I suppose it's the best they can do and better than nothing.

The most unhygienic toilets I experienced were those while in the Army in Malaysia. Many of the restaurants and bars had the squatter type toilets with a handle of some sort to hang onto while you did the deed. If ever there was a breeding ground for diseases those squatters were it but it was either holding onto that handle or ending up with your arse hitting the porcelain, a very definite possibility after a few pints of the local brew.

Not really, doing nothing is more than likely exactly the same as rubbing a half-dried-out wet wipe a couple of times on the handle.

What is everyone worried about anyway? I mean, do people really think you're going to catch amoebic dysentery off of a shopping trolley?

Sounds like something from An Idiot Abroad, that

Flu, for starters. Flu has killed 19 adults and one child so far this "flu season" in NC, and while the risk is obviously very low, using a seat cover and not touching the handle are pretty much a zero cost, zero time penalty precautionary steps to further reduce the risk.

Can you catch the flu off someone's arse ... ?

Of course, that all goes to shit when someone sneezes on you. I've never had the flu though, and I touch all kinds of surfaces. How have I managed that, then?

More like a 20 year old innocent abroad.

Don't laugh but I never saw a bidet until I was an adult. When I pointed out one to my wife I explained that it was European in origin and served as a feminine douche.

"So women in Europe don't take the time to shower then" was her response

Different cultures, different strokes

[QUOTE=SultanOfSwing;12175589]Can you catch the flu off someone's arse ... ?

Of course, that all goes to shit when someone sneezes on you. I've never had the flu though, and I touch all kinds of surfaces. How have I managed that, then?[/QUOTE]

Gold plate immune system lucky you.

Bidets are for cleaning your arse though, not your minge. Or was that your accidentally uninformed opinion you were relating there.

Not sure I'd go that far, I got all the usual diseases growing up - mumps, chicken pox, all that stuff and I get colds, so I doubt my immune system is anything other than bang average. Colds don't knock me out though, I just power through them, rather than wasting sick days, since I only get three of them

I've seen/used those in many restaurants around NYC. Back in the UK I thought it was just me that did this, so it's reassuring to know that I'm not a freak. Ish.

Yeah, I've seen/had to use these things when visiting Malaysia/Korea/Thailand. (Wasn't in the army, was drunk). At least they were considerate enough to give you a handle - With the Korean ones you were pretty much on your own to do your best impersonation of a surfer.

I was told they were used as douches and since I never used one myself I accepted the explanation. My first thought on seeing one for the first time was that they were foot baths.

Anyway smelly feet or smelly butts the norm as far as I'm concerned is to answer the morning call of nature first and then take a good cleansing shower afterwards. Bidets are short cuts for lazy folks IMO

After four pages of this, are we going to bottom out any time soon?

No. Bidets are for people who want to wash their asshole every single time they take a shit. I don't see how that's lazy and I wish I had one.

I'm pretty sure they are for cleaning your arse, but I've never used one so I can't be sure. Suppose you could clean off your old chap in one as well if you were really determined.

It's not that hard to wipe your arse properly though, I'll give you that. However the internet is also full of people who don't think you're supposed to polish your rusty sheriff's badge in the shower as well, so what do I know about anything?

You're not freakish. it's common sense not to touch the handle of a public restroom. I've seen people pass right by the washbowls after using the facility and grab the door handle to exit the place.

With the right amount of dexterity and the freedom of worry over using up too much of the toilet roll you can achieve exactly the same result. Anyway bidets take up too much room in a bathroom and visitors invariably ask too many silly questions about them That space is best used as a storage cabinet for a years supply of toilet paper

Think about all the things you touch that those people might have touched that you weren't witness to. Unless they are literally smearing shit all over the place, the levels of bacteria aren't going to be any higher than the levels of fecal coliform growing on your toothbrush (per Mythbusters).

The world is a dirty place, we are dirty animals. It's all good in the hood.