There are several sanitary public lavatories with good designs in Shanghai City, but only one with attendant Li Na.

The middle-aged woman has become a fixture at one of the public toilets in Yuyuan Garden for her attitude of taking a novel approach to a job most are unwilling to consider.

Li has taken it upon herself to learn several languages. She can communicate simply in English, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and even sign language.

"It's no big deal. I just feel keen to learn foreign languages and I am happy to help people," the 48-year-old said while helping an elderly woman step into a toilet cubicle.

Her introduction to other languages can be traced back four years when the public sanitation bureau of Huangpu District initiated training courses for employees working at public lavatories.

Li received a crash course of 40 frequently used English and Japanese sentences over three days. For the first time Li realized she could do more.

Although the training was limited, she couldn't wait to try her new skill at work.

"I had never learned foreign languages before the training," said the woman who has attended public toilets for more than 10 years. "It was really hard and sometimes I felt embarrassed."

But to her credit, she persisted. Li keeps listening to tapes and reading language books everyday.

She said her pronunciation was poor at first and there were many times when foreign guests couldn't understand her.

"I always keep an ear to foreign tourists and their guides," she said. "They enjoy helping me when I don't understand."

She's also expanded beyond servicing the toilet. She has a small information desk and even runs a small change service in the Garden.

Li says she has helped many tourists in the past few years, mostly with directions to other sites. But once in a while she goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Li recalls a day when a Japanese woman got lost and was separated from her tour group.

"It was about six in the afternoon when she stumbled into our toilet and asked for help," she said.

After listening to the woman, Li consoled her and lead her through the crowded maze of alleys to a parking lot. The tour group was waiting anxiously for their friend.

"The Japanese woman thanked me once and then again with tears in her eyes," Li said. "I was moved and found myself really helpful."

As for future plans, she hopes to learn more languages, especially Korean as she has noticed more tourists are coming from South Korea.

"Hello, insert a coin please," she said, while smiling as another foreign guest walked over.

Li can be found at her post in Yuyuan Garden seven days a week from 7am through 4pm.

(eastday.com March 30, 2004)