I have to warn you now.
This entry is not going to be pretty.
But someone has got to say something.
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Fine… sigh… I\’ll do it.
I travel quite a bit. I\’ve been on dozens of planes and in countless airports this year.
What\’s the first thing many people do when they get off the plane?
That\’s right. They head to the restroom.
Hey, you gotta go, you gotta go, right?
It\’s something we all do as part of the human race. I guess if you ever need to look at what unites us instead of divides us, there\’s always the lowest common denominator.
Anyhow, here\’s the disgusting part. (No really, I\’m getting to it.)
Almost every time I use a public restroom (where there are many people), it is inevitable that I\’ll observe someone leaving without washing their hands.
Now it\’s not like I go looking for people. But it\’s pretty obvious when someone exits the stall or urinal area without taking a path to the sink.
And we\’re talking all kinds of men.
Professionals dressed in suits.
Rough-looking characters dressed in army boots.
And boys whose mother\’s would go ballistic on them if they saw what I saw.
It\’s DISGUSTING!
No wonder people spread germs so easily.
These people EAT with those hands. They shake OTHER people\’s hands. And they touch doorknobs and other things that you or I may interact with.
Gee thanks.
I recently observed one man leaving the restroom after standing at the urinal. I know because he was beside me. We \”finished\” about the same time. I turned left for the sinks. He went directly out the door.
Ewwwww.
At the baggage claim, I saw him again. He greeted what appeared to be a family member (his Father perhaps?) and shook his hand.
Gross.
Ok, so what\’s my point?
First of all, if this is you, STOP IT! If you are going to do as nature intended, have the deceny to clean up after yourself. Seriously, you aren\’t an animal. Show some dignity.
Secondly, maybe it\’s time we start a national campaign (International, perhaps?)
When you see someone leaving the restroom without cleaning themselves off, say out loud (so it embarrasses them)…
\”Dude, wash your hands!\”
I\’ve actually done this a few times when I\’ve spotted boys leaving the restroom without washing up. I know what its like as a parent and if I see them exit without washing I will take on the parental role and instruct them to wash up. I\’m sure their parents would thank me. Finally, a legitimate use for the phrase \”it takes a village.\”
And the same goes for you ladies.
My wife informs me that some women can be just as disgusting.
Ick.
If we are going to be having hysteria over Swine Flu virus and such, the least we can do is take reasonable precautions against spreading germs.
And if that\’s not a good enough reason, how about common decency?
If this blog post has alerted just one person to how disgusting their lack of hygiene is, it will have been worth it.
DUDE! Wash your hands!