# Berrin a bidet **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 2, 2000, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911 "2000-08-02T23:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![madd1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@madd1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madd1)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2000, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/1 "2000-08-02T23:48:35Z")
While on assignment for the Air Force in Italy we were put up in a local hotel. We had four men to a room. My three roomies had never seen a bidet before and wonderd what it was for. After explaing it to them, they decided the best use for it was to cool beer. They were right, it keept beer cans cold. The best part was the scream from the Maid when she saw all the beer cans in it! ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2000, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/2 "2000-08-03T02:39:49Z")
[How do you use a bidet?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbidet.html) ---
**Author:** ![DaveoRad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2000, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/3 "2000-08-03T05:41:19Z")
A friend of mine visited France and, having never seen a bidet and thinking it was a foot bath, used it as such. (Later she denied this.) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2000, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/4 "2000-08-03T20:26:10Z")
Um, am I just being stupid, or does CyberSybar not answer the article’s question at all? I mean, he describes the bidet quite well. But he doesn’t say how to use it, what to aim it at, how long you use it, how you dry off, when you use it, etc. Any help? ---
**Author:** ![DaveoRad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/5 "2000-08-04T05:57:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Connor \* > \*\*Um, am I just being stupid, or does CyberSybar not answer the article’s question at all? > > I mean, he describes the bidet quite well. But he doesn’t say how to use it, what to aim it at, how long you use it, how you dry off, when you use it, etc. > > Any help? \*\* Did you follow the helpful link he provided? There you’ll find more than enough info. (As for drying off, you do this by patting the appropriate area with toilet paper or a towel [presumably burning the towel immediately afterwards].) As for “when”… I hope that’s obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/6 "2000-08-04T21:21:24Z")
DaveoRad said: > [@](#): > > [presumably burning the towel immediately afterwards].) Really, so do you burn your towel after every shower? Wouldn’t that be the same thing? Wash off the areas with some water, maybe even use soap if you’re inclined, then dry off like a normal person. Isn’t that the point of the wash, so you don’t have to burn the towel? ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2000, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/7 "2000-08-04T21:30:14Z")
Connor said: > [@](#): > > Um, am I just being stupid, or does CyberSybar not answer the article’s question at all? > > I mean, he describes the bidet quite well. But he doesn’t say how to use it, what to aim it at, how long you use it, how you dry off, when you use it, etc. > > Any help? Um, what article did you read? Cyberspar in article: > [@](#): > > What’s a bidet? A cleansing device for your naughty bits, a little shower for the nether region. That says where to aim it. Whatever parts are dirty and need a bath. How long? How dirty are you? Use till clean, right? How to dry off? You don’t know how to dry off? Toilet paper if you want to dispose of it, or a towel if prefer. Duh. Air blowers also work, if they are installed. When? > [@](#): > > Some folks think a session with one should be an integral part of your daily hygiene. Bidets offer the user a hands-free and supposedly superior water wash in place of the wiping and occasionally irritating action of toilet paper. (Sorry, Mr. Whipple.) Bidets are commonly used to relieve inflammation due to hemorrhoids, prevent recurrence of cystitis and vaginitis, and ease soreness associated with diarrhea. The bidet is also recommended for cleansing during menstruation and postpartum recovery. Post operative irrigation following colorectal surgery or fissure repair is another application. So after you take a dump, or if you’re menstruating, or after you take a leak if you’re a woman. Also recommended as the alternative to TP for medical conditions where TP would be uncomfortable. I think it’s pretty thorough. I guess you’re just being stupid. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DaveoRad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@DaveoRad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveoRad)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2000, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berrin-a-bidet/27911/8 "2000-08-05T08:20:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Irishman \* > \*\*DaveoRad said: > > > [@](#): > > > > [presumably burning the towel immediately afterwards].) > > Really, so do you burn your towel after every shower? Wouldn’t that be the same thing? Wash off the areas with some water, maybe even use soap if you’re inclined, then dry off like a normal person. Isn’t that the point of the wash, so you don’t have to burn the towel? \*\* You haven’t seen my towels.