Bidets
The Bidet
Bidets have been around in France and the other Mediterranean countries since around 1710 when French Cabinet Makers were selling a simple version.
This was not much more than a bowl in a lovely cabinet.
In French a Bidet is a word for a Pony and the term probably came into use as the proper way to sit on a bidet is astride it.
There are many jokes about bidets but the truth is that it is a device for cleaning your private parts and rear end.
They were originally designed to be used in the privacy of your bedroom .
(Presumably after sex)
In France and the Rest of Europe personal cleanliness was a bit simplistic and they were without indoor plumbing until Victorian times.
In modern times one does in fact sit astride a bidet and face the taps.
You then use soap and warm water to clean yourself.
You then use soap and warm water to clean yourself.
Families with small children often use them as baby baths (after disinfecting the bidet first of course)
Bidets usually have a single spout with hot and cold taps and a china basin below.
You can either use running water or use a plug and splash around to your hearts content.
Japanese inventors produced a paperless toilet which was a kind of combination toilet and bidet.
This electronically controlled wonder also has jets of hot air to dry you.
Bidets like this have spread and often have two nozzles.
(The second one for ladies use)
They also sometime have heated areas to help you dry yourself.
In Tropical countries a bidet nozzle is often attachend to a toilet for a similar use
This is because in hot climates it is considered unhygenic to use dry toilet paper so a nozzle is more acceptable
.
These are growing commonplace in use among the elderly and in hospitals.
These are growing commonplace in use among the elderly and in hospitals.
