you sick liiitle monkeeeey!

corridor of Roppongi Station, Hibiya Line, Tokyo, Japan

The sign reads: Tachi shouben genkin, which translates to “standing urination strictly prohibited”. I guess the problem is so bad along in this station that they had to post a sign (and directions to the nearest toilet on the opposite platform)! It’s a pity we don’t have such a funny word as tachi shouben in the English language. We need three words: peeing while standing.

Japan seems to understand the concept of “when you gotta go, you gotta go” better than the US, where you can get fined for peeing in public. There, it is not uncommon to see men just whip it out and pee on the side of the road or against a building, usually after a night of drinking.In my town, I even saw an old man walk a couple of feet from the busy train station entrance, turn towards the wall, and just go right then and there in plain sight. It was the middle of the day, and he was holding some shopping in his other hand, so I had to admire his nonchalance and dexterity. The restroom was several feet away!