Bidets, Marvelous
A couple of
weeks ago I played cards – Euchre – with some colleagues: Talie and Zara from
England, Nurcan originally from Australia, but living in Istanbul many years, and
their friend, Meghan who is from Ohio. Being practically neighbors in America,
I immediately felt a kinship with Meghan.
After returning from the restroom I looked at
my fellow American and asked a question I’d been holding in since I got to
Istanbul: Why doesn’t America have bidets in all their toilets? They are
fabulous. Meghan laughed, as did the rest of the table, and nodded
enthusiastically, wholeheartedly agreeing.
Finally, I was comfortable having a conversation about bidets. A topic I wanted to have since arriving in
Turkey.
I do not
know when and where bidets came about, but I’d like to have a conversation with
the American plumber who decided not to
put them in every American home when indoor commodes were first installed! I have yet to be in a restroom anywhere in
Turkey (with the exception of a squat toilet in the Metro – I’ll get to that) where
I couldn’t put my arm down to knob on the wall just below the commode tank,
turn it, and get a cleansing stream of water. It is so sensible. Less toilet paper is used, which means fewer
clogs. I feel, well, cleaner after a
restroom visit.
Wake up
America! Bidets shouldn’t be a “luxury”
found in high priced hotels. They should
be as common as the toilet lid. I have
been in tiny restrooms, in tiny restaurants in Istanbul, and there is always a
fresh squirt of cleansing water available.
How civilized.
Before
coming to Turkey I heard flushing toilet paper was not allowed. That is not true of any place I’ve been. Toilet paper is flushed, just less of
it because - you know - bidets. Nurcan told me in some old homes
where the plumbing is ancient, it may not be safe to flush the paper and there
are always waste receptacles, but it’s rare.
I read about
squat toilets before coming to Turkey. So
far I only faced two. Surprisingly, the
first was at the airport when I had just arrived in Istanbul. After a long
flight, I hurried into the first restroom.
It was crowded and I took the first available stall. To my amazement, in this huge modern airport,
it was a squat toilet like I’d read about on line. I had no choice but assume the position and
relieve myself. All went well. That wasn’t so bad! The next encounter was in the Metro weeks
later. I was desperate and ducked into the
area where a sign pointed to the “Tuvalet.” I was met with a turnstile
requiring 1 lire to enter. Okay. Then I was met with a squat toilet. Okay.
I managed again. I should
mention there is water available to “flush,” and toilet paper to clean, so no
worries.
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