Day 13, Switzerland, I tried the Bidet…

This one’s dedicated to Lizzy, who wanted “all of the details”.

On the first day here, after receiving the house tour, one of the first things that stood out to me was, that, in the bathroom there was a bidet.  From a distance, it looked toilet shaped.  And then, later on, during a admittedly surreptitious inspection, I saw that it was, in fact, shaped like a toilet…  with a faucet instead of a flusher, no toilet seat, and…  soap?

Over the next few days, I didn’t think much of it, except for random moments (in the bathroom).  On one of these random thought days, I decided to ask Zu if she’d tried it out yet.

“No.” Her tone was outraged.  But I understood why, when, a moment or so later, we laughed about having no idea how to go about using it.  So I did what any self-respecting millennial would: Googled it.

First of all, there’s a bidet.org.  Not sure why that surprised me, but it did (the link above is to their page on bidet use).  While reading, I learned that there were different types of faucets, that it was better to sit or crouch facing it (so the reverse of the typical toilet position), and that it was used both right after you used the toilet or just to freshen things up a bit.  Armed with that knowledge, I was going to give it the old college try.  But then, my former boss/surrogate mother suggested we just ask Zulay’s aunt (why we hadn’t thought of it…  no clue).  So we were all for it until I hesitated.  For the story’s sake, I figured (and was encouraged upon suggesting it) that I should give it a try first, before asking.  So that I could give you guys every possible aspect.  And so I did.

***

I brought in my towel (to dry off), took off my pants (they’re not designed for sitting that way) and turned on the faucet.  It wasn’t one that you could adjust, so I just used my hands to wash up.  There was a bottle next to it (that had a pump like hand soap), but, being unsure of 1.  whether or not it was actual soap and 2.  if it was meant for lady part use, I only used it afterward to wash my hands.  I also want to add that I did wipe with toilet paper first for a few reasons.  First, I didn’t know how this would go, so I wanted to make sure I was my normal level of clean.  But also, since I was moving from one spot to the other, I didn’t want any drippage (#Awkward)

The only part that felt weird about that first time was washing up, not in a shower.

Okay, so, that was me hesitantly testing things out on Sunday.  Today (in the US, yesterday here) I tried again, this time with the information from tia on how to use it.  I was right about everything except for the soap.  It was meant for booty cleansing purposes (I’d definitely be grossed out if it were bar soap, so this is probably a good call as far as bidet practices go).

This time, it did feel weird.  Perhaps it was because I’m now soaping, and still, not in the shower.  But it did feel if not cleaner (I like to think I can handle my TP), then…  fresher?

As I write this, I’m reminded of a video I saw on the Today I Found Out Youtube channel about bidets, and why Americans don’t use them.  The guy, whose name I can’t remember and will probably be too lazy to add when I find the link later, made a really good point that I’d forgotten till now: if we get poop (in particular, but also pee) on our hands, we wash them, not just wipe it off with a towel; so why should our butts (and other bits) be any different?

I encourage you all to try out a bidet if you’re given the opportunity.  You might love it, or never want to touch one again.  But its definitely an experience, regardless of how you feel.

***

Tomorrow/later we’ll be exploring Milan.  It’s our last day before heading back to London, to then go home.  I’m super excited.  And, as its after 3 AM, also rather tired.  So, until you read again.

Buona notte