Page 6 | AIBU to wonder why bidets are common in Italy but not England?

Tonyritundo · 2026-04-30T22:39:28+00:00

Why are bidets mandatory in Italy but barely any English people have them?

OnceUponATimed · 01/05/2026 08:44

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:22

Ewww thats minging, please tell me these towels are not shared?! And if not does that mean you carry these arse rags around with you?

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I just use my towel, that I use also to dry my arse after a shower!
The put it in my bedroom.
Honestly, I find the idea of people not washing themselves after going to the toilet a bit gross.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 01/05/2026 08:44

Sartre · 01/05/2026 08:22

Why just Italy? Bidets are common in lots of countries across the world- Spain, Portugal, South America, the Middle East, Japan. I think it’s really only the northern hemisphere that opt not to use them, probably because it’s cold and we don’t want a wet arse.

Spain and Portugal are in the Northern Hemisphere, as is France where the name originates and where I first came across them as a child.

blankcanvas3 · 01/05/2026 08:43

It’s something to do with water regulations, I read about it a while ago whilst we were considering having one

bittertwisted · 01/05/2026 08:42

GoodWater · 01/05/2026 06:47

It's illegal to fit these directly to your toilet in the UK (although I assume plenty of people do so anyway).

I wanted to get one, but the set up was going to be too complicated (needed to connect to a separate tank) so I gave up on the idea.

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Just about to say this. In Thailand recently and googled why we don’t have the gun things
really strict regulations around the plumbing required to make them legal

Zennia · 01/05/2026 08:41

I was pleased to find a bidet recently at Split airport.

Historically I believe it's connected to different cultural and religious beliefs about cleanliness.

TwoBagsOfCompost · 01/05/2026 08:38

Tonyritundo · 01/05/2026 08:32

Also washing your feet in there sounds kinda gross. Feels like it should just be for washing your bum.

We always had a bidet growing up (Greece), it was NEVER used as a bidet as apart from the bath we also had a walk in shower we could easily hop in for quick washes when we needed to. So it was agreed that the bidet was only to be used for soaking whites or for putting your foot on it to paint your toe nails etc 😂

Here in the UK my house currently only has a shower over bath and as I like washing myself after toilet, I constantly find myself wishing I had a bidet 😭

MikeRafone · 01/05/2026 08:38

Pugglywuggly · 01/05/2026 05:53

It would be easy to have a bum gun fitted to toilets though like is SE Asia. That doesn't take up any space.

They don’t but you need a certain toilet, I wanted a bum gun but couldn’t get one fitted unfortunately

Ginmonkeyagain · 01/05/2026 08:38

Just get one of those bum washing jugs that many muslims use - loads of shops sell them.

RampantIvy · 01/05/2026 08:37

SylvanMoon · 01/05/2026 08:35

Why? I'm not doubting that this is the case, just trying to appreciate why it would be against any regulations.

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This is from AI

Bidet hoses (douche sprays) are generally considered illegal to install in the UK when connected directly to mains water because they pose a severe backflow contamination risk. Classified as Fluid Category 5, these hoses can allow toilet water to be siphoned into the public water supply, violating the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

https://www.arrowvalves.co.uk/blog/fitting-a-douche-hose-heres-why-it-might-be-illegal?srsltid=AfmBOoqyjte3cdz9p6QuqfYI4DeaMeE7R511CCpP9t7Cp5ESDBpx7ztm

SylvanMoon · 01/05/2026 08:35

GoodWater · 01/05/2026 06:50

Just FYI this is definitely against water regs.

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Why? I'm not doubting that this is the case, just trying to appreciate why it would be against any regulations.

Original poster

Tonyritundo · 01/05/2026 08:34

hahabahbag · 01/05/2026 08:32

Had one in a house, was used as bath toy storage or foot washing. Just not a thing I’ve ever used or needed. My friend has a pipe thing on her loo but I’m not sure how it works and I’m not asking! They seem wasteful on water to me

I’m sure it saves more water than it costs to chop down trees and process, transport and sell toilet roll.

OP posts:

PhoebeBuffay1234 · 01/05/2026 08:33

I bought a portable bidet bottle (as I struggle with mobility) and it’s fab!

RampantIvy · 01/05/2026 08:32

Tonyritundo · 01/05/2026 08:31

I’ve heard about the bum guns being illegal, is that true because I have been to loads of places in the UK that have them. My local gym has one that is connected to the sink.

They aren't illegal, but installing them incorrectly is a violation of water regulations.

I wonder if they would get covered by a hosepipe ban 😁

hahabahbag · 01/05/2026 08:32

Had one in a house, was used as bath toy storage or foot washing. Just not a thing I’ve ever used or needed. My friend has a pipe thing on her loo but I’m not sure how it works and I’m not asking! They seem wasteful on water to me

Original poster

Tonyritundo · 01/05/2026 08:32

Also washing your feet in there sounds kinda gross. Feels like it should just be for washing your bum.

OP posts:

TwoBagsOfCompost · 01/05/2026 08:31

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:22

Ewww thats minging, please tell me these towels are not shared?! And if not does that mean you carry these arse rags around with you?

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I’m thinking there may be some confusion here as to what a bidet actually is! Nothing minging about it! You use hot water and shower gel or soap and you clean yourself!

I have a feeling people think that how you use a bidet is you just sit down on it with your unwiped shitty arse and you just squirt some water on your bum and then just get up and walk away?!?!?!

😂😂😂

Original poster

Tonyritundo · 01/05/2026 08:31

I’ve heard about the bum guns being illegal, is that true because I have been to loads of places in the UK that have them. My local gym has one that is connected to the sink.

OP posts:

Nearly50omg · 01/05/2026 08:28

I used to love washing my feet in them
in the summer 😂 also comes in handy washing your smalls when on holiday too!

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:27

horlickstablets · 01/05/2026 08:24

If you’re at home I mean. If you’re out and about then yes just toilet roll

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So would you use a bidet after a wee? Or just a poo?

TwoBagsOfCompost · 01/05/2026 08:25

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:19

Im confused by bidets, don’t you end up coming out the bathroom with a wet arse? I assume you dry yoursen with bogroll but surely you’d still feel wet?

If I had a bidet I’d probably just use my shower towel to dry myself. It’s just a mini shower for your bum, you’re still using hot water and soap, so surely no reason to dry off with loo roll?!

horlickstablets · 01/05/2026 08:24

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:22

Ewww thats minging, please tell me these towels are not shared?! And if not does that mean you carry these arse rags around with you?

Show quote history

If you’re at home I mean. If you’re out and about then yes just toilet roll

RampantIvy · 01/05/2026 08:23

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 01/05/2026 08:20

I have a garden, a hose and a spot where my neighbours can't see. I don't need a bidet.

I have a shower with a telephone head that I can use to direct the spray.

ThisOneLife · 01/05/2026 08:22

PollyBell · 01/05/2026 00:44

I wouldnt want to have to clean either a seperate ''toilet'' or the adapations needed

A bidet is not a toilet!
Cleaning one is no different from cleaning a basin.

Sartre · 01/05/2026 08:22

Why just Italy? Bidets are common in lots of countries across the world- Spain, Portugal, South America, the Middle East, Japan. I think it’s really only the northern hemisphere that opt not to use them, probably because it’s cold and we don’t want a wet arse.

Greyblankie · 01/05/2026 08:22

horlickstablets · 01/05/2026 08:21

Just use a small towel or flannel

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Ewww thats minging, please tell me these towels are not shared?! And if not does that mean you carry these arse rags around with you?