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Americans, by and large, are quite bizarre when it comes to discussing anything that takes place below the belt. When I mentioned working at Google, I have had
by eob 14y ago
Americans, by and large, are quite bizarre when it comes to discussing anything that takes place below the belt.
When I mentioned working at Google, I have had multiple people say to me, "I heard the founders at Google are OBSESSED with toilets and import special models from Japan." As if one has to be stark raving mad to use a modern toilet from Japan, instead of the old fashioned toilet which was probably imported from China anyway.
- FrojoS 14y agoWhile I agree that Americans are especially prude, its not like these toilets are noticeable more common in Europe. Of course the French have their bidet...
- GuiA 14y ago>Of course the French have their bidet... I'm French- there's a bidet at my grandparents' house which is never used, and there used to be one at my parents' house but they removed it when they remodeled the bathroom because they never used it (it was there when they bought the house). I've only ever used a bidet to wash my feet (or as kids, we would put our swimsuits in it to dry). I'm not even sure what its original purpose is.
- StavrosK 14y agoIt's for washing your nether regions.
- forgottenpaswrd 14y agoSpanish here. I agree, we use the bidets basically for washing our feet too. The original purpose was for women and their period... those kind of things on a time in witch using large quantities of water inside the building(for shower) was not that common(shower needs high water pressure too).
- nvmc 14y agoThe original purpose is to squirt water at your anus to loosen any left over faecal matter.
- fab13n 14y agoThe bidet becomes increasingly rare, although there's an obvious reason why: it takes real estate. In india, they have a dedicated cup and tub near the floor. A godsend for the many visitors catching turista: you can only sustain so much dry wiping before getting a serious rash...
- andrewflnr 14y agoRegarding prudishness, there is actually some stuff up thread about how Americans are less shy about bodily noises.
- GFischer 14y agoHere in Uruguay most houses have a bidet too (since we copy the Spanish model), and I find it very useful. It's purpose is similar to that of the Japanese toilet, though way more primitive - the Japanese solution takes less space and is more advanced generally, but way more expensive.
- s_henry_paulson 14y agoFrom what I read on the internet 25-40% of people out there seem to stand up to wipe.. and I have to believe that's largely due to people never discussing how they use the restroom.
- theThirdMan 14y agoIs there an easier way to wipe?
- anonymous 14y agoEasier is subjective. The alternative OP is suggesting is sitting on the toilet and reaching between your legs. Personally, I find it easier to stand up, bend over and reach from behind.
- s_henry_paulson 14y agoNay. Reaching between your legs? I'd honestly never even thought that was an option. You just lean to the side, while seated. Just try it once, and keep an open mind.
- eob 14y agoNo, they stand because that part of the world is used to squatting when they go to the bathroom. The "toilet as throne" model is from the west. Over there, historically, toilets are built into the floor. The toilet bowl is a rounded-rectangle depression in the floor rather than something that sticks out of it. You stand with one foot on either side of the bowl and squat while you do your business. I prefer Western toilets (I'm American), but think the squat-strategy has a lot of sense to it: you never touch anything, and the squat position angles your body "just right" if you know what I mean. It's just a bit awkward for us (Westerners) when you're not used to holding that body position, though. There, now I can cross off "get into public internet discussion of pooping strategy" from my life goals list. :)