On the necessity of hand-washing after going to the loo.

Ficheall

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that those who don't wash their hands after going to the loo are the scum of the earth.
The question I bring to the good people of AH today, is whether or not it is ferociously unacceptable to attempt to embarrass them about it should the opportunity arise within an appropriate time-frame, or must they be given the benefit of some doubt?

Today, a gentleman exited the bathroom in front of me without having washed his hands. Had he made to shake the hand of, for example, an acquaintance in the hall outside, would it have been appropriate for me to advise said acquaintance, "I wouldn't do that - he didn't wash his hands."?

As he wasn't shaking anyone's hand though, he just continued merrily on his way along the corridor to find some innocent victim elsewhere, should I have called after him "Don't they teach you to wash your hands here??" Or something wittier, if you can suggest it?

Or do some AHers feel that hand-washing is sometimes unnecessary - for example, post-micturation?

Please advise.




Obligatory topical joke:
An Irishman and an Englishman are taking a piss... The Englishman goes to leave without washing up... The Irishman says, "In Ireland... they teach us to wash our hands..."
The Englishman turns and punches him in the face.

Donkey Oaty

Ficheall wrote: »

Obligatory topical joke:
An Irishman and an Englishman are taking a piss... The Englishman goes to leave without washing up... The Irishman says, "In Ireland... they teach us to wash our hands..."
The Englishman turns and punches him in the face.

And then what happened?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

if you're going to wash your hands after taking a piss you need hot water, soap and vigorous scrubbing. just wetting your hands in the sink and giving it a quick 1-2 like 99% of the "i wash my hands you filthy bastard" brigade do is no better than just walking straight out, especially if you've reached the age where you can manage not to piss on your hands.


after a ****e is a different matter altogether, if anyone doesn't wash their hands after a ****e they deserve to be stabbed in the neck

Sir Arthur Daley

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

And then what happened?

He washed his hands?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

WikiHow wrote: »

He washed his hands?

well obviously you'd wash your hands after touching an irishman

hoodwinked

ha, i'd love to know how many of the people who give out about other people not washing their hands after going to the toilet wash their hands after touching a door handle, a keyboard, money??? etc....


i wash my hands after going to the toilet, i wash my hands at regular intervals during the day after or before different activities but to be honest if i wasted my time worrying about 'germs' i'd get nothing done...

Sarky

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

if you're going to wash your hands after taking a piss you need hot water, soap and vigorous scrubbing. just wetting your hands in the sink and giving it a quick 1-2 like 99% of the "i wash my hands you filthy bastard" brigade do is no better than just walking straight out, especially if you've reached the age where you can manage not to piss on your hands.

It's probably worse, as unwashed wet hands can spread bacteria way faster than unwashed dry hands; the aerosols created will get f*cking everywhere.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Sarky wrote: »

It's probably worse, as unwashed wet hands can spread bacteria way faster than unwashed dry hands; the aerosols created will get f*cking everywhere.

i had that typed, but i wasn't sure if some "well actually the science says" bastard would jump in and correct me so I edited it out

Ficheall

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

And then what happened?

Sorry - I thought it was a well-known joke, adapted slightly from one told by Samuel L. Jackson's character in the 1998 classic "The Negotiator". Therein, the protagonists are a sailor and a Marine, and while the sailor does say "In the Navy, they teach to wash up", the Marine, instead of punching the sailor in the face, instead responds wittily with "In the Marines, they teach us not to piss on our hands."
Apologies for the confusion.

rubadub

Ficheall wrote: »

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that those who don't wash their hands after going to the loo are the scum of the earth.

Loads would disagree. The undeniable truth if anything is that the complainers are usually hypocrites, and most of them agree that they are.

Ficheall wrote: »

Today, a gentleman exited the bathroom in front of me without having washed his hands. Had he made to shake the hand of, for example, an acquaintance in the hall outside, would it have been appropriate for me to advise said acquaintance, "I wouldn't do that - he didn't wash his hands."

If he did wash his hands and open the door after then you would logically should warn them that he touched a door handle. If you saw people touching other contaminated things like money would you also feel obliged to warn people?

SEPT 23 1989

Human beings need to be exposed to filthy germs

that's why todays indoor kids are always sick

Ficheall

rubadub wrote: »

If he did wash his hands and open the door after then you would logically should warn them that he touched a door handle. If you saw people touching other contaminated things like money would you also feel obliged to warn people?

You misunderstand - the purpose of the exercise was not to save the hypothetical acquaintance from contamination, but rather to embarrass the person who did not wash their hands, in the hopes that they would cop themselves on in future.

rubadub

Ficheall wrote: »

You misunderstand - the purpose of the exercise was not to save the hypothetical acquaintance from contamination, but rather to embarrass the person who did not wash their hands, in the hopes that they would cop themselves on in future.

