Ok, let's do this. If you are a bit squeamish about this kind of stuff... GROW UP! Let's have a quick adult conversation about toilet hygiene.. particularly.. The Bum Gun!..
Let's just get down to brass taxes.. if you live in, or have traveled to, any Islamic country or most of Asia, chances are you have been exposed to the Bidet Shower, AKA toilet sprayer, AKA health faucet, AKA Bum Gun.
This is a hand-held triggered water nozzle that is attached to the side of the toilet. It is used as a replacement to toilet paper as a means of cleaning yourself after toilet use. Don't worry, I'll spare you the intimate details, but suffice to say, it gets the job done.
Many westerner's I meet are perplexed about what purpose these hoses have, and confused about the lack of available toilet paper in the public restrooms of aforementioned countries. Upon being given an explanation, they are skeptical to say the least..
The thing is, spending any extended time in one of these countries, and even the staunchest resisters are won over. I have been in Thailand for a dozen years, and I'll advocate the bum gun with sincere earnestness. I'll hand them out to friends and family as xmas and birthday gifts.
A wash, in my honest opinion, is a lot more sanitary and refreshing experience than a wipe.. if you were to step in a pile of dog poo, you wouldn't simply wipe it off, you would wash with soap and water!
In fact after being reliant on the bum gun for it's sanitary purposes, trips to the restroom in the states is a dreadful experience.. using toilet paper is as pleasant as using sand paper to clean yourself.. and I never feel truly clean.. sorry.. but it's true.
Bum Guns seem like the logical evolution of toilet hygeine and I think that the US and other Western nations should get with the times..
Now if we could just assure that the public bathrooms in Asian and Islamic countries came equipped with reliable running water and mandatory soap dispensers.. that would be a great step forward.. until then, I suggest you do carry hand sanitizer with you, as a precaution. 馃槈 馃憤
