This Toilet in China Can Switch Between Men’s and Women’s
A public restroom in Guangdong has attracted attention online because its male and female sections can be changed according to demand.
A video filmed at Huizhou West Lake Scenic Area shows a visitor manually sliding the signs outside a so-called “tidal toilet,” switching the male and female labels.
The unusual design quickly raised questions online, with some people wondering whether visitors could accidentally enter the wrong section.
On September 9, a member of the scenic area’s customer service staff explained that the system is not used every day.
The restroom normally maintains fixed male and female sections. Its switchable mode is activated only during exceptionally busy periods, such as the Spring Festival and Huizhou’s Lantern Festival.
According to the staff member, women generally spend longer in public restrooms, which can lead to long lines during holidays. When visitor numbers surge, staff can temporarily convert part of the men’s or women’s section to provide more stalls for the side experiencing greater demand.
The change is handled by staff, who are also stationed nearby to direct visitors. If an area is temporarily reassigned for women, male visitors are not allowed to enter it.
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However, the video also revealed a possible problem: the signs can apparently be moved by visitors.
The staff member said the sliding signs were designed for management purposes and should not be adjusted by the public. The concern will be reported to the scenic area’s management team so that possible improvements can be considered.
Similar “tidal toilets” have already appeared in parks and tourist attractions across China. By using adjustable signs and movable access doors, they allow facilities to change the number of stalls available to men and women during peak periods.
Some viewers described the idea as practical, while others remained concerned that changeable signs could cause confusion.
What do you think: a clever solution to long restroom lines, or an accident waiting to happen?
Source: 大皖新闻
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