AIBU to ask why you don't wash your hands?

[sadiekate]

People who don't wash their hands after they go to the toilet.
People who don't wash their hands before preparing/eating food.
People who don't wash their hands after changing nappies.
People who don't wash their hands after putting the bins out.
People who don't wash their hands after handling raw meat.
We all know we are supposed to do these things. And yet lots of people don't. If you don't, why? I promise I'm not intending to criticise anyone, I am just genuinely curious to know, given the risks not washing hands entails, why it isn't a habit for so many.

[Tinkobell]

Some germs are good for the human immune system. I agreed that people ought to do as you suggest.....in an ideal world or situation but you sound like a germaphobe. Get a book about it. I bet you piss off everyone around you!
After stroking top of a pet dogs head before eating a biscuit....would you have to go wash your hands?

[Lethaldrizzle]

www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/why-its-important-to-expose-kids-to-germs-scientist-explains-jack-gilbert-children-babies-immune-a7845031.html

[thelastredwinegum]

There is at least one person at work that will leave the cubicle, then use the hand drier to give the illusion they've washed their hands. The lack of running water is a bit of a give away.

[GorgonLondon]

All of you who don't wash your hands after using the toilet - bloody disgusting. I really hope you never shake hands with anyone or prepare food

[MrsSarahSiddons]

How disgusting not to wash your hands after using the toilet. And if you are preparing food for other people washing your hands should be mandatory. As a society we seem to becoming less civilised.

[susej]

I didn’t realise how often I washed my hands until I moved out recently and I’m buying soap each time in my monthly shop. That said, I’m not a meticulous hand washer and I don’t do it all the time but I do wash them before I sort my sons food and when I’ve been to the loo. My house is very clean, due to having a baby, and door handles etc get a good disinfect with zoflora once a week etc, so I’m not like it as much at home but wash them when I’m out with anti bac. I’ve got it in my changing bag so like a previous poster, I’m that minger who walks out public toilets without washing my hands, then antibacs them. I don’t want to do it in the toilets because then I have to touch the door handle to get out and that’s probably pretty grim.

[BlueJava]

Don't people wash their hands after doing those things? Certainly DP and me do! Only exception would be using a public toilet - I hate the driers as I think of piss evaporating from the toilets coming through them! So I use hand sanitizer instead.

[colditz]

Erm... try telling that to those whose loved ones have just died from TB, pneumonia, meningitis or poisoning by salmonella, listeria or campylobacter.

Statistically very few people

[Accountant222]

I try and wash my hands as little as possible due to eczema, but wipe with a baby wipe, obviously a good scrub after raw meat, public toilets etc.

[ToadOfSadness]

Always after the toilet and not liking the soap is not a reason - better without soap than not at all. Using hand sanitiser isn't the same either - you're supposed to use water, preferably hot water and soap, but at least water.

Hospitals have gel dispensers outside each door for people to use before entering.

I wash my hands in public places, then try not to touch the doors on the way out, not always easy. I carry wipes with me and they are used after using a shopping trolley. I seem to be constantly washing my hands at home, I think I might be a bit over cautious but having read this thread I am not so sure.

[colditz]

I have eczema

I wash my hands constantly and shower twice a day.

Aren't you seeing a link here?

Washing your hands until they are sore creates breaches in the oil barrier on your skin, leaving your skin more open to you guessed it) harmful bacteria.

[Nakedavenger74]

I was my hands on two occasions only. After loo (if I'm in a rush I might skip it or do a cursory rinse but it's rare) and if I'm about to prepare food for someone other than me.

Other than that I'm not an obsessive hand washer and I am very very very rarely ill. It wouldn't occur to me to wash my hands after bin duty

It's just not necessary.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

do business, wash hands, touch tap/door handle - you are ‘germy’ again becaus the last person to leave didn’t wash their hands.

I use my coat/ cardigan (which I wash regularly) open the door and wash the tap thoroughly with soap and water at the same time as I wash my hand. No way do I want other people’s poo germs when I’ve just got my hands clean.

