im - 6/11/2007 07:36:00 AM

Toilet paper is not the most important thing in our lives, but think about what it would be like without it. I'd prefer not to think about that. I mean, it's always easier to avoid thinking about things that would make our lives less convenient. But, my friend Jonathan, who has traveled extensively in Africa, tells me that they don't use toilet paper there (most places, at least). Instead, they use a small bowl of water and their left hand. As part of this cultural uniqueness, it is a huge faux pas to touch anyone with one's left hand. Not so in Japan, though. In Japan it's not really acceptable to touch others at all, unless you are familiar with them. And, regarding toilet paper, they use it. Lots of it. And they have really cool high tech toilets that wash your bum (and other parts, if ya want). Yep, they are called Washlets, at least by one company (TOTO?) that makes them. God I want one. Hey, I'm a father. Someone buy me one for Father's Day, would ya? Speaking of presents, and also on the topic of toilet paper, our Japanese distributor made up a thousand rolls of the stuff featuring Surly frames and parts. It's one of the best give-away ideas we have ever heard of. Please don't ask us for one. We only got a few rolls, and I doubt any of us will ever want to part with them. -----