The anchor said, "laugh if you want, but the things taking off!" Imagine that, women are tired of dirty toilettes we can't sit on, waiting in long lines, holding it for miles or when in the woods almost falling into a stream. Why would women want a simple solution for that?
To be fair, I am not big on peeing in public. When I lived in Albany, I lived in a low-income area and drunk college students would pee in front of people's houses with total disregard to the fact that people lived in them. From then on, I always hated public peeing.
But this is different, this gives women the ability to pee in a more comfortable position without having to hold your hair, purse, the wall, pull your pants forward and all the other contortionist type behavior involved in peeing without touching the toilette seat or the ground below you. Plus, it is clear that the women at that state fair are enjoying that moment of male performativity that comes with peeing standing up.
Put this next to the diva cup for things I must have.
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This thing is too cool. I saw an ad for it in 'Bitch' magazine.
Definitely buying one, since squatting usually requires pulling pants out of the line of fire, which is a very difficult task, indeed.
I wasn't going to go to the fair, but now I am.
This is freaking genius. I love that one woman said, "Now I can write my name in the snow!" As a kid, I always felt left out when my male family members would do that while we were skiing.
HAH! I have now completely penetrated their boys' club! woo!
If I'm wearing a skirt, it is possible for me to pee standing up, using what I call the "squat-thrust." That mainly came in handy when I was attending the tail end of a crowded drunken party and the bathroom was always occupied.
Still, this product looks eminently practical and useful. Also, it's not as expensive as I expected it to be, wow.
You pee into streams?
I always preferred using old-fashioned squats so that my butt wouldn't have to touch the nasty toilet seat.
I want Go-Girl. This is excellent. And there's nothing funny about it. It's actually quite useful...
When I lived at home with my parents in rural Kentucky, I had to drive home from work at around 11:00 at night. The drive was about 20 minutes long and I'd often have to pee on the way home. There was NO WHERE to stop. (Even if I'd been in town, the gas stations were closed that time of night.)
I and all the other girls I knew who lived around there would have to stop at a little church (the only place to park your car, other than someone's driveway), run around the side, and pop a squat if we had to pee. You never knew what creature was near your ankles or nearby.
Country girls need these pee devices.
When I lived at home with my parents in rural Kentucky, I had to drive home from work at around 11:00 at night. The drive was about 20 minutes long and I'd often have to pee on the way home. There was NO WHERE to stop. (Even if I'd been in town, the gas stations were closed that time of night.)
I and all the other girls I knew who lived around there would have to stop at a little church (the only place to park your car, other than someone's driveway), run around the side, and pop a squat if we had to pee. You never knew what creature was near your ankles or nearby.
Country girls need these pee devices.
Some writers or bloggers (like the original news clip) act as if this is a new thing, saying for example, "Using the Go Girl urinal would clearly end badly without lots of practice, and at $18.99 for a set of 3 practicing could get expensive." On the contrary, this class of product is not new.
"Patented back as far as 1922, these devices have a long history. The 'Sanitary Protector' filed for in August 1918 by Edyth Lacy, specifies a 'cheap device ...[to be] used but once, being especially suitable as a sanitary device in public toilet rooms.'"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_urination_device
I have heard about such products for about 20 years. I have even heard of relatively inexpensive disposable paper cones, so one does not need to carry a contaminated or just rinsed-in-the-sink cone in one's purse. Example:
http://www.sanicone.com/index.html
$15 for 50.
A woman with sufficient bladder control so as not to dribble, can be expected to be able to urinate cleanly standing up anywhere a male can (maybe even without wiping). Standing urinals for females exist in Europe. Even American Standard of New Jersey used to manufacture them from 1950-1974, according to Wikipedia.
Seconded... these ideas have been around for ages. Just ask an FtM ;)
That being said, the silicon (? I'm guessing - don't have sound at work) construction looks like it would be nice... good balance of rigid and flexible. However, I think I'll stick with what I've got - it's the size of a highlighter marker and cost me about 25 cents, hehe.
Not true. Not a matter of bladder control; the urethral opening is partially covered by the labia in most women, esp. older women, which makes it less of a "clean shot," and the labia majora direct the stream of urine in different ways as the flow increases and decreases.
Luckily labia, major and minor, are mobile. You just need to hold them out of the way.
I didn't want to get into that, but people can do it the same way nurses get a "clean catch" female urine sample, no? They may need to touch themselves.
