Bidets are confusing visitors in Italy. TRUE STORY.

Athletes, journalists and fans at the Winter Games are walking into their hotel rooms and are staring at a mysterious bowl next to their toilet. Some think it’s a urinal. Others think it’s a footbath. One reporter even asked if it was for washing hockey gear.

Let’s clear it up: a bidet is a bathroom fixture used to clean your… well, a certain part of your body. ( I grew up with it at my home – with my parents – we had one in the main washroom).  A BIDET –  sprays water — gently — it’s very common in Italy, France, and basically – a lot of places in Europe. But for North Americans, it’s still a bit of a mystery.

Now it’s become a full‑on cultural moment. Italians are posting tutorials. Athletes are filming confused reaction videos.  AND – I wouldn’t be surprised if someone / somewhere / in Milan / Cortina – they’re trying to chill their wine in it.

So now you know:
It’s not a urinal. It’s not a sink. It’s a bidet. And it’s having its Olympic moment.