comparisons

The first of my pros and cons from an ex-pat living in Italy:



Pro:



bidets--once you get use to having one of these in your bathroom you will never want to

give it up. Refreshing, at all times of the months as well as after daily rituals. Italians find it hard if not impossible to adapt to the no-bidet situation in the USA. After all, they have been washing their bums in it since they could walk (before that their moms or dads did it) and so feel unclean if unable to soap up and dry off after using the bathroom sitting down (now am I clear)?!

So, if you have an Italian houseguest, expect him or her to make creative use of the shower in all possible positions and stages of undress to take care of this primal need. And be sure to supply small towels (US face size) for your guest which should then be deposited in the to-be-washed bin. If this isn't clear, let me know.



Con:



the "Turca", otherwise known as bagno alla turca (and I'm still trying to find out why), which is the ubiquitous stand-up urinal that you will find in both men's and women's bathrooms throughout Italy. Not to be confused with the wall-model men's urinal also seen in other countries, this is a basic porcelain slab on the floor with slats modelled in the porcelain to prevent slipping, I guess, and a hole in the middle. Italians says these toilets are more hygenic, but given the awkwardness of them most people make a terrible mess, so I have my serious doubts.



They pose a major logistical problem for women, as they requires a certain degree of atheltic ability, mainly squatting, and very good aim and flow control to avoid spraying oneself with one's own pee. There are many techniques for using the "turca", none of them very satisfactory. Some women face forward, others backward. Some squat deeply and aim directly for the hole in the floor, while others stand and hold onto the occasionally available handles on the wall. All in all a challenge. If you have any difficulties squatting or plan to invite a woman of a certain age or elegance out to dinner, I strongly advise calling the restaurant to assure yourself that it is fited with a regular toilet. More than once I have found myself out with American guests, in nice restaurants, and highly embarrassed that no other option was available. By the way, Italian women hate them too!