The object that I chose for the object story is a bottled water.
Before I came to the UK, I didn’t thinking much of any cultural differences that I’d probably face. When I first arrived in London, I realized that there are no douche spray in the toilet. In the past, I’ve been visiting some other countries that also don’t have douche spray in their washroom. And since I usually went for a short time, I’ve never felt like it’s something bothersome. Yet this time, I’m going to live with it.
Douche spray is common in Indonesia. It’s a standard for a toilet as they have this in every loo you’ll get into. At some remote places, they have a bucket filled with water and water dipper. So it came as no surprise for me, who have lived 24 years with water-equipped restroom, to have major cultural shock. That’s why, to cope with the situation, I usually bring a small (500ml) bottled water with me or wet the toilet paper beforehand.
I was asked if having douche spray is just something I’ve been living with and accepted my whole life? I had an assumption before: since it’s usually something common for a country with many Moslems, it’s probably derived by religious factor (I saw douche spray in Istanbul, Turkey and some classmates from India said they have it in their country). I searched for some information and turned out that using water to clean yourself is one of the Islamic Toilet Etiquette and as a Moslem majority country, Indonesia has been using it since forever. Water used daily to clean our body, notably the Wudhu ritual before offering prayers. This means if we go to the lavatory and not clean our self with water, we’re not allow to pray. There are several rules to this etiquette, including going into the bathroom with the left feet and leaving it with the right feet, remain silent, and not to eat anything inside. One should wash one’s hands before leaving as well. I know that these regulations exist, yet I forget the fact that it’s Islamic etiquettes.
P.S. While researching about the etiquettes, I found something interesting that would probably change my life for the better:
Yes! A portable douche spray! It’s a thing! I don’t know if it’ll make me more comfortable or not but I’m ordering one for myself. Fingers crossed!