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Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

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11–20 of 65 posts

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#11

Before smartphones became the rage, American consumer technology always lagged behind japan in terms of adoption. I think this is still the case for a lot of things, including toilets.

Even in more rural parts of Japan, how quickly is technology adopted? Or do we make the assumption that Tokyo and a few other cities == Japan?

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#12
post #3

How do folks use bidets (or those spray-hoses they use in India) without getting water and feces everywhere? How do they dry off without using tons of toilet paper? The whole bidet thing just seems messy and unsanitary. I'm sure that there's a way to use it which isn't messy and unsanitary, but I'm not about to make a mess trying to learn!

The only place feces are going to go is inside the bidets, much like a toilet. It's not going to be flying around the room and the jet of water isn't that powerfull.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xnm1syPnwE

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#13
So I was shopping for bathroom fixtures with my wife and I decided to use the bathroom (the ones that were plumbed!).

I sit down, do my thing, and I notice there's a remote control unit. I press the button and a jet of water shoots up my ass, and I get so freaked out I stood up and got the rest of me wet, too. Having not read the manual, I press a few more buttons because I hear these things dry you as well. It did, after a few more squirting incidents.

It would have been cool to have one of these things, but they do cost a fair bit more than a normal toilet. Also your guests may never return to your house.

Oh and someday these things will be so advanced they will be considered intelligent. Terrible thought, an intelligent being whose whole life is looking where the sun don't shine.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#14

I brought one of these home from Japan and have been trying it out on unsuspecting houseguests. People usually yelp the first time (surprise heated seat!) and after the second time they're hooked. The water jet is unsettling the first time you use it, but you get used to it quickly. The feeling of having a genuinely clean butt gives you the confidence you need to go crush it in the boardroom.

How do you dry your ass off?

Obviously you still have toilet paper, but in my experience some of these toilets also have air jets for drying.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#16

So I was shopping for bathroom fixtures with my wife and I decided to use the bathroom (the ones that were plumbed!). I sit down, do my thing, and I notice there's a remote control unit. I press the button and a jet of water shoots up my ass, and I get so freaked out I stood up and got the rest of me wet, too. Having not read the manual, I press a few more buttons because I hear these things dry you as well. It did,…

Proctologist?

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#17
This is a big deal, but no one wants to think or talk about it. You can start to experience this by just taking a shower immediately after anything that would normally require a bidet (read: toilet paper... or kleenex). It's quickly realised that this means a LOT of time wasted taking showers and clothes-changing to stay clean in only two areas. And I'm sure everyone shaves often enough so that nothing sticks, right? It then become annoying, as this is entirely a solved problem from the engineering side (very much "not invented here"). I don't even use toilet paper any more. However, I live in an apartment and can't afford one of these washlets anyway, yet I very clearly see the advantages.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#18
post #2

Here's my answer: * no plugs near the toilet in American homes * too f'ing expensive Combined, these two turn getting a Japanese style toilet into a multi-thousand dollar investment. To compare, even reasonably nice toilets cost There are U.S. homes with Bidets in them. My sister had one in the master bath of her 1940s era home. But they're again another $200-400 prices plus plumbing costs. If somebody made a Japanes…

http://www.amazon.com/Luxe-MB110-Non-Electric-Mechanical-Att...

These definitely aren't nearly as nice as the Japanese toilet (which is mostly noticed in that the temperature of the bidet water is at pipe temperature), but they do render both of your big points moot. I own one, and I highly recommend them.

Re: Why Japanese Toilets Are Failing in America (2013)

#20

I brought one of these home from Japan and have been trying it out on unsuspecting houseguests. People usually yelp the first time (surprise heated seat!) and after the second time they're hooked. The water jet is unsettling the first time you use it, but you get used to it quickly. The feeling of having a genuinely clean butt gives you the confidence you need to go crush it in the boardroom.

> The feeling of having a genuinely clean butt gives you the confidence you need to go crush it in the boardroom.

Can't speak to bidets, but a while back on a whim I bought some flushable moist wipes and started using just like one at the end.

Yeah knowing you have a clean butt is totally a confidence booster.

Side note: on the general toilet subject

Niagra Conserveration's 1.25 gallon flaperless toilet is excellent that thing can flush a giraffe[1].

[1]Specifically it will flush >= 1kg of soybean paste http://www.map-testing.com/map-search.html

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