Kaidangku - Chinese Split Pants for Kids

Traveling the world is an enlightening experience--sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so good, and sometimes just bizarre.

Kaidangku, aka "open crotch pants", certainly fit into the bizarre category when viewed through my Western American lens.

Hang out at a playground in China for an hour and chances are you'll see more than one little tyke climbing on the monkey bars with his "johnson" hanging out. At first, your impulsive reaction might be, "Oh, that's cute...or funny." But thereafter, the logical part of your brain might start to wonder, "Ok, what is the purpose of that...oh, they're really going to pee or poop right there on the concrete...yuck!".

Fortunately, more and more Chinese can afford diapers and recognize the inherent health problems with letting your kid relieve herself like a Golden Retriever. It's a less common sight in urban China now, but venture beyond city limits and the visible little butts are more prevalent.

While Americans often look to Asia for their next trend (sushi, yoga, learning Mandarin, etc.), something tells me Kaidangku will not quite catch on here. Although, come to think of it, an adult version may make it much easier to poop or pee during an Ironman Triathlon event. Maybe I'll pitch the idea to Nike?