Okay, first the scene: You are a female tourist in Vietnam riding in a taxi on a busy street that is in the middle of some accident bumper to bumper crises. The car is not moving, you are sweating, you have no idea where you are and to make matters worst, you need to pee. So you cross your legs and wiggle around and send a silent prayer to whoever is listening to give you the strength not to urinate on the nice cabbies seat. Well it is not God who answers but the driver, “I have something for you.” he states and he hands you a shewee. That’s right, a shewee. Evidently they are rather common in some areas of the world, but I only heard of it recently from a friend whom was stuck in a taxi in Vietnam during a traffic accident at rush hour.

My friend never did use it; to shy, to North American, you pick. But she did take it with her and said that it was an interesting contraption made to help women ‘do their business’ without squatting. Appalled I asked, “You mean the driver wanted you to pee out the window with this thing?” She replied , ” Oh Kelly, nothing so uncivilized as that…..it had a bag!”

Intrigued and disgusted I investigated further and found that this is actually quite the popular little item. It has been at various ‘Outdoor’ shows throughout North America. It even has its own site (click here to order on line!). Initially the design was to help women that were unable to ‘assume the position’ while relieving themselves. This could be do to traveling, physical disabilities, wanting to write their name in the snow……you be the judge.

All I know is that the last thing I want in my purse next to my hair brush and my lipstick is my peeing utensil. Perhaps if Lisa Nowak had heard of the Shewee she would not have had such droopy drawers…… Even eBay is in on the action ( caution, pic is disturbing)