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The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

nytimes.com

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Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#281

Post by saagarjha »

MichaelRo wrote: post #17
dep_b wrote: post #4

A bidet is standard equipment in Argentinian homes, even the poorest houses have it. Once you get used to it, it’s incomprehensible that in other countries people just wipe and…hope for the best. But often it’s hard to install one in bathrooms that are not designed for it. So a Japanese toilet is a somewhat over the top solution in our house.

>> it’s incomprehensible that in other countries people just wipe and…hope for the best. Well ... I don't have a bidet but doesn't mean I don't wash my buttocks after doing business. Unfortunately it's a bit of a taboo subject so it's not discussed, not taught in school / hygiene classes, just let it be. Best example I heard from someone is this: imagine you dip your hands in Nutella. Then try to clean them just wipi…

I feel like you should just buy a bidet if you're willing to go through all this trouble.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#282

Post by chgs »

socalgal2 wrote: post #253
tazjin wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're pretty common in Russia, too. In Muslim countries they're basically everywhere. When you're used to them it's very annoying to end up in a country that doesn't have them. Especially the US, which in addition has strange toilets that fill up with a lot of water during normal operation and bathroom stall privacy that begins 30cm above the ground.

Agreed. USA public restrooms are the worst as are USA public restroom manners.

The USA is the only country I’ve been to where you get massive gaps around the doors

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#283

Post by bjackman »

dmckeon wrote: post #79

If anyone wants to explore the bidet space without replacing an entire toilet, I can recommend the Neo line of products from https://luxebidet.com/ They sell kits for under $70 USD that attach to existing toilets, using the space between the seat and bowl, and attach to the toilet's water supply with a tee fitting and one-way valve, either at the wall valve, or at the bottom of the tank. Installation should take less…

I'm not able to install anything like this in my current home but if you live somewhere reasonably warm (so it's not super unpleasant to get a wet bum) I can hugely recommend something like this. (I want everyone to get one since I can't).

Living in Asia where the "bumgun" (bidet on a hose) is popular made me realise how barbaric toilet paper is. It's really quite disgusting and also very uncomfortable!

In India it's relatively common to see these retrofitted bidets that fit under the seat. Personally I think they're inferior to the hose but that's a personal preference, these things still work great, and they are less intrusive and probably easier to install. One of my Indian colleagues has one at his home in Europe too.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#284

Post by chgs »

neves wrote: post #101
layer8 wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it’s incomprehensible that in other countries people just wipe and…hope for the best. Nowadays many people use wet wipes. Probably less environmentally friendly, but they solve the same problem.

This is really terrible. Expensive and anti ecological. Also used water sprays all my life Maybe someday Americans will notice that they are the different ones.

American exceptionalism will never allow that. Either America is the best of everywhere or are the same as America.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#285

Post by DonHopkins »

socalgal2 wrote: post #253
tazjin wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're pretty common in Russia, too. In Muslim countries they're basically everywhere. When you're used to them it's very annoying to end up in a country that doesn't have them. Especially the US, which in addition has strange toilets that fill up with a lot of water during normal operation and bathroom stall privacy that begins 30cm above the ground.

Agreed. USA public restrooms are the worst as are USA public restroom manners.

[flagged]

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#286

Post by [deleted] »

remexre wrote: post #231
m463 wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect the practical reason they are not retrofitted is that few if any toilets in the US have a power outlet next to it.

They're hydraulically powered, not electrically; no outlet required, the same water intake that the jet uses is used for the mechanism as well.

[deleted]

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#287

Post by abc03 »

keepamovin wrote: post #273

I know the Japanese refined this (as they do so many things such as — no offense to Italians — pizza and pasta; I think the Japanese often do it really well), but I always thought this was a French/European thing and not really what you call a Japanese toilet. I’m certain the Japanese couldn’t be the first to find ways to heat seats or provide different settings for washing.

Indeed Geberit invented it and Toto marketed it. I have to say quite well.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#288

Post by eloisant »

socalgal2 wrote: post #253
tazjin wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're pretty common in Russia, too. In Muslim countries they're basically everywhere. When you're used to them it's very annoying to end up in a country that doesn't have them. Especially the US, which in addition has strange toilets that fill up with a lot of water during normal operation and bathroom stall privacy that begins 30cm above the ground.

Agreed. USA public restrooms are the worst as are USA public restroom manners.

Well at least they're usually somewhat clean. Can't say the same of French public toilets.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#289

Post by chgs »

riffraff wrote: post #223
KPGv2 wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Portugal, too, and that's Western Europe.

Does it? I've only been to Portugal a couple times (Lisbon and Porto) and houses had bidets (standalone), while bathrooms didn't, but didn't have tp buckets either.

Depends on the age of the building and the locations seeer system. Newer sewers and buildings can cope but older ones can’t.

Then there’s cultural expectations - if you have a country where you have gone decades of your life never flushing you will be expecting a bin even if the pipes don’t need one.

If you are staying in western hotels in major cities you will have a different experience than staying in private homes in villages.

Re: The Rise of the Japanese Toilet

#290

Post by chgs »

simfree wrote: post #30
mixmastamyk wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Power outlets are not allowed near water basins here and so are not installed into the wall near the toilet. Most often there’s only one outlet near the sink with a circuit breaker on an opposite wall. Heated is not necessary in California and more complexity means more likely to break, so YMMV.

You certainly can put a GFCI outlet adjacent a toilet, sink or in any other wet space. Please don't spread electrical code myths.

In your location.
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