A what?????
By arkaf61
@arkaf61 (10881)
Canada
October 26, 2008 8:28am CST
I grew up in Europe… and Africa… and South America…in all those places I got used to one item that for many years I expected to see in a house no matter where I went. Until I came to Canada, that is.
I found it really strange not to see it in my house or any of the houses I visited.
Personally it is a very important item that surely helps with personal hygiene, and the first one in my list for when I have a chance to make renovations. I miss it dearly and find life so much easier with it.
Each time I visit a washroom I am still puzzled at the lack of a bidet. What happened in North America? How come bidets are not standard in washrooms?
As a woman, the lack of this precious item bothers me even more, but even my husband has and complained about the lack of one, specially during a bad stomach flu, so it’s not just a gender thing.
Ok, so we do have a bathtub and we can take a shower. But there are many times where we already had a shower but for some reason would need to wash just a part of ourselves. One that we can’t just wash in the sink, and really taking another shower will make no sense.
Seriously, what happened? What is the reasoning for not having them in the washrooms? Wouldn’t you use it if you had one?
8 people like this
19 responses
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
27 Oct 08
Until I came here I had rarely seem any home without one. Even the poorer houses used to have them. It did make lots of sense specially since I grew up used to it. For me it is a necessary item.
It is popular in Europe, I found them in Brazil and other latin american countries. My cousin lives in Japan and he tells me it's a big thing there as well.
2 people like this
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
26 Oct 08
I have only seen a few bidets in some places in the world. I don't have one and none of my friends have one. My bathroom is small and I had fitted in it a toilet, a hand basin and a full length bath. I have a separate en-suite shower room just off my bedroom. I looked around a bathroom showroom before buying my bathroom suite and I didn't see any bidets there. If I had a bidet I would find it useful.
4 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
27 Oct 08
Hello my friend :)I seem to recall you live in England. I found some there, but they don't see to be as common as in other places in EUrope. I think more in Southern EUrope and France. I do find it very useful and wish I had one. I have been thinking about getting one of those that are actually under the toilet seat. It's not exactly the same thing, but will do :)
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
27 Oct 08
Hi Arka,
I think it is a cultural thing. Most North Americans would not use a bidet.I think way back they got used to take plenty of showers and baths while water was cheap in contrast to Europe for instance where it has been expensive for a long long time, so Europeans used the bidet in between showers and baths for a quick cleanup of certain body parts. Also the invention and copious use of soft toilet paper in North America may have something to do with it. I have seen bidets in Europe many times but I could not bring myself to use one. What about all the germs that lurk in the bowl? One time when travelling with my mother-in-law who had her own hotel room she told my husband and me what a wonderful "footbath" that was. Neither he nor I had the nerve to tell her the true function. A European friend of mine here has what I call a portable bidet. It hangs on the wall when not in use. When needed she fills it with warm water for use. It looks more like a potty for grown-ups. You can certainly buy bidets in North America and have them installed but from what I hear this renovation is expensive and the demand is not great.
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I have never used one, so I do not know. Maybe it was our Puritanism, we did not even admit that that part exists
. It makes sense to have one, I guess. Would be soothing to people with hemorrhoids as well, I am sure. 
Do they use them in the U.K.? When did they come on the scene, historically? I guess I could research. I have seen extensive remodeling books that talk about them. My bathrooms are not spacious enough to accommodate one, though.
. It makes sense to have one, I guess. Would be soothing to people with hemorrhoids as well, I am sure. Do they use them in the U.K.? When did they come on the scene, historically? I guess I could research. I have seen extensive remodeling books that talk about them. My bathrooms are not spacious enough to accommodate one, though.4 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
26 Oct 08
Yes puritanism seems to have a part in it.But from people that I've talked to, even in the US there seem to be areas where this particular item is more popular than in others going from quite common to never heard of LOL
People often state space and indeed it might take some space if a traditional bidet will be used. However nowadays with all the new things coming up there is a trend for the "bidet in the toilet seat" or similar products. They are not exactly the same thing but are at least better than none. Prices vary from affordable to " are you kidding me?" But the majority of people experiencing feel it's a very positive thing,not even mentioning that it also can save in toilet paper.
