The idea of using a bidet is a strange one too many people, especially since most people who live in North America may not even know what a bidetseat is. Bathroom hygiene can be an awkward subject, especially when you bring female hygiene into the discussion. Many people worldwide prefer using this device in place of toilet paper, however, and consider toilet paper to be savage and unsanitary. I myself was skeptical of the idea of using bidet seats to clean up after using the bathroom?until I encountered one up close and personal in Japan.
Traveling to a foreign country can be great fun, but most people experience what is often called ?culture shock? when confronted with practices that are different from their own. This happened to me the first time I used the bathroom in Japan and could not find the toilet paper. I finally figured out that I was supposed to use this strange device to clean myself, and it is not as if I really had a choice by that point. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the experience?and to my even greater surprise, so did my husband in the men?s room. The water was pleasantly warm, the air dried me pleasantly, and I felt cleaner than I had in a long time.
After returning from our vacation in Japan, I researched how to buy one of these for personal use. I found a website called Bidets Plus that allowed me to select from a variety of attachable bidet seats for a reasonable price. While getting used to using this device was a bit strange at first, I decided that I did not want to go back to using toilet paper. I save money by not having to by toilet paper all the time, which is a feature of this apparatus that my husband definitely likes. Speaking of family members, you can also purchase smaller bidet seats that are perfect for potty training.
I was not sure how well my little girl would take to using our bidet seat; I was afraid that the bidet would not fit her size, but our 2-year-old daughter had no problem whatsoever using it. While we had a few accidents at first (you know how children are at that age), our daughter quickly came to love using Mommy and Daddy’s grown up bidet. Children can be messy when they are two years old, but bidets make cleaning up potty messes easy even with young children.
Teaching a child to use the bathroom can be difficult, especially when you bring toilet paper into the mix. Children’s motor skills are not usually developed enough to use toilet paper in the best way to ensure a thorough cleaning, but bidets can help parents teach their children how to get the cleanest bathroom experience. True, it did take our daughter a few tries before she figured out the bidet controls. I do not, however, think that it took her any longer to figure out how to work our bidet seat than it would have taken her to learn to properly clean herself with toilet paper after using the bathroom.
If you are considering buying a bidet or a bidet seat, do not let your child be the reason for eventually talking yourself out of doing so. Just make sure that you buy a bidet seat that is small enough for your child and then teach him or her to use it.
When I went to Japan, I never imagined that I would bring anything back with me other than a few souvenirs and memories. Like many other people in North America, however, I and my family discovered the joys of ditching toilet paper and could not be happier. I am not alone, either; these seats and other such are selling faster in North America than they ever have before. Do not be surprised if, some day in the future, you walk into a friend?s bathroom and see a bidet seat.?
So true! For me, this is one of the best inventions the Japanese made. I exactly feel how you felt the first time. I was so hesitant to use it because I’m used to using tissue paper. But that first experience made me change my mind about bidets, and convinced me to start looking for our own. I thought I’ll have a hard time finding one. I thought that the best ones can probably be bought only in Japan. I was glad to find a lot of great ones online. Complete with product descriptions, features, functions and everything that I should know before buying one. I ended up buying right away. Now, the family enjoys it. Even my husband who was against it at first (since he’s the one paying) is now very happy and said that it was one of our great buys. My 5 year old daughter learned to use it fast. She used to play with it all the time, but it’s fine with me, at least I know that she’s very clean. Getting rid of tissue paper is also good for the environment so that’s also a big plus for us. I hope many people will be convinced to use this in their homes. I already convinced my relatives, friends and everyone who visits my home. Now they call me the “bidet advocate”. =)
I’ve heard of these, but never actually seen (or used) one. It’s an interesting concept. My husband spent a few weeks over in Japan for the military and he loved these LOL.
Those are so cool! I’ve never used one but they seem like they’d be nice to have.
I’ve never tried one, so I’m skeptical – but I’m definitely open to trying one!
We went to Japan a few years ago and my husband was OBSESSED with the toilets. I should get him one of these bidet seats for Christmas. :D
I think my American brain could get used to something like this. I saw these all over Europe but never tried one.
I agree with this post on so many levels. It boggles my mind that the bidet isn’t more popular in the states. I hope that eventually this ides will take hold eventually, because it is such a great device. I know that something like this might take getting used to, but there are so many positives, most importantly the environmental impact. Thanks for the great post!