I've seen those standing urinals in women's rooms in Italy, but I didn't know how to use them and they were always dirty with mud from people's shoes. I guess it doesn't matter that much if you're just standing on them in your own shoes, but it looks even more unappealing that way.
This sounds terrific. I hate using public bathrooms and I never got the hang of squatting, so this would help me tremendously. This is a dumb question, but what do you do with it after you're done? I mean I guess if you're in a bathroom you can wash it fairly easily in the sink (I actually went to the go-girl website to see how to clean it), but if you're out in the middle of nowhere I'm not sure what you'd do. I sure wouldn't want to be walking around with some some pee-soaked cup even if it is my own pee. LOL. Eh, I guess you could just bring a plastic bag to put it in and wash it when you get home. Anyway, I've clearly overthought this...I totally want one!
I think products like these are wonderful for whoever wants to use them and should be widely available. That said, I may be the only one left, but I just sit right on the goddamn public toilet seats. Every once in a while there's one somewhere that's too gross, but for the most part I don't get the squeamishness. It's only my ass, and there are probably worse germs on the door handles.
You're not the only one. My friend once freaked out on me because I used a public toilet and didn't "hover."
It was a bathroom in a Safeway grocery store.
I'm like... you know they have to clean the toilets, right?
I always plop my ass down and I haven't even had the common cold in years. Hovering sounds horrible. I enjoy a good pee.
Exactly, only in the scummiest of restrooms do I hover or use toilet paper/seat cover. I don't rub my genitals all over the rim of the toilet, it's just solid skin that touches. The women who hover are the ones who manage to pee all over the seat. If you want to be a germaphobe, objects that are touched constantly by hands are the real concern: doorknobs, telephones, handrails, etc.
Yes, doorknobs are nasty, but aerosols that come from the toilet bowl are BAD. And a lot of times, it isn't that someone has peed all over the toilet seat, but that the flush power is so great, that huge water droplets are expelled from the bowl onto the seat.
Here's a link for more info about bacteria flying from your toilet bowl to your toothbrush, and other interesting information: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1839
Frankly, I think women's "need" to not touch the toilet seat is another way women comply in our own victimization, like shaving legs and douching.
Sit on the seat. You wont' catch anything.
True story: I used to squat over toilet seats, and once there was a particularly gross toilet at a rest stop so I made sure to squat. Then I stumbled, and my crotch landed RIGHT ON THE TOILET SEAT. I've never squatted since.
That was so funny lmao!!!
I don't squat over toilet seats either. Not only is it uncomfortable, I hear you can get a UTI from doing it b/c your bladder doesn't empty as fully as when you just plain sit down.
And maybe it's just practice but I don't have problems peeing in the bush, either. These would be kind of neat for novelty value (write my name in the snow!), but I have no real use for them.
Heh. Ladies, do take care not to be lazy like us guys and miss the toilet altogether when you're peeing standing up. It's easy to do at say, four a.m., when you're awakened from slumber with a compulsion to pee and are more concerned with "close enough" then "direct hit".
As they say:
"Our aim is to keep the bathrooms clean. Your aim will help!"
One of the biggest problems I've heard with these products in the past is that they're only sold in sex stores, instead of drug stores/corner stores-- there's an idea that women trying to assert themselves by peeing standing up has to do with sex, or is exclusive to trans men. Negatory.
No kidding? That's bizarre. Did male sex shop owners find that sexy or what?
i found mine in hiking/camping stores..
I would have loved this device when I went white water rafting down the Grand Canyon! Let me tell you know, it's REALLY hard to try to pee in ice cold water!!
FYI, when camping, peeing in the river is better for the environment than the ground.
The p-mate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nd0YQSx418&NR=1) preceded this device. It's disposable, but I sort of like the foldable reusable one. I'd want to carry it in a plastic bag and be sure it stays tucked away discreetly in my bag/fanny pack/whatever.
I remember hearing about the P-mate a long time ago. I liked that it was disposable so you could keep a box of them in your car, purse, wherever. I always thought that these should replace seat-covers in public restrooms.
I think I need to get one of these for hiking. I don't see much of a use for this in general public bathrooms (I'm not too squeamish of peed on toilet seats, I just clean them up) or public urination but good lord would this be fucking awesome when I'm camping/backpacking with the rest of the boys.
Now for camping/hiking/rafting, this makes total sense to me.
i would definitely take this camping--i hate having to bare my ass in order to squat in the bushes, and then what if someone sees me?
