# Ladies: What good is a bidet, nowadays? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 21, 2006, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024 "2006-12-21T04:29:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/21 "2006-12-21T16:01:46Z")
[QUOTE=InappropriateHumor] I second this statement. They make some nifty flushable moist wipes nowadays. [/QUOTE] I have yet to hear any plumber give a nod to anything claiming to be “flushable” except for toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/22 "2006-12-21T16:03:17Z")
**WhyNot** , that has never happened to me. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/23 "2006-12-21T17:13:40Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] I ask because of course the little boys in diapers that I babysit do, [/QUOTE] Never had that issue happen either. Perhaps is a wipe front-to-back vs. back-to-front kind of thing. Changing a diaper with a kid on his back is pretty different than an older fella sitting on the loo. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/24 "2006-12-21T17:28:29Z")
'scuse me but what’s all this talk of washing ones nads and other dangly bits in a bidet? Everybody knows a bidet is for washing your feet in, innit? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/25 "2006-12-21T17:42:56Z")
No, it’s for washing your backside. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/26 "2006-12-21T19:54:52Z")
I would love a bidet in my house. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![brewha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@brewha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brewha)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/27 "2006-12-21T20:00:44Z")
I have never used a bidet, but I do have a question for those who have. Does the water come out warm right away? I know when I turn on the faucet it comes out cold at first and I really can’t see how that would be comfortable. Or, do you adjust the temp and then sit down on the seat? It just seems a bit odd to me. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/28 "2006-12-21T22:49:28Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I mean, it seems to me like it would only really be useful in a time and place where women do not have access to the facilities for daily hot baths/showers. (And **very** useful and valued there!) Which might explain why bidets are so rare in America. Has it any other practical value? [/QUOTE] I just want to know why **BrainGlutton** only addressed this to the ladies. Hon, do you think we douche with that thing? ---
**Author:** ![percussion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@percussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/percussion)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/29 "2006-12-22T00:38:44Z")
The BIDOUCHE! ---
**Author:** ![rocksolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@rocksolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocksolid)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/30 "2006-12-22T00:52:23Z")
Well i can’t see that there is ever going to be a better time to ask this question so what the hell… Someone please talk me through the using the bidet procedure. Am i really stupid or is it as awkward as it seems? I picture shuffle over to bidet with trousers round ankles stifling movement in semi-still-sitting-down position. Squat over bidet? Or sit down on rim? Water jet asshole with no other assistance? By that i mean, do you use a cloth or toilet roll, a hand? I guess not but i can’t think i’d ever wash a body part just by jetting it with water. Anyway, then back over to toilet via same awkward semi-squat trousers round ankles stumble to dry ass with toilet paper? Ain’t it amazing the things we seem to get through life without ever knowing 🙂 Next week, someone tell me about this tying shoe laces thing… ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/31 "2006-12-22T01:10:04Z")
A friend of mine broke his arm pretty bad and was no longer able to reach behind himself to wipe his ass. I helpfully suggested that, for the time being, he simply use his other arm. The human body is nicely redundant in that way. He looked at me like I was crazy. So he got a bidet and has been happily using it ever since. Personally, I think he always secretly wanted a bidet and just broke his arm as an excuse to get it. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/32 "2006-12-22T02:15:44Z")
[Cottonelle Flushable Wet Wipes](http://www.cottonelle.com/products/folded.asp) are the best! So much more convenient than a bidet. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/33 "2006-12-22T02:29:30Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] A friend of mine broke his arm pretty bad and was no longer able to reach behind himself to wipe his ass. I helpfully suggested that, for the time being, he simply use his other arm. The human body is nicely redundant in that way. He looked at me like I was crazy. So he got a bidet and has been happily using it ever since. Personally, I think he always secretly wanted a bidet and just broke his arm as an excuse to get it. [/QUOTE] Glad to hear that he didn’t do a handyman special and use the sink sprayer in the kitchen. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/34 "2006-12-22T02:36:47Z")
I do have to ask. Does the water end up dribling on your pants and underwear, because the water gets all over? This one is serious, unlike the last. ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/35 "2006-12-22T02:37:33Z")
[QUOTE=friedo] A friend of mine broke his arm pretty bad and was no longer able to reach behind himself to wipe his ass. I helpfully suggested that, for the time being, he simply use his other arm. The human body is nicely redundant in that way. He looked at me like I was crazy. So he got a bidet and has been happily using it ever since. Personally, I think he always secretly wanted a bidet and just broke his arm as an excuse to get it. [/QUOTE] Have you tried to use your other hand? I can’t seam to get the hang of it. My dream house has a bidet ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/36 "2006-12-22T02:49:46Z")
I’m a male who has for decades brought a cup or small bottle of water into the bathroom with me, which I pour over the toilet paper. This offers benefits similar to a bidet and those Cottonelle products (although my way is a lot cheaper). In contrast, in the middle east, the water is generally available, but I have to remember to bring the toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/37 "2006-12-22T04:07:19Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] I do have to ask. Does the water end up dribling on your pants and underwear, because the water gets all over? This one is serious, unlike the last. [/QUOTE] That was the end result (NPI) of my early experiments with a bidet. Your arse gets all wet and then you need a towel. When you get up, water on your cheeks runs down your legs and messes up your clothing. Was I doing something wrong? ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/38 "2006-12-22T05:44:53Z")
Ok, checking in as a female American who likes bidets: Why take a shower everyday if really only your armpits and netherbits need it every day? And, say, it’s a hot and sweaty or otherwise “not-so-fresh” day – midday moment/ post-disco nap and you’re good as new. Ditto “afternoon delight” and don’t want to bother with a full shower. Ditto hemorrhoids. Rashy. Otherwise unpleasant. Good as new. Your arse gets all wet and you’re smart enough to have a hand towel in reach. What’s complicated about that? Also good for drying out swimsuits and keeping beer chilled in Spain midsummer if you don’t have a fridge. ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/39 "2006-12-22T05:48:38Z")
[QUOTE=Valgard] violent projectile diarrhea while doing a headstand or something. [/QUOTE] BANDNAME! /em posting unsoberlike ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024/40 "2006-12-22T05:59:22Z")
I’ve never used one but I’d try it. I hate pooping and not being able to shower afterwards. Feels icky. So yeah… why not butt-wash. Sounds like a good idea to me as long as the water is warm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ladies-what-good-is-a-bidet-nowadays/385024.md?page=3)