Would you say something to someone if you knew they didn’t wash their hands after using the toilet?

[asblindasabat]

On Christmas Day, my MIL Used the downstairs loo but didn’t wash her hands. I know this as our lounge is right beside the toilet and you can always hear the water running when the tap is on, which I didn’t hear. She went in, quickly went about her business, toilet flushed and out she came so it was very obvious.

I was going to ask her if she had forgot to wash her hands but I just couldn’t build the courage to do it! I had an audience and it would probably have looked liked I was starting an argument but I did feel somewhat uncomfortable with someone using the toilet, not washing their hands and then touching objects in my house.

if a guest in your house did this, would you just ignore it or would you just say it as it is?

I probably should have said something to her in private that way it wouldn’t have been in front of everyone.

btw to the PP who say she may have had hand sanitizer, I don’t think hand sanitizer should be used after the toilet. I think that would warrant actually washing your hands with soap and water.

I can’t believe how many grubby people on here are saying they don’t wash their hands after using the loo. Grim!

Does it matter at this point.

Yes , it does. Clearly a lot of people don’t realise how to wash their hands properly.

I know! I actually didn’t expect to see this on MN lol.

@asblindasabat this is why I avoid touching door handles in public bathrooms 🤢 humans are a bit rank!

oh me too! I either use a tissue to open them or I use the sleeve of the top I am wearing!

Urgh people who don't wash their hands after having a wee are disgusting. Even if you don't touch your wee when you wipe, I'm presuming you use the flush?

Absolute rotters.

I am Honestly perplexed at the amount of people who don’t realise simply touching the toilet is enough to contaminate their hands!

For the record, I do wash my hands. I just don't police what other people do other than my children.

Unless your MIL is regularly ill with tummy bugs, it's obviously not doing her any harm either.

I quite often don't dry my hands in other people's houses because their towels are fucking rank. Maybe that's why she didn't wash her hands in your house?

"Hey MIL does the soap need refilling? I've been meaning to do it but keep forgetting."

She can hardly say "Don't know, I never use it."

That's your opinion, other people think differently. Technically, if you are using a hand towel after washing your hands, then hand sanitiser is more hygienic. But either way, if you have scented soap, then it is best avoided in many cases

I love how the non hand-washers are so quick to say how MNers are "so weird about germs".

No, it's the most basic hygiene practice whether you're at home, a guest or out in public. It's what you get taught at 5 years old, and a lifelong habit that's second nature. It's like keeping your teeth clean and changing your underwear. It's just the basics. People who don't wash their hands after using the toilet and see nothing wrong in not doing so are gross and there are nothing you can say to convince otherwise.

Sadly it's down to parenting and drumming those lifeskills home at the time when children are receptive, but it obviously doesnt happen in all cases.

OP you're not going to change your MILs habits now so you were probably wise to keep schtum. Just don't eat her sandwiches 🤣

It's everyone's business. It's how diseases spread.

I quite often don't dry my hands in other people's houses because their towels are fucking rank. Maybe that's why she didn't wash her hands in your house?

If the OP was concerned about hand-washing after the MIL went to the toilet, how likely do you suppose it was that her towel was "fucking rank"? How rude.

Unless the person is a child, preferably yours, "calling someone out" (hideous phrase) on their level of hygiene is never appropriate/not the done thing. Shows a poor level of etiquette/social skills.

And this is also why I hate those teeny new builds with loos directly off the lounge/under the stairs.

I guess if it happens again you could say
Oh sorry did I not leave a towel in there to dry your hands .....and jump up and get her one...?

I’ve see people at work do this go toilet and not wash my hands . I can’t believe it especially after covid when it was drilled in to wash hands. It’s laziness , it takes 2 minutes. It always the last ones you expect too kids are generally quite good .

I wouldn't say anything because I wouldn't have noticed.

Your phone is dirtier than most toilets. The sink edge has more germs than the toilet flusher handle bit. All these people saying there's loads of germs, relating it to faecal matter? She was only going for a wee. And we don't even know that.

Once recently I was out at a festival/band day. The toilets were huge queues, There was no soap or paper towels. So I went for a quick wee, didn't wipe, just kind of drip dried. Pulled my pants up and went. I can't see that I had that much more germs on my hands than at any other time. Not ideal. But, No one died.

Plus, The water in your toilet bowl is actually clean. However, the water itself is relatively clean and poses no health risk. Germs are everywhere. This fear of germs on mn is wierd. If you have a healthy immune system, then you just go about your daily business not worrying about germs.

Plus I don't like hand sanitiser. I used it only if I absolutely had to in covid. And don't use it anymore. I find it sticky and drys my hands out. Not a fan. I'll stick to washing my hands like normal thanks. And I don't fear germs generally.

Amazing post.

'Get your fluids off my mince pies MIL!'

Howling

You cant day anything she's a grown woman but it's gross not to wash your hands after going to the loo. It is drilled into my kids as part of having basic standards like not talking with a mouthful or saying please and thank you. Cannot believe the amount of people who don't think its a basic hygiene requirement. Gross

Germs on your hands. Then germs on your hands after washing your hands. There's still lots. So get used to germs!

👍