AIBU to be shocked at how many people don’t wash their hands!

[Readysetcake]

I’m not an obsessively clean, but hand washing after the toilet is non negotiable.

I’m not sure why but I started to notice when people don’t wash their hands in public toilets and now I can’t help but watch every person as my own personal survey.

I’m so shocked at the number of people that don’t wash their hands or literally just wet them under the tap (which is actually more unhygienic as bacteria like moist environments). The people that use soap and give their hands a proper rinse are in the minority.

AIBU to think that this is pretty horrible? And do you think these people are just doing it because they don’t like public toilets and their hygiene is better at home, or are they just spreading bum bacteria over their homes too?

Or maybe I’m BU and it’s not a big deal? Interested to hear people opinions

I think a lot of people use antibacterial hand gel from their handbags when out and about.

YANBU!

People are grim.

You wont find much support on here though.

People don't wash their hands enough and its is grim.

Completely agree (nurse here!). These will be the same people that wear face masks to protect against corona virus. There should be a big campaign to explain that washing hands is the best protection against all forms of infection. Hand gel just doesn't give the same protection.

I use antibacterial gel after I leave the public loo because so many people don’t wash their hands and I have to open the door they they have just touched.

You are so not being unreasonable. One of the few things that infuriates me, so selfish.

YANBU I work in a school and I rarely hear anyone wash their hands after using the toilet, at most, like you say, a cursory splash under the tap.

Anti Bacterial gel is a waste of time as that won't kill viruses, people need educating on how effective good hand washing is.

Antibacterial gel is not nearly as effective as a good wash with hot soapy water. I wish more places had paper towels though as DD (2) freaks out at the hand dryer, meaning I have to shake my hands dry or use my jeans.

The thing that bothers me is supposedly educated people on here declaring that they don’t wash their hands for x stupid reason and then just use antibacterial gel.

Honestly, if people who should know better don’t, how can you educate those less aware?

It's absolutely disgusting and is one of the reasons I hate using public toilets. Just so grim. I try not to touch any handles or doors on the way out.

YANBU.

So many people that don't understand the importance of handwashing. As a result when we have to hot desk at work, I will clean the desk, phone, keyboard and mouse with antibacterial wipes before use.

Don't touch loo door handles with bare hands after washing them or door entry keypads.

Also don't accept things like biscuits that colleagues want to hand to me, or worse when they put it on a desk, expecting me to eat it 😝

Also have a DD that hates hand dries. Often find myself walking around with damp trousers due to lack of hand towels!

Eww I didn’t think of the hot desk thing. Glad it’s not just me that finds it grim.

I work in a school and I rarely hear anyone wash their hands after using the toilet

Urgh that’s so depressing. A school! You’d think teachers/school staff would be acutely aware of how fast stuff spreads in schools and want to protect themselves!

I carry tissues wipes antibacterial gel, wouldn't dream of touching a door handle or tap and air dryers breed germs I think I'm fully covered.

Oh it's disgusting! I went into the toilet at work after someone yesterday who had clearly done a number two and hadn't washed their hands as they were out two secs after flushing the toilet 🤢 it's disgusting and inconsiderate.

What is the technique for opening doors without touching the handle? I tried it at work earlier and had to give in and use my hands or I would still be in there. I think it can be difficult to wash hands well in public loos as many have those freaky taps where you have to keep pushing the tap down or hold it with one hand so you cant actually wash your hands properly.

@ChipsCheeseAndBeans Me too.

I wash my hands with soap then after touched handle to get out toilets use gel.

It would be better if you had to pull to go in public toilets and push the door to get out.

I have severe eczema and can’t use the soap in toilets and I’ll have a rash up my arm in seconds. I do use hot water and anti bac.

Yeah, some people are actually that disgusting. I know a doctor, who doesn't have any soap in the house, and doesn't wash her hands after the loo (at home and in public loo).

Yeah people are minging. See far too much people not bothering to wash their hands at all, it's so gross. I won't eat any baking brought into the office, who knows who made it and if they cleaned thoroughly beforehand.

@Sunflower20

Have you spoken to that doctor about it. Can you secretly inform those she works with about her ways. If she has patients she could be infecting them with all sorts of viruses, germs, and worst of all parasites like threadworms.

The trick to opening doors is:

1. Wear things with long sleeves, that can be pulled down further to cover your hands.
2. When out and about have some gloves to put after washing but before leaving the loo.
3. If don't have the above, use elbow to pull door open a bit and legs and feet to pull it open enough to wiggle out.
4. If I'm in the office and can't avoid touching the door handles or keypad lock, then a trip to the kitchen to wash hands again is in order.

From that you guessed I have some OCD traits, right? 😉

Yanbu I totally agree

Juansheet I know! It's a large secondary too, I just think of all those teachers touching kids books etc Grim, really grim

I see loads of people who just wet their hands too! I've always thought that's got to be worse than not bothering at all!

@Raininsummer where there are paper towels I wash my hands, dry then and then take the next paper towel and use that to open the doors. There is almost always a bin outside to drop it into.