Why Most People Do not Have a Bidet
- Bidets are common in certain parts of Europe, South America, the Middle East and Japan, although they have not become popular in the United States.
- The first bidets required that the hand be used to directly wash the genitals; People in the United States have traditionally been conservative in this area and would probably prefer the "protection" of the sanitary paper between the genitals and the hands
- During the Second World War, it is likely that US soldiers saw bidets in French brothels (and, perhaps they did not see them anywhere else), which spread the idea that they were "dirty" or "immoral"
- According to Kohler, the largest manufacturer of bidets in the United States, bidets are becoming more popular in the country, especially among the elderly and in the "luxury" bathrooms of higher quality
- The bidets offer greater hygiene, are more delicate with the skin and are better for the environment, than the sanitary paper; With bidet seats, you can even install one in your current bathroom
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If you live in the United States, it is very likely that your bathroom does not have a bidet. However, if you travel to certain parts of Europe, South America, the Middle East or Japan, bidets are common, and people in these places would not like to use anything else.
For those who are not familiar with how they work, the appearance of a bidet is similar to that of a toilet, but is designed to help you wash after using the bathroom. Most modern bidets have one or more spouts that spray water, which allows you to sit astride the appliance, for a cleaning far superior to that of sanitary paper.
In fact, the word "bidet" comes from the robust French pony with the same name. It got its name because the position that is taken on the bidet is very similar to the one that is made when riding on the horse.
Currently, there are much better and easier to use bidets (which can be placed on a regular toilet) and bidet toilets, which are like a toilet and a bidet in one (a hose with shower, under the seat, sprinkles water).
Bidets are much cheaper to buy and install and, although you could find some luxury that sell for $ 1500, there are many much less than $ 100 (and do not need a plumber). For me, they are an essential part of my hygiene.
In fact, one of the things I miss most when traveling is access to my bidet, so I always bring a portable one with me during the trip (which is similar to a plastic spray bottle, but it is much easier to direct the flow of water with her).
The bidets are easy to use, hygienic, delicate with the skin and good for the environment ... so, why have people in the United States not adopted this form of personal hygiene?
Why Bidets Are Not Popular in the United States
There are a variety of theories about why bidets are not popular in the United States, as they are in other countries. It is said that the artifact originated in France at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time, the bidet was, basically, a bowl full of water, with which you could splash water with your hand.
Around 1750, a manual pump was added that allowed to spray the water upwards. 1 Thus was born the modern bidet. According to Today I Found Out: 2
"The modern toilet that looks like a toilet developed in the 19th century and the popular bidet came into being in the 1960s, at the time when the American Arnold Cohen invented one of the most popular ...
In the 80's, the modern seat was improved with the creation of "washle" '(toilet with shower). Thanks to hoses with sprinklers that release jets of water and are controlled remotely, and the end with a hot air dryer, the washlet is extremely popular, particularly in Japan.
So, why do not people in the United States use it? After all, if there was fecal matter in any other part of his body, he would not clean it with toilet paper and would terminate it. Why would it be different with your ass? "
The most plausible theories about why people in the United States prefer to live without a bidet are: 3
History: In the eighteenth century, the British despised the French aristocracy (who were among the first to promote the use of the bidet). When the first settlers arrived in the United States, they probably brought this opinion with them.
World War II: During this war, it is likely that US soldiers have seen bidets in French brothels (and, perhaps they did not see them anywhere else), which spread the idea that they were "dirty" or "immoral" "
Conservatism: The first bidets required that the hand be used to clean the genitals directly. Traditionally, people in the United States have been conservative in this area and would probably prefer the "protection" of toilet paper between the genitals and the hands (in fact, the United States was so conservative, that the films did not show that a toilet was discharged until 1960, with the feature film Psycho). 4
Are Bidets Winning Popularity?
According to Kohler, the largest manufacturer of bidets in the United States, yes, especially among the elderly. 5 If you have arthritis or are not very stable when standing (which means you may have difficulty bathing regularly or even turning a little to clean yourself properly in the bathroom), a bidet could provide excellent personal hygiene.
There is also a theory that using a bidet could help prevent infections in the urinary tract, due to increased cleanliness, and this is another reason why they are gaining popularity in the elderly population.
But this is not all. Other people in the bathroom industry say that bidets are becoming fashionable as a luxury ... a way to improve the last "bulwark" that had not raised its status: the toilet. 6
Certainly, you can find bidets, bidet toilets and bidet seats with many spa-like luxuries, from digital temperature controls and "precision" hot air dryers, to caps that activate with movement.
How Much Was Waste Paper?
If the idea of greater freshness and less irritation does not appeal to you, consider this: Each year, people in the United States use about 8 million tons of toilet paper 7 and forests are destroyed to keep pace with this demand. As reported by the Council for the Defense of Natural Resources (NRDC, for its acronym in English): 8
"The major paper producers are forcing the destruction of the continent's most active forests as the habitat of innumerable wild species in the process has been devastated.
Instead of making better use of materials, such as recycled post-consumer fiber and agricultural waste, to meet the growing demand for toilet paper, hand towels and other disposable paper products, these companies buy virgin pulp from suppliers that go deep into the forests of North America in search of timber, from northern Canada, to the southeastern United States. "
If every household in the United States replaced only one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper with one made 100% with recycled fibers, 423 900 trees would be saved. 9 You can also choose to choose the sanitary paper that comes from forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
However, even toilet paper that comes from tree plantations grown especially for this purpose is not a sustainable long-term choice, since these plantations of a single species do not compare with the species-rich forests that have formed a natural habitat for centuries.
In addition to waste, the process of bleaching of sanitary paper causes the creation of cancer-causing chemicals, such as dioxins and furans, which not only reach the air, but also the rivers, the land and the food chain.
Exposure to even low levels of dioxins has been linked to hormonal alternations, damage to the immune system, reduced fertility, birth defects and other reproductive problems.
Are You Missing the "Luxury" of a Bidet?
Obviously, the sanitary paper has not been in use for so long. Prior to its invention, people from all over the world turned to their environment for the best ways to clean themselves and used items that were more practical and more available.
Among these are corn cobs, leaves, coconut shells and handfuls of snow ... although, no, I am not suggesting you try these options (unless you are very willing!)
Using a bidet makes much more sense and pays for itself in a very short time, with the money that would be spent on toilet paper, and will help you save valuable environmental resources, while reducing pollution.
When using a bidet, you may still need one or two sheets of toilet paper to dry (unless yours has a built-in dryer), but this is a tiny fraction of what it would take to clean. You can also do this with reusable rags of flannel pieces, sheets, and even old shirts.
The bidet could be emerging in the United States as a "luxury" item, although, once you try it, you will see it more as a necessity. Most people I know who have tried it, have loved it and only wish it had been obtained earlier.