Paper or Water? What Does Your Country Use?

Did you know the world is divided by what people use after going to the toilet? On one side, countries like the United States, Canada, and much of Europe mainly use toilet paper. But on the other side, places like Japan, Indonesia, India, and much of the Middle East prefer water. So how did the world split into two completely different habits? Well, for most of human history, people didn't have toilet paper, so they used whatever was nearby: leaves, hay, corn cobs, and even cloth. Then, in the late 1800s, toilet paper became cheap, indoor plumbing spread, and companies started selling it as the clean, modern way to stay hygienic. So across much of the West, it quickly became normal. But in much of Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, water had already been the tradition for centuries. It worked well in warmer climates, and in many cultures and religions, washing with water became closely tied to cleanliness.