Bidets vary all over the world but the concept is confusing to many travelers who haven’t seen one before. When I posted the video, how to use a squat toilet, Maggie asked me to post a video on how to use a bidet and this is a pretty good one that covers the basics.
There are many bidet setups all over the world (mostly in Europe and Asia) and Gourmantic has a nice wrap up of some when you’ve got to go. Essentially a bidets are used to clean your backside, genitalia, and not for drinking, washing your face or brushing your teeth.
I find it amusing that a travel blog would have a post such as this, but indeed, this can be useful to people who don’t even know what a bidet is. I first encountered a bidet 4 years ago, in a hotel in Rome. Being a Filipino, a bidet is a foreign concept. Although I grew up in Japan and encountered toilet bowls with built-in bidets, I found the idea of having two bowls in the restroom rather bizarre. Now I know how bidets work, but I am sure there are other people who would benefit by reading and watching this information!
Funny how toilets vary around the world. I never would have thought to post this video but since someone asked I thought it would be useful for those who didn’t know what a bidet was. (Glad you think so too!)
“Essentially a bidets are used to clean your backside, genitalia, and not for drinking, washing your face or brushing your teeth…” Oh my God ! Do some people think like that ?
My encounter with a bidet is very old. I was a small kid and the moment I saw it first time (it was smaller than the regular one), I had shouted (w/o thinking) this is the kind of thing they should always provide to girls & ladies and not the regular one. 🙂
After that many encounters in different countries and it doesn’t matter now.
I can only imagine what a bidet blooper-reel would look like. They’re not found in North America and I’m sure they throw off people in many parts of the world. I hope nobody has used one as a sink, but it must have happened to more than a few tourists!
Anil, you crack me up! I love this post, and not only because it is fun, smart and informational. It is something I would do (and have done!) as in photograph and document to share with others. Nice touch with the cheesy music!
Thanks for the kind shoutout on my toilets post 🙂
😀 I thought of your toilet post immediately when I began preparing this post. Sometimes I think us adults are really little kids inside and we still get a kick out of anything involving potty.
I’ve heard of people sitting on squat toilets (literally sitting on them) and using the bidet for all sorts of things. Guess if you’ve never seen one they can be tricky!
All these things I never wanted to know and never wanted to ask – but entertaining. Rarely see a bidet in the UK unless in an international style hotel – we generally find a regular bath or shower is sufficient.
The first time I saw a bidet like this I was confused myself. Makes a bathroom break a bit more time consuming.
What a hoot! I must admit that I never knew how they worked. Next time, I’ll definitely try it out.
Takes some getting used to but grows on you quickly.
And now we know! Thanks Anil 🙂
Anytime!