat and bomb away.
IBC
03-26-2007, 03:19 PM
I can't speak for Afghans, but I have worked with people who were used to standing over a hole in the old country. They would stand on top of the toilet seat and bomb away.
That could make for a mess. I guess there needs to be a test? I for one will not administer it.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 03:35 PM
That could make for a mess. I guess there needs to be a test? I for one will not administer it.

I got into the habit of never taking a dump at work unless I'm about to explode.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 03:35 PM
I expect LSU to jump into this thread with some more of his outstanding dumping stories.
IBC
03-26-2007, 03:40 PM
I got into the habit of never taking a dump at work unless I'm about to explode.
I imagine so. The toilet at my work is like my second office, but ti is quite private.
LSU
03-26-2007, 03:42 PM
I expect LSU to jump into this thread with some more of his outstanding dumping stories.




I can't compete with the Afghans.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 04:57 PM
I can't compete with the Afghans.

I bet they can't tell funnier stories about their dumps.
LSU
03-26-2007, 05:02 PM
I bet they can't tell funnier stories about their dumps.



Hard to say. If they stand on the seat and let it fall where it may, I would imagine someone could conjure up a good one.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 05:07 PM
Hard to say. If they stand on the seat and let it fall where it may, I would imagine someone could conjure up a good one.

Not if they consider that normal behavior.
LSU
03-26-2007, 05:08 PM
Not if they consider that normal behavior.




You may be surprised to know that I believe my stories are normal behavior.

That's why I'm a hit at parties.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 05:08 PM
You may be surprised to know that I believe my stories are normal behavior.

That's why I'm a hit at parties.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
IBC
03-26-2007, 05:15 PM
Just got done with a good one, but I sat on the seat, this time at least.
IBC
03-26-2007, 05:17 PM
I always cringe a bit when I have been in countries where they don't flush the paper. When I was in Guatemala I went out quite a bit, and this led to some really rank dumps. The bathroom would get really bad when you can't flush that paper. Luckily there was a maid but I always felt very bad for her.
Vegas
03-26-2007, 05:46 PM
Just got done with a good one, but I sat on the seat, this time at least.

No sense of adventure?
Vegas
03-26-2007, 05:47 PM
I always cringe a bit when I have been in countries where they don't flush the paper. When I was in Guatemala I went out quite a bit, and this led to some really rank dumps. The bathroom would get really bad when you can't flush that paper. Luckily there was a maid but I always felt very bad for her.

In a lot of places, they don't have toilet paper that disolves. Another workplace bathroom issue I've had is that when a lot of people that come from those places end up in the USA, they don't figure out that it's OK to flush the paper away. If there's not a trash can right there, they throw it on the floor.