I was talking to a friend hotelier, and he was recounting that for over 10 years in the early 1980s, he was working in a hotel in China.

One time, there were a group of students who came, and each was carrying an umbrella.  He told the tour guide that at that time of the year, there was no need to carry umbrellas because it hardly rained.

The tour guide reiterated that they have been advised to bring umbrellas - reason is at that time, China dd not have doors to their toilets.

So when you have to go to the comfort room, an umbrella was needed to shield yourself if you don’t want to be seen!

Fortunately, China has progressed quickly, and in most places, you will see western style sanitary toilets with door and lock!