[jyothi]

Here in Asia, you most always find both western and squat toilet in houses, hotels and public toilets.

In public toilets squat toilets are still more hygienic to use than sitting on the western toilet seats.

Moreover if the flush doesn't work, which usually would be the case, you can always pour a bucket of water.

[jackvalentine]

At the risk of sounding quite childish - I've never used a squat toilet, is there much chance of you accidently soiling your pants when using one?

[eru]

I spent a few month in Turkey, and I never did spoil anything.

For public toilets, I actually preferred the squatting version: You do not have to touch them. Just remember to bring your own toilet paper.

[elai]

Pouring a bucket of water also works with western toilets. Try it one day. You'll probably have to do a few buckets but it works.

[henrikschroder]

You would only need to use a few buckets on an American toilet. European ones use a lot less water.

[elai]

The bucket size is a small one, about 1L

[jyothi]

yep. However no suction is necessary like in western toilets and everything works perfectly just with gravity. Thus, the squat ones do save lot of water, 1 ltr is sufficient for flush. Of course, the plumbing particularly the inclination & depth of column below, has to be done right.

[strebler]

Yes, there were lots of western toilets in the more populated areas (Shanghai, Xian, Beijing, etc), but less once we got away from the cities. Squat toilets definitely seem more hygenic :)