There are two types of bidets: those that you can fill with running water and those that spray a jet of water. You face the faucets when you use them. They came about before it was common to shower or bathe daily; they kept the nether regions from becoming funky. In some countries they still think we are irrational for daily bathing – it robs us of natural oils. Go figure.
In some Asian countries there is a faucet with a short hose attached in every bathroom. This is for Muslims to cleanse themselves after defecating (in a regular toilet). Remember the thing about not shaking the left hand or eating with the left hand in some countries? Well, the hose is always to the left of the toilet - they hose themselves off and use the left hand to work that water in. They then use the hose to cleanse the hands and there is regular toilet paper or paper towels to dry the hands. Many public places don’t have paper, so you’re left to your own devices (or carry little Kleenex packages wherever you go).
I’ve never seen anyone emerge from one that had wet pants - can only assume that they take them off or are so adept at the practice that they avoid turning the hose on the pants.
A bit off track, but IMHO it isn’t quite as simple as that. The U.S. is blessed with abundant water supplies, and big municipal infrastructure to move it around, too. So we do it because we can, as it were; for others, it isn’t feasible for one reason or another: supply, purity, etc…
(you want to haul 5 gallons of green water from the oasis just to wash when there’s barely enough to cook your millet ?) andconsequently, they’d have to, er, rationalize the practice of bathing less frequently, while finding other ways to maintain cleanliness.
OK, this isn’t really about the bidet, but this comment got me thinking. I share a bathroom with a Pakistani Muslim (it’s a dorm). I’ve noticed that he always washes his hands before taking a leak. I know this because I’ll be at the sink and he walks in, washes his hands, goes to the stall, kicks the door open, does his thing, and walks right out and washes his hands again. I’m wondering what the purpose of washing his hands the first time is.
And while I’m at it, he washes his feet in the sink a couple times a day. I’m guessing he does this before praying, but why?
Oh, and if I don’t get a response, I’ll be forced to start another thread. Sorry for the hijack, but I really don’t think this deserves it’s own thread.