Flying is never fun. Even in the best case scenario you’re the worse for wear by the time you get off the plane. This task is even less fun when there are babies involved. Sure they’re cute, but boy can they scream.

On my flight back from Hong Kong, I sat behind the most adorable little Chinese children. One such precious item was a little boy who was about 2. The only thing that was questionable about him were his pants. They looked like normal pants until you realized there was a slit from the butt to the waist. You know, kind of like the chaps that Prince wears. Now, I figured, sure, he’s a bit young for the rock star attire, but whatever floats his boat.

Halfway through the flight I feel something warm on my foot. And I freak out. And that’s because I know exactly what it is. That’s right, this little bundle of joy had managed to pee not only onto the seat, but through the seat onto my foot behind him.

And I knew it was pee right away because he had done the same thing to the guy next to me earlier in the flight.

Now maybe you think I’m an idiot for not changing seats, but frankly, I didn’t think that pee, like lightning, would strike twice.

After further investigation, I learned that “baby chaps” used to be quite common in rural parts of China. When the kid would have to pee, the parents would just hold him up over the dirt road and he could do his thing without anyone having to change a diaper. And yes, this saves on diapers and fertilizes the earth, but is definitely not meant for a 12-hour flight.

Even better, the flight attendants, who were helpful but were totally laughing at us, tried to explain that it was just part of Chinese culture. I assume they were talking about the buttless pants; after all, I don’t think golden showers on tourists’ feet have ever been a local custom.

- by Emily Epstein of b’scuse me? fame.