Kiran Jonnalagadda ([info]jace) wrote,
@ 2005-12-20 13:51:00
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Entry tags:southeast asia, travel

What is it with tissue paper in toilets?
What is it with toilets in tropical countries using tissue paper instead of water? Tissue paper is disgusting. It scrapes bottom and doesn’t clean thoroughly. It makes sense in a cold country where water at room temperature will freeze your arse and warm water may be unavailable or uneconomical.

But in a tropical country? It seems the swankier the place I’m in, the more likely the place abhors water in favour of tissue. A case of culture creep? Why not design toilets to handle both?

My bottom’s hurting from the abuse.


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[info]zeeshanmn
2005-12-20 06:15 am UTC (link)
:-) how very true!

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[info]ga_woo
2005-12-20 06:21 am UTC (link)
Why not design toilets to handle both?

Perfect. Like all toilets are meant to be.
I use both paper and water, one helps remove the coarse-grained particles and another works on the fine-grained material.
Best tool for the job and all that.

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[info]tsk1979
2005-12-20 10:01 am UTC (link)
ROFLMAO
Dear ga_poo
why dont you do a phd thesis on the subject since you are an expert

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[info]ga_woo
2005-12-20 10:07 am UTC (link)
Weird. The last time I described how I use paper and water to clean my ass the response was "Unbelievable. And who did you say your PhD guide was?"

Proof from Google Cache

What's with toilet-habits that make people think of PhDs? :D

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[info]tsk1979
2005-12-20 10:14 am UTC (link)
this is a case of "deja poo"

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[info]deelight
2005-12-20 06:37 am UTC (link)
I totally agree. I can't understand it either.

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[info]noelladsa
2005-12-20 06:42 am UTC (link)
One benefit is the bathrooms don't get messed up with water all over the place,like you see at the indian airports.However it seems like a well tackled problem in the malls around here.The water and the tissue is available and there is a maid on hand in case toilets are messed up.

One thing I can't stand about the toilets outside is there is no privacy because of the cubicle system.So even if you have to pee..it takes sometime for the body to be able to 'go'...forget crapping.

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[info]jace
2005-12-20 06:53 am UTC (link)
I haven't encountered a cubicle toilet yet. Also, the ones with water use a hose, which reduces spillage greatly. Buckets and mugs are the problem.

In Bangkok, the cleaning ladies wander in and out of men's toilets even as men stand there peeing.

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[info]vaibhav
2005-12-20 03:22 pm UTC (link)
Worse, toilets at work are cubicle style *and* the black floor tiles is so clean and reflective that you can see your face in it. You can imagine the rest.

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Ditto!
(Anonymous)
2005-12-21 10:58 am UTC (link)
Ditto at our work place :-(

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Couldn't agree more!
[info]ashwinne
2005-12-20 07:30 am UTC (link)
With the hose getting popular, there is no reason not to put them in all places! There is no way tissue paper can clean like with a liquid.

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[info]midendian
2005-12-20 08:10 am UTC (link)
I agree. I very much enjoyed the hose toilets when I was in Dubai.

Unfortunately Americans have never heard of such things and some I've mentioned it to seemed sort of horrified at the idea.

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[info]eddd
2005-12-20 09:15 am UTC (link)
Bidets are best!

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[info]sidcarter
2005-12-20 10:04 am UTC (link)
I find the whole "Tissue in Toilet" thing disgusting.

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[info]themadman
2005-12-20 11:23 am UTC (link)
You'll get used to it. I did.

The problem is with toilet paper that's rough. Now THAT is a pain in the ass, no pun intended. ;)

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[info]smallsquirrel
2005-12-20 12:36 pm UTC (link)
OK just a couple things to clear this up. No pun intended.

1. Americans HAVE heard of using water, and many of us have bidets...
2. In the US, the toilet paper is *very* soft and works much better than the scratchy stuff you find all over asia.
3. Most Americans use the double approach of tissue and something much like a baby wipe, which is just as cleansing... and more hygenic.

It's all what you are used to.

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[info]midendian
2005-12-20 07:29 pm UTC (link)
I've never met any American who has a bidet, and very few who use wet wipes past the age of toilet training (I grew up in AZ/CA). In fact I've still encountered a scary amount of single-ply toilet tissue. So we must be from different Americas.

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[info]smallsquirrel
2005-12-20 07:36 pm UTC (link)
I do not know what to tell you. Maybe people on the East coast have better hygeine.I know a fair amount of people with bidets and I know hardly any people who do not use "cottonelle" or "kleenex" wipes.

I think the issue for me here is that you make it sound like a moral judgement, rather than a difference in ways to clean one's ass.

If it gets clean in the end, I am not sure it matters much how that happens... hose, mug/bucket, tissue.....

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[info]plasmid
2006-01-23 01:22 am UTC (link)
I disagree... ONLY PAPER CAN NEVER CLEAR THE PASSAGE:)...i lived in both parts of the world but nothing matches water...America has water problem, thats different...

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[info]thaths
2005-12-20 04:35 pm UTC (link)
The Japanese toilets are the best I have ever had the pleasure to sit on. The seat is warmed and discreet nozzles pipe tepid water at strategic angles to take care of one's business. Some of the fancier ones include puffs of warm air to dry the nether regions and whiffs of air freshner. some even go as far as playing soothing music to mask the embarassing noises of bodily functions.

I really don't understand why there are not more of these around the world. I think when I buy a house I will install these fancy toilet seats.

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butt wiping
[info]toobeaut
2005-12-20 07:00 pm UTC (link)
Try using a product called Preparation H Wipes. They clean, uh, thoroughly. Whether or not they will clog your toilet is another issue.

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[info]eppendorfs
2005-12-20 08:10 pm UTC (link)
When your face or hands get dirty, what is the likelyhood you will wipe them with a dry paper, than wash them with water? and if its economical to have warm water for washing hands, why is it not to have it for washing ur bowels :)

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(Anonymous)
2006-02-01 03:08 pm UTC (link)
Has anybody here ever spilled peanut butter on their carpet/floor? You cant fully clean it up with paper. It's the same with our Ass

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ok.....so how does it work?
(Anonymous)
2007-12-13 10:35 am UTC (link)
Hi, very interesting topic. I'm a westerner (australia) and have never, ever experienced the hose toilet (a true blue tissue citizen).

Can someone please explain in detail how one is to clean the "region" after a crap? I have recently moved to Abu Dhabi and my unit's 3 bathrooms are all fitted with both a bidet and the fancy hose.

My greatest concern is once you've hosed yourself off, what do you do with the "residual" water in the area? Do you use toilet paper? AHA!!!

I'd really appreciate a step by step description as I'd love make full use of the facilities in my unit.

Cheers

ray

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: ok.....so how does it work?
[info]jace
2007-12-13 10:40 am UTC (link)
No toilet paper. Nothing. Just get back into clothes. It's too little water to be of any concern. Or use a cloth hand towel if you're concerned.

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