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Why aren't bidets more popular in America?
It's rare to find a bidet in the United States, despite an almost obsessional level of cleanliness on other fronts. I can't figure out why.
Mon, Apr 23 2012 at 2:45 PM
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Photo: Dell Aqua/Flickr
The U.S. has long prided itself on being a cleanliness-first nation. All throughout my childhood, I heard about "dirty" Europeans and "smelly" French folk. My school friends, and sometimes even their parents, would joke about how women in other countries didn't shave legs or armpits and how glad they were that kind of behavior didn't fly in America — unless one was a "dirty" hippie, that is.
We have been through the toxic wringer and back in attempting to keep our homes not only sparkling clean, but germ-free (which very well might be contributing to supergerms and auto-immune diseases per the "hygiene hypothesis"). And we spend tons of money in pursuit of that elusive state. Thankfully, many of us have realized the irony of bringing a plethora of chemicals into our homes to make it "clean," and nontoxic product use is on the rise. Nonetheless, we are still a dirt- and germ-avoiding nation.
Which is why it has always surprised me that bidets — which can be separate basins or integrated into a regular toilet (if one is lacking space) — are so uncommon in America.
Also on MNN: What's better, toilet paper or bidet?
After all, what could be cleaner than actually washing oneself after using the bathroom? Relying on toilet paper is often insufficient, and not only does extra TP usage mean toilet clogging is more common, it is clearly wasteful to use TP for a job that's beyond its powers. Bidets are a far greener solution to using reams of extra toilet paper to make sure you're clean.
And ironically, bidets save water too (even though they use it). How? Well, think about how many times you have taken a full-on shower when you didn't really need one, because you felt a bit sweaty (after sports), uncomfortable (from wearing restrictive clothing), or just not clean down below (after sex)? (Or for women, while menstruating?). Not only is it a hassle and a time-waster to take more than one shower a day, but it's a waste of water and fossil fuels for all that extra hot water.
Bidets are found throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia (especially Japan) and pretty commonly in South America (basically everywhere besides the U.S., Canada and Australia), but I know exactly one person who has one, and he is originally from South Africa.
But bidets are growing in popularity in the U.S. - the Toto Washlet being a specific brand that is popping up in all kinds of home renovations and new buildings. (I've seen them featured on house-hunting shows on TLC as well as in listings for NYC apartments; for now they are always considered a "perk" or "extra.") Here's one trend I hope will trickle down — pun intended.
The next time I know I'll be living somewhere for more than a year, I'm going to invest in an in-toilet unit bidet for myself and my partner. How about you: would you consider a bidet during your next bathroom upgrade?
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A squeeze bottle with water in it is a much cheaper alternative. I learned this at the hospital when I had my first baby over 40 yrs ago.
I live in a midsize Texas town and remodeled a bathroom over a decade ago. The room is plumbed for a bidet and the fixture sits unused in the garage. Nobody knew how to install it. This may motivate me to try again....
I have no idea why the bidet is not popular in this germophobic society. I have lived in France and other places where they are common and would have one here in a shot, if I didn't have such a tiny bathroom. They are even great for just washing your sore 'shopping feet', or even soaking a bit of laundry, yet I've heard people (especially young men) snicker about them. Why? There's something about genitalia that Americans don't seem able to handle.
Heck yes, I'd have a bidet! For all the reasons listed in the article.
It seems that this would help in keeping clean and reduce the use of toilet paper, but you still need to dry. Toilet paper? Hair dryer (I use one after showering to avoid fungus infections in moist areas)? Toweling - only if I used soap with the bidet. Hmm. . .
The reason Americans don't have bidets is because while we are obsessively clean we're also tirelessly puritanical. Anything squirting at your butt might be considered the devils work, even if it's just to get it clean.
Not to mention, we as a nation seem to have a cultural dislike for anything remotely French. [See "Freedom Fries"] To have any chance at selling the merits of a bidet in the U.S., it would have to be rebranded/renamed.
You do realize that this is a myth don't you? Sure, we ridicule the French people (who doesn't) but in general Americans like french things. French food, French fashions, ect., and yes, EVERYONE actually does call them French Fries. Not to mention the fact that France is a VERY popular US tourist destination. Simple fact is Americans have not grown up with bidets, so they don't "get" them. Nothing more surprising than that.
when i was in France (living in a school dorm with the bidet in the same room as your bed), one of my friend washed her dishes and left it in the bidets. it was gross thinking about the fact that she and others used those dishes.
Costco has a great one for $200!! We have one in our house and love it!
http://amdmllc.com/?p=299
Less AH problems too"
If you're stupid, I must be, too; although I score higher than average on IQ tests. I have all the same questions.
I for one visited Turkey 4 yrs ago. and fell in love with Bidets..
when i returned home to NY i looked up on the internet and Found the company called BioBidet.. and bought one.. Best damn item ive ever invested in.. when family or friend come over they are hooked also.. anywhere i move will now get one they have inexpensive models and high grade ones. i choose the hot and cold feature trust me go for it America!!!
Throughout SE Asia, most toilets have a hose attachment that serves the same purpose. In public places they usually do not have toilet paper. You don't need it! A hose can wash off even steak 'n potato poo residue.
My wife is from Japan and has been pining for an all-in-one toilet/bidet for years now. As Beverly mentioned, the two show-stoppers for us has been cost and lack of an electrical outlet near the toilet. The non-electric versions aren't viable because, after all, the heated seat is a requirement, especially during the winter months! Hopefully they'll come down in price if they gain popularity.
Where do you live? I live in Las Vegas with my wife who is from Japan also. We thought the washlets were expensive until we stumbled onto one one sale in Little Tokyo LA. Check your local Chinatown and you may be surprised.
Ummm...how do you dry your butt off afterwards?
A little bit of tissue thats all.. and i own a tioilet that has 2 modes of flushes
I like dingleberries.
I come from the tropics where bidets are standard bathroom equipment. They are great and leave one feeling much cleaner than just using TP. A bidet is certainly on the planning list for my new retirement home.
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