July 02, 2003

Wednesday July 2, 2003 • Howard Tayler

Singapore is now presenting awards for great public restrooms, as part of their new "Happy Toilet" campaign. I share this because although the CNN coverage is probably sufficient for most of you, attention should be called to a truly choice quote from Environment Minister Lim Swee Say. This statement, delivered at a news conference during which the first five-star toilet was awarded, still makes me giggle.

"I am looking very forward to experiencing this toilet myself so I can walk out of the toilet feeling happy."

Mister Lim has me depressed. I mean, I work hard at professional comedy, but he's funny on so many different levels, I can't even BEGIN to compete. He does have competition, though: Restroom Association President Jack Sim, who is also a philosopher, after a fashion...

In total we spend almost three years of our lives on the toilet. It's natural and it's normal, so let's learn to say: 'Wow! That's a great toilet!"

I believe no greater tribute can be paid to these two men than that several of you immediately update your .sig files with these phrases (correctly attributed, of course.)

In closing, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, which has nothing to do with toilets in Singapore, was quite enjoyable. I giggled all the way through it.