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

Ficheall · 03-02-2014 02:04PM #1

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 · 03-02-2014 02:07PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:08PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:08PM

Donkey Oaty wrote: »

And then what happened?

He washed his hands?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 03-02-2014 02:10PM

WikiHow wrote: »

He washed his hands?

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

hoodwinked · 03-02-2014 02:13PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:14PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:15PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:15PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:19PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:20PM

Human beings need to be exposed to filthy germs

that's why todays indoor kids are always sick

Ficheall · 03-02-2014 02:24PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:29PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:32PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:32PM

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

Ficheall · 03-02-2014 02:34PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:35PM

One irrational & hypocritical man...

Ficheall · 03-02-2014 02:36PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:38PM

rubadub wrote: »

One irrational & hypocritical man...

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

oldyouth · 03-02-2014 02:44PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:53PM

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 · 03-02-2014 02:56PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:00PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:01PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:04PM

We need something like this
88b59818-e708-4723-a70b-bc7951ae7da8

lukesmom · 03-02-2014 03:08PM

howamidifferent wrote: »

Yucky :eek:

No on the contrary it's a beautiful thing

JerCotter7 · 03-02-2014 03:13PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:13PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:26PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:28PM

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 · 03-02-2014 03:35PM

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.

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

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