I've had a freshette since 2001; love it (and since i work outdoors, it was a tax write-off!). I see it at REI, Cabella's, and other outdoor stores.
it's a rigid cup with an extendable tube. the extendable is important for peeing outside, as most of the others you pee on your shoe b/c the tube isn't long enough. i like the rigid b/c i think it sticks better and you don't have undo your drawers as much. it's also easier for ppl with mobility problems or are in a wheelchair than the squishy one (or so i've been told)
i use it outside, i also use it to pee into a bottle in the tent at night when i'm camping and it's cold outside. i think my favorite is using it in porta-johns at 4-day festivals! no opening the poo-hatch!
That being said, if you want to give one a go w/ no commitment, there's a diy pee-funnel at instructables (i didn't do do, just like it) http://www.instructables.com/tag/?q=p-funnel&limit%3Atype%3Aid=on&type%3Aid=on&type%3Auser=on&type%3Acomment=on&type%3Agroup=on&type%3AforumTopic=on&type%3AforumTopic=on&sort=none
Contortions? What contortions? I drop my things on the ground, sit on the damn seat, do my business, pick them up and go. It's just plastic and I don't understand the "EW GROSS" at all. I'm still alive, and besides, there are probably as many or more germs in the air immediately surrounding your face, or on the keyboard you're typing on....
Tell me about it! I've never understood where this particular fear comes from- there are much "germier" things in the bathroom alone let alone in the kitchen, keyboards, public transport, atm buttons etc...
What I want to know is why the "squatters" don't wipe the seat after spraying all over it?! Funny how the ones that think public toilets seats are too dirty to touch are the only ones who make it that way!
Exactly. The only time pee gets on the toilet seat is when you don't sit on it! I can see Go Girl being a practical tool for women on long road trips who need to stop for a pee when there isn't a rest stop anywhere. But if every woman simply sat on the toilet seat, there wouldn't be pee on it. In fact, I think using this tool in a public restroom would increase the pee on the seat. Ever been in a men's room? Ew.
Squatting works for me - maybe TMI but I've even had to poop without a toilet/latrine before (the first night I went camping ever). I've just learned the angle my pee goes and adjust my jeans accordingly. I actually really like it, because there's less fuss.
I hover sometimes just because I like to squat - maybe it's all the yoga?
Oh, you made me laugh. Yay for lady peeing. Next time someone's in the stall next to me, I'm going to assume they're doing some Cobra back arches mid-stream.
I heard of this a few years ago. I thought it was a great idea then and I still do.
I'm not to keen on peeing in public -it takes me a while to do it in a public bathroom, nonetheless in an ally way- but it's very useful if you're going camping, a festival, concert, etc. where bathrooms are nonexistent or just disgusting.
Do your kegels, practice a few times at home, and you can pee standing up without any device. I think I got a bead for that when I was in Camp Fire . . .
exactamondo. i can pee standing up, with pants, no problem.
it's just practice. try in the shower and aim for the drain that way it doesnt matter if you make a mess ;)
I always wondered how some women manage to pee all over the toilet seat. This thread has enlightened me. All of you people who don't sit down out of fear of nasty toilet seats MAKE THE TOILET SEATS NASTY.
Anyhow, I think the device looks kind of silly. Is it really convenient to carry that thing around? You still have to pull down your pants as if you were going to pee sitting down, so you're certainly not cutting time. And, what about after you use it? It's got your pee in it. What now? I see how it would be useful to hikers, maybe, but I don't mind just popping a squat in the woods.
As others have mentioned us FTMs (female to male transgenders) are champions of the stand to pee device. There are dozens of forums out there and youtube videos that will even show you how to make your own! The most common was is to use an altered medicine spoon. Just search "STP" on Youtube to find out how to make your own really cheaply.
I use The Whiz whizproducts.co.uk and it's fantastic! It's made of a soft material and I just keep it in my back pocket.
Another one I use is a STP/Packer made by FTMSolutions a woman owned and operated company (ftmsoultions.org), the CEO is Heather and she is an incredible woman. She makes them for transmen out of packers (silicone flacid penises) rubber tubing, medicine spoon and elastic and they work great. They're super affordable at $30 and free shipping. In fact someone at Feministing should do an article about Heather and her business...
All the people who say that hovering is safer and cleaner remind me of the people who are pro-squat toilets here in Japan. "Squat toilets are more sanitary because you don't touch the seat!"
YOU PEE ON THE FLOOR.
PEE. ON. THE. FLOOR.
STANDING IN PEE. WITH YOUR SHOES.
