My first encounter with a squat toilet was in a little cafe in France. Unlike the “urinal on the floor” type squatters (such a lovely, descriptive word) you mostly see here, it was just a hole cute in the floor with a foot-shaped indentation on either side. It was lucky that I only had to urinate, so I could do that standing up. It was also lucky I didn’t actually stand in it by accident.
The light to the bathroom only turned on when you locked the door, which I didn’t know. 
So, I had closed the door most of the way and was groping around for the light switch or string, before closing it fully. I might have taken a misstep and gotten… ah… icky.
In Taiwan, when I first saw one, I didn’t quite associate it with what I had seen in France, as it looked to me like a urinal on the floor. Luckily, I’ve only had to use one here once, so far. Though I can see that it might be more “natural” way of defecating, I don’t find it very easy to do. Someone made a comment about people blaming the toilet for their fear of falling in. I don’t blame the toilet, I blame my clumsiness. I am, as they say ben shou ben jiao (stupid hands, stupid feet).
Even in the best of circumstances (e.g., looking through a shelf of books at a store), I am unsteady when squatting and usually have to use my hands from time to time to steady myself, which is NOT a good idea in a squat toilet. :shock: I can’t quite seem to get the positioning right. If I place my feet flat on the floor, as in the illustration shown earlier, my center of gravity seems to shift back and I start to fall backwards (which would not be good with a squat toilet :shock:). To keep balance, I end up on the balls of my feet. This is only comfortable for a short period of time. I wouldn’t want to try it while taking an extended…ah… defecation. 
In most public toilets, even the ones at work which are cleaned regularly, I usually follow Alleycats formula. When I wipe off the seat, I make sure to wipe around the inside edge, as well. Especially at work where they have the combo seat warmer/bidet. I don’t want to “encounter” any dirty water from someone else’s “cleansing ritual.” :shock: I put a layer on the water itself, which helps to prevent splashing (my bf taught me that. Thanks, hon!). And, I add a piece hanging over the front lip (into the bowl) to protect my “dangly bits” from touching the seat/rim.
I guess it is a lot to do to defecate. But, better that then coming into contact with other peoples “leftovers.” However, as aprimo said, the toilets here generally can’t take that amount of paper, so I just throw it into the toilet paper bin next to the toilet when I’m done. I then thoroughly wash my hands.
Despite all I go through to use them, I guess I’d have to vote for western sit toilets, instead of the squatters.
