The more I learn about Korea, the more I have delved into and appreciated some of the quirky sides of my motherland. It is hard to believe that in my past trips to South Korea, I somehow missed the now-famous poop emoji, and failed to notice the good-natured South Korean approach to poop-related topics. More importantly, my career has been focused on equal access to toilets and other essential facilities for human beings.

I have developed a fascination for toilets. I have also sat in contraptions that look like Captain Kirk’s chair, with a gazillion options to spritz water, spray perfume, blow hot air and do other things like play music so no one outside the bathroom can hear the noises you might be making while doing your business. I used the primitive squat toilets, outhouses, and dirt holes in the ground. Therefore, I have seen more than my fair share of toilets, for both men and women.Īs a well-travelled person, I also have memories of more than my fair share of unique toilet stories and experiences. I am a disabled person, a post-polio survivor, and someone who is professionally connected to ensuring locations and events are accessible for disabled participants. The desensitizing was never necessary for me, however.

There’s nothing like being in Korea to desensitize you to poop-related topics. From street snacks to museums, Koreans exhibit characteristic humor about the basics | Food column by Mary Lee Vance (Spring 2022 issue) Getting poop bread at Insadong.

The History of Veggies by Mary Lee