My first time with a bidet was September 2010 in Venice.
I had heard of bidets but never saw one. At first sight, I didn’tย know what to make of the porcelain goddess.
Fitted with a faucet and drain–like a sink with the lines of a toilet bowl–I stared at it for a few minutes before dropping my pants and assuming the position. I cranked open the faucet and an arc of water undershot me (I was squatting instead of sitting), soaking my underwear and pants. Confused now, I retreated.
First appearing in 17th century Europe, the bidet’s primary function is to clean your private areas. Initially, placed in the bedroom, bidet–meaning Pony in French–was later moved to the bathroom taking a spot next to the toilet. The 1960s saw the introduction of the electric bidet, which attaches to the existing toilet; though, the standalone bidet can still be found in hotels, campgrounds, and houses across Europe, especially in France and Italy; though, I’m not sure if bidets are all that common in holiday cottages Yorkshire Dales in the English countryside. If you ever been or are going to be staying in any cottages in Yorkshire in the future, I’d love to know if the homes are equipped with bidets or not.
A year had passed since my first attempt with a bidet. As I stared at it from the toilet, I concluded the bidet was a dated relic like the VCR; it served its purpose, had a heyday, but the world had moved on.
I even thought about this post and how I couldn’t wait to write about the death of the bidet. However, the more I looked at it, the more curious I got. Could I really kill off something that I never properly used?
So I decided to give it another try.
Instead of just hopping on, though, I played with the faucet to get the pressure right. I also decided to skim the bidet with my buttocks instead of hovering over it.
Like Newton getting hit on the head with an apple, I had my eureka moment. I got it! And you know what I liked it.
Is the bidet necessary? No. But that’s like asking if an iPhone is necessary. Both are luxuries, but each one makes life that much sweeter, or in the case of the bidet–that much cleaner.
So my question to you is, do you bidet?
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11 comments
My dad bought me a Japanese style all in one bidet/seat warmer toilet seat…those things are awesome…and yes I love it!
@jenjenk, Wow, that sounds incredible! Its kind of like the Rolls Royce of toilets. ๐
Thanks for a genuine piece of investigative journalism. I’ve often asked myself the same question, but never had the guts to check it out. About the popularity of this fixture in Europe, bidets were very popular in Scandinavia in the 70s, but now people have found other ways to clean shoes and soak washing. In Italy, though, we and all our friends and neighbours have still got a bidet, but it’s never been used.
@Italian Notes, It was tough and a bit risky, but I feel I’m a better man for it. Plus, like all good investigative pieces, my main priority was bringing awareness to the people. ๐
Thanks for the extra information about the bidet too. I had no idea that it wore so many hats in its heyday.
I never used one until I arrived in Buenos Aires. I’m now a convert.
You can visit a place called Palacio de las Aguas in Buenos Aires and see a museum with lots of old bidet styles throughout their history. Gotta love a quirky museum.
I used a 2-in-1 toilet/bidet in KL Hilton once. Took a while to figure out but I have to say, I felt very fresh after that ๐
Seriously, one of the best posts I’ve read. Thanks for the quirky, insightful view into the world of bidets. I’ve used it once at a hair salon and found it a “fine excess.”
Hahaha… Charu! Just catching up on this comment and that is hysterical! A ‘fine excess’. I can’t seem to get the knack of them like Randy has. ๐@Charu,
i am so bidet here
AH, Bidets! My mother’s side of the family is French and they all seem to have the things in their apartments. However – we only ever used them for cleaning our feet after we’d been to the beach, so now you know!
Ok so I have an idea of how to use one but what do you do once the water stops? Been to Italy and saw one but was unsure how to use one, fee like I missed out now after reading this post ๐ my husband wonders if there’s a special towel everyone shares I told him no but I really don’t t know so..???
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