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Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

theatlantic.com

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Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#31

Post by ginko »

OminousWeapons wrote: post #7

I would encourage anyone who has never used a bidet to go out and try one. Most modern bidets are Japanese style (built into the toilet itself or replacing the toilet seat) rather than European style (discrete units which sit next to your toilet) and thus are much easier to install and use outside of a new construction. I had never used a bidet until I visited Japan a few years ago and I was instantly hooked after on…

I also got to try those when visiting Japan, but I have to say it didn't seem like a significantly better experience than just cleaning with toilet paper to me. Maybe I'm completely mistaken, but I do think I do a reasonable job cleaning myself with just paper so I didn't feel significantly cleaner.

But IMO the worst problem was that you now have a wet bottom, which you again need paper to dry. Combine that with the not-so-great quality of toilet paper in Japan and now you have small pieces of dissolved paper all over you.

Maybe I did something wrong, I guess some of the fancier washlets have a dryer, but that didn't really work all that great for me.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#32

Post by zdragnar »

publicola1990 wrote: post #21

There is lot of modern technology/appliances that Americans strangely refuse to adopt, induction cooktops and combination washer-dryer washing machines for example..

Induction doesn't work for all pans, and require a 240v line run to your stove top. Combo washer/dryers take significantly longer to do laundry, since you can only have one load going at a time.

These are tradeoffs, and there's nothing strange about that. Personally, I have looked at getting both, but the cost and tradeoffs (given how my kitchen is already set up and the amount of laundry we do) just didn't make sense.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#34

Post by gtaylor »

sgc wrote: post #25
sfeng wrote: post #14

I’ve shifted from the cheap bidet attachments on Amazon to the $300 Toto which includes both heated seat and water. It’s phenomenal, to the point that I added two new electrical outlets to my house to accommodate them. Particularly with the toilet paper ‘shortage’ it’s wild to me that so many people still waste their time and money using paper.

I don't understand the TP thing. You need to dry up with TP anyways. I certainly don't want an integrated seat that gets filthy with splash back when somebody takes a dump. I can understand the wands more, but still they risk getting very dirty from various users with various skill levels. We use wet wipes which is not ideal ecologically, but a bidet risks being far dirtier than a shopping cart handle and we conserve…

Most seat-mounted units have retractable nozzles that keep them out of the splash zone.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#35

Post by ghaff »

OminousWeapons wrote: post #7

I would encourage anyone who has never used a bidet to go out and try one. Most modern bidets are Japanese style (built into the toilet itself or replacing the toilet seat) rather than European style (discrete units which sit next to your toilet) and thus are much easier to install and use outside of a new construction. I had never used a bidet until I visited Japan a few years ago and I was instantly hooked after on…

I got a replacement seat version when I had my bathroom redone. I figured that, if it breaks down I can simply replace it rather than potentially have to have some specialist come to the house. (And, as it turned out, it did stop working properly post-warranty although as I replaced it I was suspicious the plumber just didn't install it properly. Which given the plumber's work generally would not have been a surprise.)

But, yeah, the big cost for most people outside of a remodel situation is the need to have a proper outlet installed.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#36

Post by zdragnar »

s5300 wrote: post #22

From the MidWest - I've personally been using a bidet since 13. Installed my own in the family home. In my personal region, and what I've found to be true of a decent, err, portion of the MidWest - the very act of washing in-between your arsecheeks, especially your actual anus, is seen to be gay/homosexual by many. Keep in mind, to these people I've referenced, to be gay/homosexual is one of the worst things you can…

Also from the rural Midwest, and have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. There's a fair amount of religious push back against the act of homosexuality, but this sounds fairly Twilight Zone-esque.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#37

Post by bootlooped »

sgc wrote: post #25
sfeng wrote: post #14

I’ve shifted from the cheap bidet attachments on Amazon to the $300 Toto which includes both heated seat and water. It’s phenomenal, to the point that I added two new electrical outlets to my house to accommodate them. Particularly with the toilet paper ‘shortage’ it’s wild to me that so many people still waste their time and money using paper.

I don't understand the TP thing. You need to dry up with TP anyways. I certainly don't want an integrated seat that gets filthy with splash back when somebody takes a dump. I can understand the wands more, but still they risk getting very dirty from various users with various skill levels. We use wet wipes which is not ideal ecologically, but a bidet risks being far dirtier than a shopping cart handle and we conserve…

I had a Toto washlet installed on a toilet for around 15 months. When I uninstalled it, I was prepared for the worst, but it was fine underneath. You just clean the seat and lid like any other toilet, with paper towels and some kind of spray cleaner, it's fine.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#38

Post by keepper »

ginko wrote: post #31
OminousWeapons wrote: post #7

I would encourage anyone who has never used a bidet to go out and try one. Most modern bidets are Japanese style (built into the toilet itself or replacing the toilet seat) rather than European style (discrete units which sit next to your toilet) and thus are much easier to install and use outside of a new construction. I had never used a bidet until I visited Japan a few years ago and I was instantly hooked after on…

I also got to try those when visiting Japan, but I have to say it didn't seem like a significantly better experience than just cleaning with toilet paper to me. Maybe I'm completely mistaken, but I do think I do a reasonable job cleaning myself with just paper so I didn't feel significantly cleaner. But IMO the worst problem was that you now have a wet bottom, which you again need paper to dry. Combine that with the…

When your hand is full of lets say chocolate... do you feel you can do a "reasonable" job cleaning your hands with dry paper towels?

Think about it for second...

That's why bidet seats ( and the often overlooked spray bidets ), are vital to good bum hygiene :)

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