Bidets Are Confusing Visitors at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Bidets are, once again, having a moment. As international athletes and journalists descend on northern Italy for the 2026 Winter Olympics, certain participants have wondered about the additional piece of equipment in their bathrooms. Europeans, quite familiar with the oval basins, have found themselves similarly perplexed by their confusion. Cultural exchange often has its hiccups.

Last week, US broadcaster Alicia Lewis posted a TikTok asking if the Italian bidet in her room was, in fact, a bidet. An Associated Press report noted that “the fixture is de rigueur in Italian residences but often perplexes visitors—including some athletes whose room videos have done double-takes.” Most of the confusion on social media has dissipated, but interest in bidets has been on the rise.

When New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, moved into Gracie Mansion last month, he spoke of having an “aspirational hope” of installing bidets there. WIRED has also been recommending them for some time.

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