[tomkinstinch]

Absolutely do not stand on the seat. Beyond getting dirty shoes all over the toilet, the asymmetic force during initiation is a great way to break the toilet seat or overcompress the wax seal beneath the toilet (I had an ex-roommate damage my toilet this way). Putting your feet on the rim is a good way to slip and fall. If you want to simulate a squat toilet with a Western fixture, raise up your feet on a step stool. Sit down first then raise your feet. </rant>

[cdjk]

And before anyone thinks about disrupting the step stool market, it's been done:

http://www.squattypotty.com/

Complete with puns.

[oftenwrong]

Sometimes you are in a public place with nothing to use as a platform. Never use the seat, of course, since other people put their butts there, and as you say they can be fragile. I use the rim. I have never slipped or fallen. It is quite secure.

At home I have platforms.

[itomatik]

awesome suggestion about raising your feet! I'll keep that in mind :D