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Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

theatlantic.com

81–90 of 99 posts

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#81
post #73
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just no. I really don't understand this irrational, baseless fear. Water does clean. - Fatbergs ( danger in flushing them ) - Hands touching excrement, then you touching other surfaces. - No, an active nozzle can't get soiled the way you think. This is almost akin to thinking that a faucet can get dirty. The force of flow is a LOT larger than projectile acceleration no matter how bad those tacos where. In any case, m…

You're calling me irrational, but you're using folk pseudoscience to justify using bidets over wet-naps, which are superior to bidets. You can even get the scented ones that make your asshole actually smell nice.

Why are creating an artificial either/or straw man situation and arguing it so vehemently?

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many countries have them – too many to list. I think the first place I saw them was in Thailand. https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/cgyz5q/countries_t...

Not the countries I expected in Europe. I have traveled a lot in Spain/France/Italy and seen very few in hotels or private homes/AirBnBs. Let’s change the question: In which countries would it be seen as odd to not have one, rather than them being “not uncommon” as I’d assume this map is? Is that only in Asia these days?

That’s strange, because Italy has a law in place for which is mandatory to install a bidet in at least one bathroom in the house. “Health Ministry Decree 07/05/1975 Art. 7: For each accommodation, at least one bathroom must be equipped with the following sanitary facilities: toilet, bidet, bathtub or shower, sink.“ (https://www.indicenormativa.it/sites/default/files/Decreto%2...)

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#84
post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're calling me irrational, but you're using folk pseudoscience to justify using bidets over wet-naps, which are superior to bidets. You can even get the scented ones that make your asshole actually smell nice.

Why are creating an artificial either/or straw man situation and arguing it so vehemently?

Well, the bidet discourse isn't actually about hygiene, as you can see. It's a bad faith culture war discourse used to establish cultural superiority over other people. There's no point engaging with bad faith discourse and treating it as if it's in good faith.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#85

Kind of cheaper to use a watering can and a free hand.

sounds like a recipe for coronavirus, i hope no public restrooms are like this!

They're not and that's why I never go No. 2 in public. I cannot imagine just wiping a few times and pulling my pants up.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#86

Are bidets meant to be used with paper or without? It seems unlikely to do a good job with just a spray. Also, for males, doesn't genetalia and hair get in the way more, depending on the type of bidet?

I also have so many questions... I've lived in the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand and have never had an opportunity to try one before.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many countries have them – too many to list. I think the first place I saw them was in Thailand. https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/cgyz5q/countries_t...

Not the countries I expected in Europe. I have traveled a lot in Spain/France/Italy and seen very few in hotels or private homes/AirBnBs. Let’s change the question: In which countries would it be seen as odd to not have one, rather than them being “not uncommon” as I’d assume this map is? Is that only in Asia these days?

I am from Italy and I've never seen a house or a hotel there not having one. We have been used to use it since we are young and when speaking to other Italians abroad, the talk about "how can these people live without a bidet?" comes out a lot.

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#88
post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are creating an artificial either/or straw man situation and arguing it so vehemently?

Well, the bidet discourse isn't actually about hygiene, as you can see. It's a bad faith culture war discourse used to establish cultural superiority over other people. There's no point engaging with bad faith discourse and treating it as if it's in good faith.

[deleted]

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#89
post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the countries I expected in Europe. I have traveled a lot in Spain/France/Italy and seen very few in hotels or private homes/AirBnBs. Let’s change the question: In which countries would it be seen as odd to not have one, rather than them being “not uncommon” as I’d assume this map is? Is that only in Asia these days?

That’s strange, because Italy has a law in place for which is mandatory to install a bidet in at least one bathroom in the house. “Health Ministry Decree 07/05/1975 Art. 7: For each accommodation, at least one bathroom must be equipped with the following sanitary facilities: toilet, bidet, bathtub or shower, sink.“ ( https://www.indicenormativa.it/sites/default/files/Decreto%2... )

Weird. Maybe hotels are exempted from that?

Re: Why Don't Americans Use Bidets?

#90
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the countries I expected in Europe. I have traveled a lot in Spain/France/Italy and seen very few in hotels or private homes/AirBnBs. Let’s change the question: In which countries would it be seen as odd to not have one, rather than them being “not uncommon” as I’d assume this map is? Is that only in Asia these days?

I am from Italy and I've never seen a house or a hotel there not having one. We have been used to use it since we are young and when speaking to other Italians abroad, the talk about "how can these people live without a bidet?" comes out a lot.

Must be tough for Italians to travel across Europe and feel like savages when using bathrooms on holidays? A bit like when I use the “hole in the ground” model of toilet in some countries I guess.
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