dude Im never without my lota+Charmin!

That is exactly what I do, Ladylawyer.

I wipe, then I lota, then I wipe. Alhamdulilah. NOONE will convince me anything else is the proper method of cleaning oneself.

Warning: The following content is explicit. I don't understand why this type of behavior (not drying oneself off after using a lota) doesn't lead to various "feminine infections".....sorry to gross everyone out! Also, if you're about to, well, touch yourself down there with your hand (which is the part of using the lota which often makes me cringe ) wouldn't you want to make sure your hand is germ-free first? I do not, under any circumstances, touch myself down there without first washing my hand, especially in a public place. Anyone else practice this very hygienic habit also, which adds to the annoyances of using the lota???

Paradise - this doesnt just happen in India or Pakistan...it happens all over the Asian continent. Go to any Middle Eastern country, and you'll see the same bathroom routine. Apparently, toilet paper is hard to come by in that part of the world (guess it has something to do with the lack of trees hehe). Also, it's supposedly hot enough there to instantly dry after washing. And, not everyone there wears chudis regularly and at all times like we do, so they don't have to deal with soggy chudis since their shalwaar probably doesnt get in as much contact with their wet behind. Aside from the explanation as to why people in the mid-east/asia don't use toilet paper...what yumo doesn't understand is why people HERE in the US continue this custom when toilet paper is a plenty?!?!?!?! I even know a few ABCD's who don't use toilet paper -- and it aint hot here! Plus, here we wear chudis 24/7 -- so you KNOW those who dont use TP in the US are walking around with wet, clingy chuds! ewewewewe

I was born and raised in America....recently I visited India for the first time after 12 years. That was where I observed that people never had toilet paper in their homes. They all had lotas but no toilet paper to dry themselves off after getting themselves all wet. Ugh!!!

couldn't agree with everyone more..u need the combo of water and toilet paper..i know i dont want a wet nasty chudee..so ppl stay clean...charmin n water are the way to go..lol

Paradise -- I couldn't agree MORE! OMG, I've been perplexed about the 'not drying after washing' concept for EVER! In fact, I recently decided to not only advocate the lota, but toilet paper with lota too!!! You even used the same arguments for toilet paper use as I have! :-) Take a look at the entry in this village titled, "A Poll". You'll see my rants, disgust and arguments regarding the lack of toilet paper use. I am so happy to see that someone else out there shares my feelings and erks regarding this issue! ;-)

I agree..But it is definitely cleaner than tp alone-i think water+tp is best. Also, people often use leaves in the villages and i heard, even stones :O But think abt it like this...would you rather wash your dishes with water only or just wipe them? ;) I know, gross...but using water is actually more sanitary and enviro friendly.

didn't we already talk about this topic? i believe there was a poll about who uses TP in combo with lota, etc.

lolol..u gotta pat it dry or you'll have a wet chudee..and wet cloth starts smelling moldy..nuthin grosser then a moldy pataata..lol