Bathrooms with just regular toilets smell fine. Any bathroom with a squat toilet always reeks of urine. BECAUSE THERE IS PEE ALL OVER THE FLOOR. Please explain to me how this is more sanitary. I have a freakin' inflammatory bowel disease and I will HOLD myself until a normal toilet opens up. Which is something, considering that people who use squat pots take all of 30 seconds, while people who use sit toilets seem to take 5 minutes minimum. And often there is only one sit down toilet.
All you hoverers are making the toilets gross. I'm not sure what disease you think you're not getting from the toilet seat, but I certainly haven't gotten it yet. Or many others, for that matter.
I would hope someone would only use this device as necessary--as in, when you can't use a toilet. Although I'm quite a pro at squatting now, regardless of clothing, I definitely would rather stand and do my business than squat in a bush or on a snake or something.
Actually, you pee into a toilet that is sunk into the floor (they flush too. Before I got there I thought you peed into a hole in the ground a la Slumdog Millionaire.) I never had any problems with the squatty potties (even wasted-guess I'm a veteran squattopeer, lol)-in fact, in the 3 years I lived in Japan, the dirtiest bathrooms I encountered were a) with western style toilets, and b) where all the Americans hung out. And still, even the dirtiest ones were cleaner than any given Wal-Mart on any given day.
The most disgusting public bathrooms I saw in 12 years in Japan were squat toilets in train stations (even in large cities like Osaka). Urine is not the only things people spray when space separates bodies from fixtures. There is no way people wearing kimono or other clothes that can reach the floor can keep clean.
Also consider yourself fortunate in Japan if toilet paper and paper towels are provided. There are reasons Japanese carry "pocket" tissues and cloths.
"I thought you peed into a hole in the ground"
There are those also, in rural areas, in public bathrooms and older homes.* One of my more interesting experiences in Japanese public bathrooms was at a bus rest stop somewhere in northern Kyushu in 1989. There were separate men's and women's sides. However, there was no solid wall in between, so someone from the female side could look directly at men using the toilets. "Toilets" being of the non-flush, concrete or porcelain hole in the ground variety. Another interesting experience was how cleaning women walked in and out of men's bathrooms while men were still inside.
*When looking at Japanese real estate listings, be sure there are flushing toilets.
http://weblog.ceicher.com/archives/2005/02/blogtv_japan_the_social_life_o.html
"According to Japanese census data, it was only within the last decade that over 50% of all toilets were Western-style toilets. Until very recently, Japanese toilets were predominantly the Japanese-style squat toilets, which are not much more than a trench in the ground."
How could I forget Japanese public school toilets? They were nasty, like the children of the video continue to report. The first thing they are teaching the schoolchildren in the video is to flush toilets after use. Also, one will see in schools and certain other places posted reminders to "use the bathroom cleanly."
http://newzjapan.com/japanese-education/40-of-japanese-children-refuse-to-poop-at-school
"40% of Japanese Children Refuse to Poop at School" explained in other articles you can find, because many young Japanese are for example, too sensitive to the sort of sights and smells encountered as in a public restroom. (Also, unlike in many public schools, most new homes have western toilets, and children may be unfamiliar with squat toilets and their use.) Japanese commentators years ago predicted things like this, when the Japanese boom in personal hygiene and cleanliness started. There were even widely advertised pills for sale to keep your shit from smelling. Seriously.
soooooo...why pink? even the website is drenched in pink. I HATE PINK
All girls luv pink, heehee! Girl power!!!!!!! (My favorite feminist is baby spice.)
I wish I'd had one of these with me in China a few years ago. Would have made using the squatty-potty in a marching band uniform a lot easier!
They've had these for quite a while - you could usually find them in camping supply stores. They were utilitarian in nature, not cutesy and pink like this one.
i have a P-style, which i LOVE. check them here: http://kristascups.com/ (they're plastic)
i like that these new things are silicone, though, meaning they can be boiled to sanitize them. i might get me one-a these too!
This is def. a great invention for anyone not comfortable with a squat. I wouldn't use it though - 3 yrs at the dorms really taught me the squat technique, and I'm not about to carry yet another personal hygiene thing around with me - and, you'd have to wash it after use, then dry it, or put it in a plastic bag... too much. Besides, its kind of uncomfortable for me to pee standing up (don't ask when and where I've done that)
I've been using the Whiz-Biz for years now. Great for camping! Wouldn't go without it! (pardon the pun!)
I've been using the Whiz-Biz for years now. Great for camping! Wouldn't go without it! (Pardon the pun!)