You misunderstand me, if you see them touching money why not do the same? and embarrass them so hopefully they do "cop on" and wash their hands after touching money in future?

Ficheall

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

if you're going to wash your hands after taking a piss you need hot water, soap and vigorous scrubbing.

There were ample facilities for this at the toilets in question. Three empty sinks, taps with adjustable temperature and flow which one could control with one's wrist instead of needing to use one's hand, three full anti-bacterial-foam-dispensers, and an efficient hand-drier.

pauliebdub

youre hands are likely to be even dirtier than before, after you wash them and touch the door handle when leaving the jacks.

Ficheall

rubadub wrote: »

You misunderstand me, if you see them touching money why not do the same? and embarrass them so hopefully they do "cop on" and wash their hands after touching money in future?

I am but one man.

rubadub

One irrational & hypocritical man...

Ficheall

pauliebdub wrote: »

youre hands are likely to be even dirtier than before, after you wash them and touch the door handle when leaving the jacks.

There are many ways to open a door without using your hands - elbows, shoulders, sleeves, feet, pet raptors...

Ficheall

rubadub wrote: »

One irrational & hypocritical man...

I can see the tenuous argument for irrationality - where does the hypocritical come into it?

oldyouth

Firstly, I love my mickey and will often wash my hands BEFORE I take a piss. I'm not holding my dear friend with dirty hands.

As for after a piss, I wash my hands well. If the hand dryer is not automatic, I'll have taken some toilet roll for me to dry my hands on. I'll NEVER directly touch the handle on the door. I'll either take advantage of someone else opening the door or use my sleeve to open it myself.

I am pie

Yeah, wash your hands then dry them under the hand dryer, where all those semi washed hands have deposited bacteria during the day, bacteria who love warm moist conditions (hand dryers basically!) , then turn that hand dryer on and blow that lovely well fed, nicely warmed bacteria all round your hands and person.

Newsflash, if you use the hand dryer you've probably left with more bacteria than the harmless pish bacteria you had in the first place.

Wash them dry 'em with paper towels.

lukesmom

I don't always wash my hands after using the toilet for a wee. But obviously when I give birth to a brown baby boy I always wash my hands.

howamidifferent

lukesmom wrote: »

I don't always wash my hands after using the toilet for a wee. But obviously when I give birth to a brown baby boy I always wash my hands.

Yucky :eek:

biko

I don't wash my hands now because according to this thread it's better not to, or no use.
Wow, learn every day.

kylith

We need something like this

lukesmom

howamidifferent wrote: »

Yucky :eek:

No on the contrary it's a beautiful thing

JerCotter7

I'd never use the hand dryers. At least if I didn't wash my hands I can just not touch my face until I get a chance too. The dryers just blow bacteria everywhere.

Ficheall

I am pie wrote: »

Newsflash, if you use the hand dryer you've probably left with more bacteria than the harmless pish bacteria you had in the first place.

I do prefer paper towels where available, but could you provide a link for the above assertion? Preferably not one from the Daily Mail or a study funded by the Tissue-making companies.

Gambas

Most times I wash my hands after a piss, but it is always a half hearted bit of a splash, and the odd time I don't bother. I'm unconvinced by the wash hands after piss. I don't hold onto the bowl, I don't piss on my hands and my member is judged to be clean enough for human consumption. So why is it necessary? Steam from piss? Germs on flush handle? Why?

Fratton Fred

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

well obviously you'd wash your hands after touching an irishman

Depends where you touch him I guess.

Rekop dog

The last thing people usually do after washing hands is turn off the tap, the same tap they used to turn it on. I think I'd rather shake the hand of someone who can piss competently at a urinal and not wash than someone who's touched the tap that hundreds have during the day.

The_B_Man

Having worked for a big pharma company, I got training in proper handwashing techniques. Very informative. Did u know that poo is 92% water? And it can be dried into a powder? Best training course ever!!

Also, I was goin for a quick slash on me way out of a pub in killarney. At the urinal, and i hear someone finishing up a deuce in the cubicle. Chap comes out, doesnt wash his hands. Walking out the door, I look back, and didnt I see your man behind the bar! It was the barman!! Nasty balls!

I am pie

Ficheall wrote: »

I do prefer paper towels where available, but could you provide a link for the above assertion? Preferably not one from the Daily Mail or a study funded by the Tissue-making companies.

I don't read the daily mail or the Tissue Times, nor do I intend to show you how Google works.

You make whatever choices you're comfortable with, I am not interested in backing up every statement i make on AH with scientific research. It really ought to be common sense. Warm air + water droplets previously in contact with a large amount of hands washed half heartedly in a dab of soap and a splash of water. It only takes a few out of every hundred to make a paltry effort at drying then use the blow dryer, I hardly think you need peer reviewed publications to understand what happens.

