# Do the Lebanese use toilet paper? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 28, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113 "2003-10-28T22:28:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![robo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@robo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robo99)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/21 "2003-10-30T07:04:37Z")
Of course, the more advanced Western cultures use Bidets. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/22 "2003-10-30T07:13:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hapaXL \* > **You pour the water over the “affected area,” using your hand to do a quick scrub.** Pardon my asking, but how do you pour water “over” something that is under? And how is using your bare hand to scrub your anus more sanitary than the toilet paper method? ---
**Author:** ![Fang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/23 "2003-10-30T07:36:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hapaXL \* > **I got my wings in Indonesia. You pour the water over the “affected area,” using your hand to do a quick scrub. Then you wash your hands. It’s more sanitary than the dry TP method.** Given that this method involves getting shit on your hands, I’d say a cite would be in order here. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/24 "2003-10-30T10:53:48Z")
Once again, somebody attributes a precept to the Qur’an that is not actually in the Qur’an. If everything that people said was in the Qur’an really was there, it would be the size of the _Encyclopædia Britannica_. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/25 "2003-10-30T11:34:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fang \* > \*\*Given that this method involves getting shit on your hands, I’d say a cite would be in order here. \*\* I’ve travelled extensively in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as having visited the United Arab Emirates. In these countries, TP is almost non-existent outside tourist centres. In the poorer areas in SEA they have a scoop with a handle and a pouring spout, which is floating in a big bucket of water (in richer places they have a hose with a spray nozzle). Here’s how you do it: with the scoop, you pour water sort of down your arse crack with your right hand from behind (bear in mind that most of the toilets are squatters so it’s easier to alter the angle of one’s butt), and catch the water with your left hand, which is hovering by your chocolate starfish. Splash the water on the dirty area and give a scrub, pour again if very soiled, then pour again to rinse. Clean, clean feeling (though how one’s meant to dry off always mystifies me). Then wash the hand very thoroughly with soap. The habit of not touching anything important with the left hand keeps this even more hygienic, but people I’ve observed in Arabic countries are utterly scrupulous about washing their hands before eating, too. ---
**Author:** ![smootman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@smootman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smootman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/26 "2003-10-30T14:57:22Z")
but (no pun intended) how do you wipe with stones? ---
**Author:** ![MasterChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@MasterChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MasterChief)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/27 "2003-10-30T16:56:25Z")
Well, I am Lebanese. I fully confirm that every single lebanese living in lebanon or abroad use toilet paper. I would like to add, that we lebanese are cleaner that the average french (i am currently studying in france) who bathes each next day and most of the time has oily hair. ---
**Author:** ![hapaXL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@hapaXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hapaXL)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/28 "2003-10-30T17:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Walloon \* > \*\*And how is using your bare hand to scrub your anus more sanitary than the toilet paper method? \*\* > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Fang_ > **Given that this method involves getting shit on your hands, I’d say a cite would be in order here.** The water is doing most of the work, so you’re just doing a quick rub to help it along. You’re not jamming your dry hand in shit. Read **jjimm** ’s post to clarify. When you wash your hands thoroughly with soap, your hands will be just as clean as a TPer. But your ass will be April Fresh. Do Western people really find it that hard to believe that non-Western people can be cleaner than them? When travelling in Africa, I saw that everybody washes their hands before eating - restaurants usually have a sink in the dining room to facilitate this. Most people eating in restaurants in the USA don’t seem to wash their hands first. Western Civilization isn’t the end-all be-all of hygiene. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/29 "2003-10-30T17:26:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by smootman \* > \*\*but (no pun intended) how do you wipe with stones? \*\* Yeah, there are several holes in this story that need clearing up… Do you re-use your own personal rock?? Pet shit rock?? Do the rocks get washed if they are community rocks, or discarded? If discarded, is there a fecal-covered rock storage area? Does nature help return the rocks to a useable condition? Dung beetles?? Is there a rock proprietor that supplies the rocks, or is it every man for himself?? I don’t want to insult anybody’s customs, but man! I’m right handed and wipe right handed. I have injured my right hand bad enough that I had to wipe lefty for a while, and even with paper it was a chore. I just can’t see wiping my ass left handed with a rock. ---
**Author:** ![recal101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d6d6ee/32.png) [@recal101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/recal101)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/30 "2003-10-30T18:28:31Z")
Okay, I can see how people would use water and the hand. It sounds like it would work. Again, let me say that I’m not knocking anyone’s customs. I haven’t ever travelled outside of north america and the statement in the article got my attention. Now, like DUKE OF RAT…I’m wondering about those rocks. ---