Check these ones: http://pilotbidet.com/productbb200.htm
http://www.biffy.com/?gclid=CPLSlfy1xZYCFQKaFQodg2S3xQ
these ones don't take space LOL
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I grew up in Europe too. In fact I was in Europe for over one month and I just came back few days ago. Bidet has great use and is very helpful.
I noticed also that most houses in Europe have bidet in the same room with bathtub or shower, while toilet is in separate room. I would rather see bidet with toilet not bathtub or shower.
4 people like this
@relundad (2310)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I have never actually seen a bidet in person. I don't think they were ever popular in America. I don't know that I would use it since this is not what I am used to. I especially can't imagine using one in public. But I guess if that is what you are used to I can see how you would miss it.
3 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
26 Oct 08
Yes, I don't think they were ever that popular in North America. I know of many people that are not even sure of its functions. Puritanism seems to be one of the reasons. Some people claim that the fact that it seems to have been invented in France predisposed americans against it. Other just that the idea of cleanliness was supported by nice bathtubs and showers making the bidet not necessary.
WHich seems irrational because both serve different purposes. It is specially a great idea for women, but also for anyone in general.
Americans concentrate on baths of showers which is fine, of course, but there are times where bottoms need to be cleaned more often - consider stomach flu for example - and then what? Take 30 showers a day just to clean up specific parts? LOL
@relundad (2310)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I see your point, we were just never afforded this as a habit for hygiene cleanliness. Of course you know that way that we customarily clean ourselves and that's they way that we know it.
It's seems though that if this was not sufficient that there would be some medical studies or something to say otherwise. Which leads me to believe that it basically is just custom in some parts of the world.
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
27 Oct 08
I agree that it is more of a costume although some doctors do recommend their use for people with hemorrhoids, and other common bottom parts problems.
I think that the paper toilet companies are the winners in here:)
Not using one certainly does not equate with lack of hygiene and people use what they are used to.
For me it is a logical thing because I grew up used to it. For others it is something unnecessary.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
27 Oct 08
in my home country, a bidet is a common thing too as we need it to wash our private part after we pee or poo... when i come to australia, i am also amazed that we don't have this thing in the toilet... and i am a bit uncomfortable at first because i have to wash my private part using toilet paper everytime which i think is not as clean as if i use water... anyway, i get used to it now and i just provide a pail of water in my bathroom to wash my private part... take care and have a nice day...
2 people like this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
27 Oct 08
ive seen them on tv..and know that the really fancy (and therefore expensive lol) hotels usually have them. actually im sure ive never seen on in person at all.
while the idea of being able to clean that specific area without having to get into the shower again, is appealing..i just dont know how "comfortable" i would be trying to actually use one. i mean its basically just a jet of water up your backside right?
ok i have whats probably a silly question. after you've used the bidet and are clean again..do you just use a hand towel to dry off? ..and if its in a public bathroom (i think they are public bathrooms in other countries?) how would that work? just those rough brown paper towels to dry off with? those things could hurt lol!
2 people like this
@cassandralynn (1084)
• United States
27 Oct 08
I would love to have a bidet. And your right, a person shouldn't have to shower all the time just to clean one spot. I think it's proper hygiene for people. I'm a American and I never knew what a bidet was until I ran across a website that spoke about how important it was to use one, it sold me for sure! Men and women both can benefit from owning one and one of these day's I would love to have one installed in my bathroom:)
2 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Oct 08
arakf61 I live in the USA and had never even heard of one til just awhile back,I agree the idea is great, and would help when one doesnt feel clean after having used toilet tissue. I am sure I
would use a bidet if we could buy one. I dont know where they are for sale here however. Maybe wealthy people have them in their homes, I would not know.They are not standard here in North America but wish they were.I understand a lot of other countries do have them and they are the standard this does make a lot of sense. As I said if they were put into public washrooms I would use it but the washrooms must be kept clean, and a lot of our public washrooms are not as clean as I would like. lol.2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
13 Jun 09
[b]Thank you for the "Best Of" mark! Make my day, why doncha!! LOL!
