06/04/2003 Archived Entry: "Clean?"

Here's something thats always bugged me.

You use a public washroom, after you're done your business you flush (presumeably) using the same flusher that everyone has used after they've done their business. If you're in a stall you open the door that everyone has opened after they've used the bathroom and before they washed their hands. But thats ok, you go wash your hands. You turn on the tap with your dirty hands, wash vigorously with soap and warm water and turn off the water by twisting the unclean taps with your clean hands. Then you go get some paper towel but might have to pull on a knob to get some. The same knob that a bunch of dirty hands have pulled on. Once your hands are dry you leave but before that you have to push the door that hundreds of other people have pushed, some of whom might have not washed their hands at all! GROSS!!

Time to go eat some fries!

Replies: 17 comments

That's why you use toilet paper to flush, open the door and get paper towel from the dispenser. Then you turn on the tap with the paper towel, wash your hands and get new paper towel. Dry your hands and use that to open the door and leave. :D Yes I put some thought into it. But I don't have to think about all the dirty surfaces I've just touched! :D

Posted by Andrea @ 06/04/2003 07:33 PM EST

I've only ever ran into one washroom where everything had a sensor (that worked well!) and the door was propped open. Such a clean place!

Posted by Rayne @ 06/04/2003 11:10 PM EST

once when i was in an office in toronto, i saw a sign on the back of the door which was the city of toronto's instructions on how to wash your hands and stuff to not get all bacteria-fied ... it was funny

but anyway, i was watching this thing on oprah ... and really, other than the actual real dirt, the only places you have to worry about bacteria on are the metal ones ... apparently plastic isn't conducive to bacteria growth ... interesting, eh?

Posted by melpie @ 06/05/2003 02:20 AM EST

BUT, aren't all faucet taps and flushers metal? and doors usualy have that metal plate for where you put your hand to push.

Posted by Rayne @ 06/05/2003 12:39 PM EST

BUT toilet seats are plastic

as are the paper towel dispenser things (as opposed to the hand dryers, unless they're sensor controlled)

Posted by melpie @ 06/05/2003 04:34 PM EST

So says the guy who washes his hands after putting away a canister of hot chocolate!

Posted by Joe @ 06/05/2003 07:12 PM EST

But, you still touch the faucet and the metal plate on the door.

(I've always kicked the door when possible)

I only did that once Joe!

Posted by Rayne @ 06/05/2003 08:37 PM EST

how do you handle washing your hands in your own house then?

Posted by melpie @ 06/06/2003 01:08 AM EST

come on, people...

let's not drown in the SARS Paranoļa. We Health Canada will protect you. ;)

Posted by et_god @ 06/06/2003 10:51 AM EST

haha, I don't see you taking any action Etienne!

but i'm not afraid of SARS, i wash my hands like 30 times a day

Posted by Rayne @ 06/06/2003 07:41 PM EST

I handle hand-washing at home the way any other sane person does of course.

Posted by Rayne @ 06/07/2003 08:16 PM EST

And that's how exactly?

Posted by Andrea @ 06/08/2003 02:25 AM EST

With soap and water...?

Posted by Rayne @ 06/08/2003 03:52 AM EST

Just checking..sounded like you had something special in mind. :)

Posted by Andrea @ 06/08/2003 01:24 PM EST

Joe was describing some Jack Nicholson movie where he's crazy about washing his hands. Uses 1 new soap bar, throws it away, gets a new one out, washes with it, throws that away.

I'm sure I'll become like that one day =)

Posted by Rayne @ 06/08/2003 06:05 PM EST

I think that Jack Nicholson movie is "As Good As It Gets"...

Posted by dAN @ 06/10/2003 07:04 PM EST

I was just in the bathroom and some guy used his elbow to dispense paper towel for himself. A bit odd...

Posted by Rayne @ 06/18/2003 11:52 AM EST