**Author:** ![BizarroRonJeremy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@BizarroRonJeremy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BizarroRonJeremy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/31 "2003-10-30T18:43:47Z")
Unlike in the US, here in Canada, we don’t even wipe. We use disposable underwear. It’s much more sanitary since we don’t have to put our hands close to our pooh-stained nether regions. The Dispo-Wear ™ has an extra layer of material which traps the scent and prevents leakage. At the end of the day, simply discard into the toilet. It’s also safe for septic tanks. It is possible to buy toilet paper, but you will get strange looks. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/32 "2003-10-30T20:05:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duke of Rat \* > **Pet shit rock??** I burning your shit! ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/33 "2003-10-30T20:13:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BizarroRonJeremy \* > \*\*Unlike in the US, here in Canada, we don’t even wipe. > > We use disposable underwear. It’s much more sanitary since we don’t have to put our hands close to our pooh-stained nether regions. > > The Dispo-Wear ™ has an extra layer of material which traps the scent and prevents leakage. At the end of the day, simply discard into the toilet. It’s also safe for septic tanks. > > It is possible to buy toilet paper, but you will get strange looks. \*\* Please note that **BizarroRonJeremy** does not speak for all Canadians. Here in Ontario we use pine cones. ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/34 "2003-10-30T21:18:34Z")
Oh, so many questions! Gotta know about the supply / disposal of rocks … Gotta know how water / hand scrubbers get themselves dry without TP … Gotta know how females using the method described by **jjimm** manage to avoid infections (we in the West are taught to wipe front to back to avoid these) … PLEASE someone satisfy my curiosity!!! 🙂 BTW - I’m an East Anglian … we use hedgehogs. Julie ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/35 "2003-11-02T14:07:51Z")
Seems to me that maximum cleanliness could be achieved by combining the two methods sequentially: first paper and then water. Best of both worlds. I’d be willing to bet that the combination could be found wherever Islamic/Arab culture and Western culture intersect: Lebanon, for one, and also Muslims living in America. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/36 "2003-11-02T15:12:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > **I’ve travelled extensively in Vietnam and Thailand… [T]hey have a scoop with a handle and a pouring spout, which is floating in a big bucket of water (in richer places they have a hose with a spray nozzle)… [H]ow one’s meant to dry off always mystifies me…** I always wondered the same thing. I’ve asked the question on these Boards, but I’ve never gotten an answer. In Thailand at least, I never saw a towel, cloth or paper, anywhere near one of the squat toilets. How does one avoid the dreaded “wet butt?!” ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/37 "2003-11-02T15:39:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jomo Mojo \* > \*\*Seems to me that maximum cleanliness could be achieved by combining the two methods sequentially: first paper and then water. Best of both worlds. \*\* The best method would be one that _didn’t_ involve using the bare hand to wash the area. Routine hand washing is not going to remove all of the bacteria (especially under the fingernails), and that is exactly how hepatitis A is spread. ---
**Author:** ![klockwerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/klockwerk/32/6475_2.png) [@klockwerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/klockwerk)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/38 "2003-11-02T18:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anonymous Coward \* > \*\*Please note that **BizarroRonJeremy** does not speak for all Canadians. > > Here in Ontario we use pine cones. \*\* I’m in Saskatchewan. We use wheat. ---
**Author:** ![ahmad.shoujaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5fc32e/32.png) [@ahmad.shoujaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahmad.shoujaa)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/39 "2016-08-25T19:54:35Z")
> [@recal101](#): > > I was reading an article, Exile on BlissStreet [http://counterpunch.org/long08232003.html](http://counterpunch.org/long08232003.html) > > When I came across this statement. > > “There is the usual sense of estrangement associated with language, religion, and culture. The estrangement begins in fundamental ways for the Lebanese, like many cultures outside the U.S. and Western Europe, do not use toilet paper, and the Arabic toilet replaces the usual commode.” > > I have 2 questions. > > 1. The first one, is it true that the Lebanese do not use toilet paper? > 2. If they don’t use Toilet paper, then what do they use? > > Anyone got an answer? Sure, I’m Lebanese and here, everyone uses toilet paper. Why everyone asks if the Lebanese use toilet paper?! Like everyone does Duh ������ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113/40 "2016-08-25T20:09:38Z")
> [@ahmad.shoujaa](#): > > Sure, I’m Lebanese and here, everyone uses toilet paper. Why everyone asks if the Lebanese use toilet paper?! Like everyone does Duh ������ One person asked it over 13 years ago, and the question was immediately answered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-lebanese-use-toilet-paper/210113.md?page=3)