By the way, an old Star Trek joke: If there were a ST dictionary, & you looked up the word "bidet," it would be spelled phonetically as "B'Dey," & the meaning would be: Vulcan for "naughty toilet."
Only ST fans are likely to get that, though..../o
Maggiepie[/b]
1 person likes this
@cndn420 (2062)
• Canada
26 Oct 08
in our house we have a bidet in my parents bathroom which is use often enough. they are great to have in the house. like you said, if you ever need for some reason to wash other parts of your body after you've showered and don't need to fully shower again, they are fantastic!
i think bidet's are a fantastic addition to any house!
2 people like this
@hebathomas (2)
• Jamaica
26 Oct 08
Maybe it is strange to because of where you come from but for most people like me living in the Caribbean it not a big deal. In fact the only persons who usually have one in their houses are rich people, for the rest of us we just make do. I can understand how hard it may be for you because you are use to having one, but for now just take the bottom half of your clothes off in the shower and if you have one of those adjustable showers(the ones that can take down and move around)and just do your thing until you get one. It may be a little bit different but it does the job.
2 people like this
@Ghost_In_The_Machine (106)
• Australia
27 Oct 08
I grew up in the Netherlands and am now living in Australia and bidets are not a common thing in either of those countries.
It's not an important item, lol. It's a LUXURY! You don't need it. If you're so concerned about your hygiene take a shower. :)
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
13 Jun 09
[b]I disagree, especially in cases where water is scarce or costly. Showers eat a lot of H2O! Also, we use the toilet seveal times a day, as a rule, certainly far more than most prefer to shower! Talk about wasteful!
Not only that, it doesn't have to be that expensive, now, apparently, & it would help with sanitation--a vital thing. A 'luxury" would be, say, a hot tub. And in fact, without proper maintenance, those can be dangerously unsanitary!
Maggiepie[/b]
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28954)
• Canada
13 Dec 10
My Aunt lived in Europe, and then came back to Canada to open a Bed & Breakfast. She put a bidet in the guest bathrooms, and it is a great idea. While I was never raised with one, I also think it is a really good idea. I think it would be nice to have during my menstrual period. I could get a lot cleaner that way. If I ever get out of this apartment, and get a nice house with a bigger bathroom, I'm going to have one put in.
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Well I have heard of them and think we Americans should have them in our homes and in public places. I could really see the good use of one. Helping in potty training a child would be one reason. A woman's time of the month another and like you said stomach flu. All good reasons and it would be toward better hygiene and health. I understand why taking showers are silly. I know a few high classed ritzy places in hotels have been known to have them but mostly no one does. Don't know why that is. With all the new ideas of our generation the last 30 years you would have thought Americans would have got past out dated prudish ideas and realized what a good item this would be to have in our homes.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
27 Oct 08
that really must be a thing in Europe. I have never seen one unless i have seen it on tv. it is funny how something like that is so important one place, but in another place it is not even thought of as being something important. very interesting
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Oh, I agree something like that would be nice and we don't have them I don't know. I think it is definitely something I would put in my bathroom if I had the space.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
26 Oct 08
in Japan they make bidet build in toilet with remote control...
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Oct 08
You got me thinking..and I did a search and a bidet can be added on to a standard toilet...this is something I must look into.
Thanks!
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Yes, I just found one in a toilet seat with a remote control....cheaper then a tv...and worth it if you ask me
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
13 Dec 10
Hi Arkaf,
I read a lot so I have actually heard of them but I have no idea what one would look like. Sounds like a handy thing and maybe something you should raise some awareness about. I'm in the States and I have never ever seen one anywhere. I'm sure if they were available, I would use it and I'm sure a lot of people would.