Hand dryers deposit poo microbes anyway so I don’t touch things in the loo once my hands are clean.

[susej]

Oh and washing with only water is not affected at all, and probably worse, because water acts as a transfer. So you’ll actually pick up more and not wash anything off!

[SweetCheeks1980]

I never wash my hands.

[firehousedog]

Anyone who doesn't wash their hands after the toilet is just disgusting. It's common hygiene to wash your hands after the toilet so people who knowingly don't take 20 seconds to wash after are just lazy and yuck. Other things like bins and preping food I can guess some people genuinely forget about I guess. Still gross though.

[Gunpowder]

We had no water for a day when the pipes froze in our street and it brought it home how often I normally wash my hands, about 40 times before 11am. (Changing nappies, going to the loo, helping DC with the loo, preparing breakfast, touching the bin etc.) I hated not being able to wash them.

Hand sanitiser is better than nothing but it doesn’t kill viruses so really not the same as washing your hands with actual soap and water. In terms of public loos I wash my hands properly then use a paper towel to open the door.

[SnowOnTheSeine]

Can we add to the OP's list "after blowing your nose" and "after holding bars on public transport".

I've always washed my hands but I upped my vigilence when my 3 year old was hospitalised with salmonella poisoning. He hadn't eaten food that can give it to you, so it must have been transferred from somebody's hands. He was so so poorly, i never want to see him like that again.

[INXS]

I wash my hands pretty often. But in a public loo, say there’s no paper towels, I do find it awkward to walk around with wet hands, or stand around using those infuriating hand dryers that cut out every 3 seconds.

[WalkingOnAFlashlightBeam]

These threads are usually just an excuse for people to get hysterical with ‘disgusting, can’t believe other people don’t do this’ comments and be able to call other people dirty fuckers while feeling nice and superior. With the added bonus of feeling justified as they see themselves as fighting for hygiene on behalf of all of people with medical conditions who might be more vulnerable to infections. Never mind that if you don’t wash your hands after a wee in your own home if affects precisely nobody but you and your immediate family (whose medical issues you’re generally aware of).

I don’t bother washing my hands after the loo in a public bathroom, I wait until I’m out the door (using a piece of tissue to open it) and then use antibacterial hand gel. It’s quicker and I feel more effective as you’re cleaning yourself once you’re out of the environment. You would only see me exit the toilet and leave the bathroom and start hoiking your judgy pants up.

I don’t think I’m better than other grown adults who’ve made their own risk calculations and decided they don’t feel it’s necessary to wash their hands after using the bathroom. Each to their own.

[Echobelly]

I just forget a lot of the time, re washing after loo. TBH, probably dirtier not to wash hands after being on public transport!

I do always wash around handling raw fish or meat, as that has more possibility for illness.

[IncyWincyMouseRat]

Also a ‘casual’ hand washer. I wash them constantly at work due to being in a hospital but less at home. Certainly after having a poo, cleaning out animals or handling raw meat but everything else just depends how dirty they actually feel. DP is of a similar attitude to me so even if I did start obsessively washing my hands, I’d be no better off in the grand scheme of things.

[WalkingOnAFlashlightBeam]

Just a friendly reminder to everyone that these emojis are available to use in this thread to more accurately convey your disgust and condemnation:

😷🤢🤮😳

The first one is especially useful as it suggests you’re wearing a mask to remain virtuously pure and free from the horrific germs that ‘filthy disgusting people’ are bandying around.

[JuicySwan]

I very rarely wash my hands.
I almost never get colds or other bugs. Even when they’re rife.

The only time I’m bothered - and then I’m meticulous - is when I’m handling raw meat and/or cooking for non-family.

[adaline]

I don't wash my hands that often. Certainly not before meals or after handling money or putting rubbish in the bin.

I struggle with dry skin and exczma on my hands as it is - the last thing I want to do is make that even more painful for me.