Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Really weird stuff people do that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

709 replies

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 17:12

Someone I know puts hotel TV remotes in plastic bags before using them, because she once heard a standup comedian talking about men wanking on them while watching porn.

WTAF?

What weird things do people you know do that make absolutely no sense at all? Anything as odd as that?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:50

I think older people are more paranoid about switching off electricals at night, because in the past a lot of them were genuinely more dangerous than they are now. A lot of things used a lot more power than modern devices do, and had far less fail safe mechanisms in them. Modern circuit breakers are really quick to operate as well.

OP posts:
XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:49

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:42

I've stayed in loads of hotels, never felt a need to clean them, used the kettles, remotes, towels and bed linen, and have never suffered any ill effects.

I'm not going to be lectured or shamed for that, thank you.

I did that exactly how? I merely responded to your question about a source.
You don't want people to answer your questions? Maybe you should consider not asking questions. I don't get what your problem is, but whatever. Carry on.

HotPotato123 · 18/08/2024 21:49

Just wanted to add that I own a self catering apartment/air b&b and I ALWAYS clean the remote thoroughly 🙂

PerkyMintDeer · 18/08/2024 21:47

CombatLingerie · 18/08/2024 21:41

@PerkyMintDeer I don’t know why but red for privates is really making me laugh😂 . I like my own towel and DH has his own but I do use my own towel indiscriminately all over my body. I am now thinking of the towel in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

It's always been said with a slight panic as well...

"Now remember Little Perky, it's RED for your PRIVATES!!! Use the middle for your front, rinse it, flip it over and use the CORNERS for your BOTTY. Be VERY CAREFUL, you don't want to get an INFECTION."

No wonder I grew up with anxiety and sexual shame.

Red = Danger

PRIVATES = RED = DANGER = BOTTY = INFECTION - arrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhh

Gwenhwyfar · 18/08/2024 21:46

OldSchoolCasualty · 18/08/2024 19:18

my ex's Nan would turn EVERYTHING off at the plug before she left the house or went to bed, everything except the fridge and freezer (because we trust them).
He lived with her for a while so he did it to, so when we house sat for my parents while they were away he unplugged the sky box so nothing recorded. They weren't best pleased!

My bf has switched off some of my extension leads without telling me, meaning my phone didn't charge. I was really not happy.

Everyoneesleistheproblem · 18/08/2024 21:45

God its not the remote or other hard surfaces. A quick wipe and they are clean. Its those extra bed cushions and covers you know haven't been washed in months, people have done all sorts on those even if its just throwing them on the floor where their outside shoes have tramped over.

My fave was my lovely aunt who covered all her saucers in cling film. God knows why. She had a right and wrong way of doing everything. I like the quirks. It makes us human.

Areolaborealis · 18/08/2024 21:45

I know someone who bought a newbuild house only to take it back to the brick for and extreme level of renovation that seemed unnecessary for a brand new house with nothing structurally wrong with it. Surely a lick of paint and new fixtures and fittings would suffice?

Biffbaff · 18/08/2024 21:44

Ripping up actual grass and replacing it with plastic grass.
Same goes for plastic outdoor shrubbery.
It's all that's wrong with the world!

hopelessbusiness · 18/08/2024 21:43

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:37

Did they live in Royston Vasey, and have twin daughters called Chloe and Radclyffe?

So glad you said this!

"White for hands, brown for feet
Green for torso, thighs and seat.
And in the cupboard beneath the stair
You'll find the red for pubic hair. "

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 18/08/2024 21:43

I haven’t RTFT but the comedian is Gina Yashere and she calls it “control condom”. She does hotel reviews on her Instagram when she is staying away from home.

She also does not like the exposed duvet covers. Can’t remember what she calls them.

thenightsky · 18/08/2024 21:43

JaneJeffer · 18/08/2024 21:11

Shock this is the most shocking thread I've ever read on MN! Milk and butter as @CharlotteStreetW1 says!

Milk? Double cream, butter and black pepper here. Not sure I could pass that thick gloop through a sieve though.

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:42

XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:39

Person A to Person B;
"Don't you think your source might be biased?"

Person B provides other sources.

Person A; "I don't care."

😆

I've stayed in loads of hotels, never felt a need to clean them, used the kettles, remotes, towels and bed linen, and have never suffered any ill effects.

I'm not going to be lectured or shamed for that, thank you.

OP posts:
Oreosandwich · 18/08/2024 21:42

This thread has made me realise I'm an absolute slattern because I use hotel remotes and kettles, don't wash my veg or my meat.

My weird thing is, on the first of every month I will stand outside the front door with a pinch of cinnamon and blow it into the house. I can't even remember where I heard the tradition but it's said to bring abundance and prosperity.

