France, Portugal, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain: Instead of toilet paper, people from these countries (most of them from Europe) usually have a bidet in their washrooms. A bidet like a toilet, but also includes a spout that streams water like a water fountain to rinse you clean.

Contrary to popular myths, the French do use toilet paper, but they famously supplement it with the Bidet. Invented in France in the 1600s, the bidet is a separate basin (or in modern 2026 bathrooms, a built-in toilet nozzle) used to wash one's intimate areas with water after using paper. While the "standalone" ceramic bidet has actually become less common in cramped Parisian apartments over the last decade, it is still a standard feature in most French houses and luxury hotels. In 2026, there has been a resurgence in "Electronic Bidet Seats" (similar to Japanese Toto toilets) as a more hygienic and eco-friendly alternative to using large amounts of paper. In many French households, the bidet is also used for quick tasks like washing feet. While you will always find a roll of paper in a French bathroom, the cultural emphasis is on water-based cleansing as the final step for superior hygiene. If a bidet isn't present, some modern renovations include a "douchette" (handheld spray) next to the toilet.