To expect guests to wash their hands on arrival?

[SillyFillyDress]

Am I being unreasonable in thinking people should wash their hands when coming from outside to your house?
Would you ask kids who come to yours for a playdate to wash their hands?
Would you ask adults?

I wash my hands if I've been on public transport particularly after my work commute (2 trains and tube). I just do it automatically and I think it's practical rather than because of germs because I've often been reading the Metro and have newsprint on my hands!

I'll also wash my hands if I've stroked a dog/cat while out. I do notice my hands smelling "doggy".

But otherwise no. The outdoors isn't something I consider dirty/germy per se though we are a shoes off house - that's mainly to stop gravel and earth being tracked around though. I've read some threads on here where people have said they can't sit on their sofa or bed before changing out of clothes they've worn outside because germs. Astonishing. I frequently do both those things in my "outdoor" clothes and guess what has happened ... absolutely nothing!

No. I'd refuse. I don't think too much hand washing is healthy. I don't like Covid hand sanitizer either.

No hand washing but I do hose visitors down on the front drive before I let them in.

We were invited into a home for a cup of tea, the family were Turkish. They asked us to wash our hands when we arrived as is custom in their country? We happily obliged. I thought it was sensible, thoughtful and respectful to do this when entering a persons home and I’m pleased they felt comfortable to ask.

I wouldn’t ask kids or adults to wash their hands upon entering my house. If someone asked me to do that I would find it very odd. I’d do it, but I wouldn’t go back for a second visit.

I was brought up to wash my hands when coming home, so I have always done it. Also removing outdoor footwear. It seems pretty basic to me. I don't expect people here to do it, but I think basic hygience is pretty poor in the UK. So many people coughing and sneezing everywhere. Not washing their hands after using the toilet or changing nappies or fiddling with animals. Not wiping gym equipment after sweating all over it. Wearing healthcare uniforms on public transport and in supermarkets. There's robust exposure to germs (healthy and appropriate) and then there's just filth.

I don't use sanitiser or antibacterial sprays/wipes. I just wash like a proper person.

It’s absolutely fine if somewhat wants to do this. It’s verging on inhospitable to ask an adult to wash their hands before entering their home because of “germs” unless the person is undergoing chemo or recently had an organ transplant or is otherwise very vulnerable. I am immunodeficient so I am way more cautious than others but I cannot imagine asking someone to wash their hands just to enter my home.

Basic hygiene isn’t “poor” in the U.K. or else we would have experienced spread of covid and continue to experience spread of other viruses worse than other countries.

I wash like a proper person (wtf 😂) AND use antibacterial sprays and wipes on surfaces. I think just “washing” is filthy. (I don’t really, just using your own silly example!)

I wash my hands when I get in from work, but then I'm handling money all shift and I've SEEN what some people do with cash (and where they keep it). The rest of the time I only wash my hands after the loo, after cleaning up after the dog or before I eat.
Other people I wouldn't even notice whether or not they washed their hands. But then I don't care if the dog licks me, and I'm certainly not jumping up to wash my hands every time I touch her, so I'm taking my chances here. Didn't get ill despite working through the whole Covid thing, so I reckon I'm good.

I would do it if you asked but I would think you were very rude and very odd and would be very uncomfortable for the rest of the visit. I would wonder what else I wasn't allowed to do (breathing - that's a very germy thing to do) and what you secretly thought I was too dirty to touch. I would make my excuses and leave very soon after I arrived. I would ask a child to wash their hands if they were actually dirty - e.g. mud, paint - and if I was giving them something to eat but not just because they were entering my house. As for adults, I would never, ever be so rude.

It's a cultural norm in some places and UK families with links to those places might still do it

What?!!!! I've never been asked this is in my life!!!! And I've never asked this of others!!!

Is this a joke!!?

I have lived all over the world and it's not been a thing Anywhere!!!!!!

😱🤣

Same…

No

YANBU, people completely underestimate the importance of what should be a routine hygiene practice in reducing the transmission of common infections

I've never been asked to do this anywhere in the world visiting people from all different cultures. Nor would I ever ask anyone else visiting my home to do this

You're in the extreme minority with this one OP, this is not normal.

No. People should wash their hands before eating. but it's not to be expected on arrival.

Are you perhaps still affected by your anxiety levels at the height of the pandemic?

If I was coming to see a new born/young baby or knew someone in the house was immucompromised I would but if not, no.

No I would not ask a guest to my home to wash their hands before any socialising could commence 🤔

That's not how that works.

YABU UNLESS there is someone vulnerable/extremely vulnerable in the house - then its shoes off, hands clean coat at the door

No. But the first thing I usually need when I arrive anywhere is a wee so I'd be your perfect guest op. Straight to the loo and thereafter a hand-wash. Hope you provide nice soap.

I would if I was visiting a newborn, or if there was someone immuno compromised etc. If someone asked me to do it, internally I'd think it was a bit odd, but wouldn't question it

Never

How welcoming 😂

No, I would not expect any guests to wash their hands at any point. That’s completely weird.