Public restroom gripe department |
I want to know why people refuse to wash their hands when in public restrooms. Seriously.
See this all the time too and it’s disturbing. I think we should come up with some solutions to shame these germ spreaders. How about a couple of germ sensors that sit by the restroom door so when they exit it scans their hands to see that they’ve washed? If they haven’t washed then it sets off an alarm so everybody on the outside and inside looks at them and points and jeers. Of course this won’t happen any time soon, but we can always dream. Relax, I’m not serious.
But while we are on this one, and I’m glad darkmoon brought this up, let me mention other gripes for those of us who actually want to wash our hands after using the restroom.
Kill the automatic water and towel dispensers already
How many different ways do you wave your hand in front of these things to make them turn on? Most of these machines are crap and do. Not. Work.
Some of them you cup your hand just below the faucet, while others you have to go Jackie Chan on the sensor eye. We’re trying to wash our hands, not get a high score on an Eye Toy powered PS2 game!
And how about when you finally get the thing to spit out paper — and the paper is empty and a red light starts flashing. Doh. Public restroom owners: go back to the air dryers or even better, a traditional towel roll. Yeah, maybe these don’t save a few pennies a roll on wasted paper, but they don’t create bathroom rage either. Lines of people fidgeting with dripping wet hands or hands with soap that they can’t rinse.
Oddly enough casinos are some of the worst at using these technological advances. They are also some of the worst germ spreading environments with machines everywhere that have been victimized by people after picking their noses, smoking and scratching their private areas. These should be the last places on earth using motion activated towel and water dispensers.
Did this post make you go hmm?
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Hey there, I was wondering if you’ve seen this: http://www.kbcafe.com/iBLOGthere4iM/?guid=20060825075805
Thought it was rather rude..
Comment by Kiltak — August 26, 2006 @ 1:36 pm PST
Kiltak - nope, hadn’t seen that. I usually only read his blog when other folks point to it because it’s so riddled with ads, something I’ve told him here before and he didn’t like. Interesting post to link to on a post of spreading germs in the bathroom, lol!
Comment by TDavid — August 26, 2006 @ 2:17 pm PST
ROFL, yeah, strangely appropriate
Comment by Kiltak — August 26, 2006 @ 2:39 pm PST
I have a different take on this issue. Some of my friends may think I’m a fanatical germophobe, but I still say it doesn’t do much good to wash your hands, if you then proceed to grab the door handle or knob (if there is one) on your way out, since it’s probably been touched by dozens or even hundreds of people who didn’t wash their hands.
If it’s not an outward-opening door I can push with my shoulder or elbow, I use a paper towel to grab the handle or knob. I use a paper towel to turn on the water, as well. This is why I don’t like air dryers–we need those paper towels. If there are no towels, I grab a wad of toilet paper before I wash. I always avoid touching anything in a public restroom with my fingers, including the faucet handles (I use the back of my palms).
Women (or men) who carry a handbag have an advantage, because they can carry plenty of germicidal hand wipes in them. At least we don’t have to squat above a porcelain bowl in the floor (with feet indentations strategically located, no less), as people do in some countries. And thank God we don’t have German-style commodes, which have a shelf to catch your deposits for your inspection. There must be something strange in the German psyche (I’m part German) that impels them to do this.
Comment by Vince Williams — August 26, 2006 @ 2:58 pm PST
well, you know what? i’m tired of people looking at me like i’m the nasty bastard when i don’t touch anything in a public restroom. i’ve seen quite a few things over my years- from people brushing their teeth, shaving, spitting, bleeding, sneezing, coughing- even pissing at those sinks in public restrooms.
to be quite honest with you, i keep myself clean, and i know that my penis is cleaner than anything in that room.
take that as you will, but if it freaks you out that when i shake your hand the last thing i might have touched was my member, i’ll have you know i’m doing you a favor. and don’t be offended when i wash my hands after touching yours, you public restroom stuff toucher’s!
ps. i love the automatic stuff. soap, water, towels– it’s the only way i get to wash my hands in the restroom.
Comment by mikull — August 27, 2006 @ 1:14 am PST
Dude, you’re pretty right on with this post. Let me add another variation. For some reason movie theatres that use these automatic sinks insist on having the water practically scalding hot. I was so pissed about it I was going to go back with a thermometer one day. Too bad I never did. What’s up with that? I can’t change the temperature, really want to wash my hands but would rather not scald myself, thanks.
I’m one of those “wash every time, don’t touch the handle” guys, though I’m not obsessed like Monk or anything. I’m always surprised that less than half the guys in the bathroom with me wash their hands. Economic/job status seems to have no impact either. 20th floor of a brand new high price law office and guys drop a load and walk out to contaminate everything they touch. That’s not tough, that’s gross man.
Comment by Bill H — August 28, 2006 @ 12:55 pm PST
Dang, thought of one more while we’re at it. What’s up with sinks where the spigots are so far back you have to rub the back of the sink bowl when you wash? Here’s this 18 inch diameter sink and he freaking water is pouring out an inch from the edge. What’s the point? Same with water fountains, which I rarely use. My kid tells me some of the kids at school french kiss the water fountain to get a drink. Ick.
Comment by Bill H — August 28, 2006 @ 12:57 pm PST
Automatic flushers and blow dryers are my beef. I have a son with hyper-sensitive hearing, and those both freak him out completely.
Comment by Sterling Camden — August 29, 2006 @ 5:52 pm PST
I wish they had automatic doors for the toilets also. I can’t stand touching door knobs in toilets because I know that a large percentage of people don’t wash their hands after using the toilet. If everything is going to be automatic, why not make the doors also.
Comment by Jude — August 29, 2006 @ 10:54 pm PST