Sorry Mr Dyson, it's simple biology.

Tony EH

lukesmom wrote: »

I don't always wash my hands after using the toilet for a wee. But obviously when I give birth to a brown baby boy I always wash my hands.

That's a strange thing to call Luke.

donegal.

Gambas wrote: »

Most times I wash my hands after a piss, but it is always a half hearted bit of a splash, and the odd time I don't bother. I'm unconvinced by the wash hands after piss. I don't hold onto the bowl, I don't piss on my hands and my member is judged to be clean enough for human consumption. So why is it necessary? Steam from piss? Germs on flush handle? Why?

i concur.

if i dont touch anything (except the ol todger ) then why would i need to wash my hands ?

jester77

They should put the sink outside the bathroom, as washing your hands is pointless when you have to open the door afterwards to exit.

Tzardine

My local Tesco has a customer toilet which I sometimes use before doing a big shop.

I like to fondle my grapes and then do the same to Tesco's.










Thats not really true.. but I bet there are plenty who do.

RandomName2

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Human beings need to be exposed to filthy germs

that's why todays indoor kids are always sick

Must be why kids in the 19th century were always healthy.

Wait.
http://www.libdemvoice.org/life-expectancy-of-13-thats-victoria-values-for-you-17571.html

Tony EH

On the subject of piss.

Urine is generally sterile, in fact, it's been used in military situations as a makeshift anti-septic.

However, it can pick up some bacteria on the way out of the bladder, but the chances of anyone catching anything from a persons piss is quite low. Obviously, if you have an infection of some sort, the chances increase. But, you'd be really unlucky to actually catch something.

People wash their hands after pissing because of good social norms. It's polite.

TheMilkyPirate

Can't say I rarely if ever wash my hands after a piss at home. Why would I? My willy is clean I shower once sometimes twice a day if I'm training, I'm not 5 so I don't piss on my hands.

If I put my hand down to fix my boxers I don't rush to the toilet to wash my hands, It's never done me any harm. It's a load of bollox I'd say you touch about 50 things a day that have more germs on them than your lad. If a girl can shove it in her mouth without a second thought I think I can safely touch it with my hand.

stimpson

The OP sounds like the kind of person who get's out of the shower to take a piss.

I used to work with a guy who kept a little bottle of alcohol gel and was constantly rubbing it on his hands. He was forever out sick. Give me a few germs to challenge my immune system anyday.

As for the hand dryers, Mythbusters did a program on it, and hand dryers are officially useless at keeping you germ free:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2013_season)#Down_and_Dirty

Sir Arthur Daley

I don't do hand washing any more since purchasing a washing machine, prefer to do the washing on a Friday night too rather than after the toilet.

endacl

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

if you're going to wash your hands after taking a piss you need hot water, soap and vigorous scrubbing. just wetting your hands in the sink and giving it a quick 1-2 like 99% of the "i wash my hands you filthy bastard" brigade do is no better than just walking straight out, especially if you've reached the age where you can manage not to piss on your hands.


after a ****e is a different matter altogether, if anyone doesn't wash their hands after a ****e they deserve to be stabbed in the neck

With a frozen dagger of their own shyte?

:pac:

fergiesfolly

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

And then what happened?

800 years of oppression and armed defiance.

Gambas

jester77 wrote: »

They should put the sink outside the bathroom, as washing your hands is pointless when you have to open the door afterwards to exit.

there's always another door handle...

CiDeRmAn

Part of the trouble with hand hygiene after using the loo is, no matter how carefully you wash them, following international best practice, you still have to leave the lavvy and, unless you've perfected opening the door with either your feet or better still Jedi mind powers you are going to have to touch the handle, a handle touched by some filthy cur before you.
Urine is initially sterile but if its not cleaned it becomes a breeding ground for germs. If the surface is non porous and cleaned regularly then it will be less of a risk but if the handle is dirty then the urine soaks in and germ breeding begins at a pace, in a warm, food rich environment.
And if someone wiped their ass and didn't wash their hands the faecal matter will be unhealthy from the get-go and you'll risk catching and e-coli dose or worse.

Frank Black

Rekop dog wrote: »

I think I'd rather shake the hand of someone who can piss competently at a urinal and not wash than someone who's touched the tap that hundreds have during the day.

Yes, but it's socially tricky to check which one of these criteria a person falls into when being introduced for the first time

Arthur Beesley

Is the whole washing hands after urinating not just a plot by the sops and towel industry to boost sales?

Too Tough To Die

You get more bacteria on your hand after touching the handle of a public restroom door than you would from fisting your own ass.

JumpShivers

It's actually shocking the amount of people who don't wash their hands after using the toilet. Especially in a pub/club or college. :eek:

It's vile.

Sir Arthur Daley

People who don't wash their hands after going to the loo are only taking the piss.