CombatLingerie · 18/08/2024 21:41

@PerkyMintDeer I don’t know why but red for privates is really making me laugh😂 . I like my own towel and DH has his own but I do use my own towel indiscriminately all over my body. I am now thinking of the towel in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Gwenhwyfar · 18/08/2024 21:40

Differentstarts · 18/08/2024 18:17

I do this I thought everyone does

In most of the places I've lived, I can't even access the switch and plug of the cooker. Cooker and fridge stay on permanently.

XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:39

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:35

I still don't care.

Person A to Person B;
"Don't you think your source might be biased?"

Person B provides other sources.

Person A; "I don't care."

😆

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:37

Gingerkittykat · 18/08/2024 21:31

I have a friend who has a very elaborate towel and cloth system.

Certain coloured towels are for hands, some for the whole body, and some just for the bum area. She explained the colours to me once but it is too elaborate to remember.

She still talks about the time several years ago when my DD and her friend used the wrong coloured towel in the kitchen to dry their hands!

Did they live in Royston Vasey, and have twin daughters called Chloe and Radclyffe?

OP posts:
PerkyMintDeer · 18/08/2024 21:36

Gingerkittykat · 18/08/2024 21:31

I have a friend who has a very elaborate towel and cloth system.

Certain coloured towels are for hands, some for the whole body, and some just for the bum area. She explained the colours to me once but it is too elaborate to remember.

She still talks about the time several years ago when my DD and her friend used the wrong coloured towel in the kitchen to dry their hands!

You're friends with my Mum.

And it's red for "privates" and there are designated areas (mid part/corners) for front and back.

And there's a coded cleaning cloth system too. You may have guessed already that it's red for the toilet area.

Dad's nearly been divorced and cleaners have lost their jobs for using the wrong towel in the kitchen to dry their hands. How can anyone not know it's pure white for hands and checked navy blue and white for dishes (and checked pale blue and white for pots and pans).

SnapBang · 18/08/2024 21:36

“Lying sprawled out on the grass, or on a beach, on hot days. This quite literally serves no purpose. It is something that people only do because they have seen other people doing it”

…what?! I do it because it feels delightful to lie in the sunshine and feel the warmth on my skin. Obviously 😂

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:35

XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:20

www.medicinenet.com/hotel_hygiene_is_your_hotel_making_you_sick/views.htm

https://globalnews.ca/news/2468543/dont-touch-the-remote-study-reveals-dirtiest-spots-in-hotel-rooms/

Is that sufficient, or do you require more?

Good for you. You have a robust immune system. Not everyone is so fortunate.

I still don't care.

OP posts:
CombatLingerie · 18/08/2024 21:34

I have just realised that I must be very weird! I have never drunk ‘squash’. Obviously I know shops sell it 😂 but I didn’t realise quite so many people drink it until I read this thread. I probably drink too much tea to fit in another liquid!

Whatineed · 18/08/2024 21:34

onwardandupwards · 18/08/2024 20:30

My next door neighbour pegs her washing out a couple of items at a time, walks back down the garden, goes back in collects more, pegs that out, goes bk in gets 2 more items over and over ( no disabilities ect ), same with getting it in. Better than the other side whose washing has been hanging out for almost a month.

Is she trying to get her step count up maybe?

PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:33

XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:03

If you knew the facts on how full of bacteria (some of it dangerous) hotel rooms are, you would think otherwise.

Nope. I'm still never going to do any of that.

OP posts:
PrimitivePerson · 18/08/2024 21:31

XChrome · 18/08/2024 21:01

Sigh.
You get the germs on your hands. You then rub your eyes, nose or other mucus membranes, or you eat something, brush your teeth etcetera. That's how the bacteria get in.
One study I saw found that 60% or hotel rooms harbour dangerous bacteria, including the dreaded MRSA.

So no, it isn't weird. It's smart, though I would just wipe it down with an antibacterial instead. I always do that in hotels. I wipe the surfaces in the bathroom, the remote, the phone, the doorknobs and the light switches. Those are the high risk spots. I also ask for a freshly laundered blanket and underpad because, although the sheets are clean, the blankets and underpads have usually not been washed in a month or more.

I never, ever worry about this or do this stuff. I'm perfectly healthy and extremely rarely ill.

I'd say your hygiene routines are excessively paranoid.

OP posts:
Gingerkittykat · 18/08/2024 21:31

MattSmithsBowTie · 18/08/2024 18:24

I think it’s ok to do odd things like put a remote in a bag as long as you realise it’s a bit odd (does sleeping in the hotel bed not bother her?) it’s when people do odd things but don’t realise it, like a friend of mine won’t let you dry your hands on a tea towel, apparently they’re only for dishes, so you’re supposed to walk from the kitchen to the loo to wash your hands if you’re cooking 🙄

I have a friend who has a very elaborate towel and cloth system.

Certain coloured towels are for hands, some for the whole body, and some just for the bum area. She explained the colours to me once but it is too elaborate to remember.

She still talks about the time several years ago when my DD and her friend used the wrong coloured towel in the kitchen to dry their hands!