<Ashamed> to avoid using hand towels in other people's bathrooms?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

It occurred to me that I always do this - just let them drip dry instead, because I never know how recently the towel was changed. Anyone else have any ridiculous hygiene obsessions? (Oh, I also use my little finger to open doors when out and about, rather than sacrifice my whole hand to The Germs)

I’m with you there- depends how fastidious I think they are generally about things. I’m also wary about where I accept food/drink and a bit freaky about washing my hands when I get home after I’ve been out anywhere.

Yes. I've been to a few friends' houses who make a really big thing of having 'the nice towels' but they're the same every time I go. I don't know if they just get brought out for visitors, or left out, or what.
I tend to leave our clean towels in a hamper in the bathroom so guests can help themselves rather than have to drip dry.

Oh phew! Feeling less weird now. I think it's a hang up from childhood, as my parents used to wash the hand towels maybe once or twice a year.

(And I’d rather be a bit weird than risk a bout of d&v)

Ermm, people only dry their hands after washing them?

Yeah I’m the same. I very awkwardly try to avoid touching the door handle in public loos.

I put put fresh towels daily and the nice towels get put out when I'm expecting guests.
I only avoid towels and handles in public toilets. I haven't yet visited a filthy house. But I would probably be perched on the edge of my seat and be out of there sharpish.

Ermm, people only dry their hands after washing them?

You have no idea if they washed their hands properly.

I went to a naice restaurant a few weeks ago, where there was only one fabric hand towel in the loo!! It was disgusting and completely put me off my food!!

I am not careful about any of 5his stuff and I haven’t had a stomach bug since I was a student (about 1985). People worry too much b

No, I don't do this, as I don't have OCD.

I'm the same. If there's a pullcord light too, I always reach up high to a bit of it that doesn't get touched.

And loads of people don’t wash properly, a quick rinse under the tap is not a wash!!

I do this.

I always have a look and if the towel doesn’t look fluffy and dry, I don’t touch it.

I also try to time my exit in a public loo, with someone coming in, they walk in, I rush through or put my foot out to catch the door, so I don’t have to touch the handle.

I’m lerfrctky normal apart from that

It’s more unhygienic to let your hands drip dry, it gives the bacteria more chance to grow. Maybe carry about hand sanitiser when you’re visiting guests.

I don’t worry about anything like this. Apart from catching norovirus in a hospital 8 years ago I’ve never had a stomach bug.

*perfectly

Nope. It's never crossed my mind and now that it has, I can happily say I won't care less

These really aren't necessary unless you're in a house you feel is dirty. As these are your family and friends assuming a visibly clean house is so dirty you need to avoid hand towels and light pulls is extreme.

You're not going to get ill and you don't need to do it.

I use loo roll to dry my hands. Always pull the cord from as high as I can reach. Always put my sleeve over my hands to open doors, if Im out.

Lido I thought I only did this with the pull cord! I absolutely detest fabric white ones as you can see it gets whiter the closer it is to the ceiling!

FFS - this is ridiculous.

What are you worried will happen? I know many people with not the best hygiene standards but they never seem to be sick.

""Ermm, people only dry their hands after washing them?

You have no idea if they washed their hands properly."

I am in Scandinavia, having suffered many general public toilets, most people don't wash their hands. So the towels are clean.

I’m like this too, I change my hand towels in bathrooms every few days but actually I like the idea of having a hamper of small towels. But probably won’t go to those lengths. Public loos, I pull my sleeve only my hand or use a bit of clothing (if wearing a long cardigan or jumper) so my hands don’t touch handles etc. I definitely don’t have OCD as mentioned up thread, I have horses and dogs and definitely with those combinations am not ‘icky’ about stuff, but my house is mostly very clean and I’ve seen far too many people coming out of public toilets and not washing their hands to want to touch the same surfaces they do..