Is it rude to ask someone in a public restroom to wash her hands if she doesn't?

Question

after using the toilet. I generally try to steer clear of public restrooms, but sometimes you just have to go. :) I'm really tired of washing my hands to remove the dirt and germs, only to follow someone out who hasn't washed up, and having to touch the door handle after them. It pretty much makes my handwashing pointless, doesn't it? Most times I just grab a papertowel on the way out and grab the door handle with that, but some restrooms don't have towels...only air dryers.

Have you ever mentioned someone's lack of handwashing to them? Is it rude if you do?

Lots of good answers here, thanks. Several people have mentioned carrying hand sanitizer, wet wipes, etc. Why should I have to do this? Everyone (even if it's at the back of their minds) KNOWS you're supposed to wash your hands after using the toilet. I don't care if you touch anything or not, or if urine has a low bacteria count. Your crotch is full of bacteria, and so is the handle of the toilet you just flushed. Why should I have to make a point of carrying hand sanitizer or re-washing my hands with a wet wipe after *I'VE* already done the right thing and washed after using the toilet?

Answer 1

I don't know if it's actually rude to ask someone to wash their hands, but you might not like the reaction you get to your question. It probably would make people angry, and you might not like the results. I wouldn't do it, that's for sure. I know that people don't wash their hands, that's why I take special precautions to carry things with me when using a public restroom. Yes, carrying a paper towel in your purse is a good way to avoid picking up any germs from the door handle. But consider this...what happens when you then grab the handle of the shopping cart, or pick up a can of peas someone else might have handled? How about that package of meat or some other item off the shelf? You see, a person can drive themselves nuts with all the germs that are out there. That's why you do the best you can, keeping yourself as clean as you're able. Germs are a fact of life. We can't protect ourselves from all germs, and actually it's unhealthy to do so. It helps our immune system to be able to fight germs, which then our immune system identifies that germ and develops an immunity to that germ. Unfortunately, our immune system doesn't do that for all germs, but that's the nature of being human. This is why we have super germs now, because we take antibiotics for every little sniffle we get, which made the germs get that much stronger, resisting those antibiotics. So, if you want to take your life in your own hands, then by all means go ahead and see what happens when you tell someone to wash their hands. I'm afraid that it won't be pretty. Not everyone does the right thing, even when we ask. It comes from being raised doing the right thing that it continues to happen. Obviously you've been taught the proper way to care for yourself, and others around you. By you doing the right thing, you know that you've done your part. Sorry that not everyone else thinks this way. It would be a cleaner world if they did. <*)))><

Answer 2

It would be rude to tell a strange this, however I think it to...I have a process for avoiding the whole yuckyness of it. This is how I do it, I use four paper towels in the hand washing process: to turn on the tap, to get the soap, turn off the tap and the last one to dry my hands and open the door. I limit my public bathroom usage so my one trip is the equivalent to four uses. I once had someone asked why I used a paper towel to open the door, I told her, "because I washed my hands after I go to the bathroom, I noticed you didn't. We are in restaurant and I am going to eat my lunch, I don't want to eat whatever you missed when you wiped by touching the door handle..." Needless to say, I didn't make a friend, but got my point across.

Answer 3

I actual have heard of distinct shows that did remark's on germs. i'm positive you'll detect one someplace ( I even imagine Oprah did one)and watch it including your chum. i do no longer watch such issues as that because i imagine about germs each and each and every of the time. i'm so happy to ascertain the sanitary wipes for the food market carts in maximum grocery shops now. when I wash my fingers I dry my fingers off with a paper towel and then turn off the water and open the door with a paper towel. no longer washing your fingers after the lavatory is grimy. I thoroughly understand your disgust. i understand that i should be considered obsessive by technique of a few human beings and that i'm all top with that. I also do no longer anticipate human beings to take an similar measures that I do. in spite of the indisputable fact that if someone is contained in the kitchen or round foodstuff that i'd be eating I insist they wash their fingers. I actual have some large cleansing soap lower than my sink and that i'll claim, "good day before you prepare dinner dinner (or devour or in spite of) attempt this large smelling cleansing soap. One the different hand what does no longer kill you only makes you better and there is plenty better reality to that remark then you definately can imagine. ideal needs. mild & Love,

Answer 4

Well you should petition the health and safety board and your local city council with the idea to have all public rest stops have a hand sanitizer outside of the restroom possibly on the wall so yes, anyone may walk out with dirty hands if they want to, and you wont have anymore germs afterleaving. This includes still washing the hands prior to leaving for better reasons, and sanitizing from the door handles on the way out. Hope you will persevere!

Answer 5

Oh please, like running their hands under cold water for a few seconds makes a difference. And even if they DID wash properly, there are STILL going to be germs on the door, paper towels, sinks, and um, TOLIETS. If you're that germophobic then yes, you SHOULD have to carry sanitizer with you.

And if you happened to catch me not washing my hands and said something to me, I'd probably just rub my dirty, germy hands right on your face, tell you to have a healthy day, and walk out touching as many surfaces between you and the door as possible on the way.

Answer 6

If you didn;t touch anything than you don;t need to wash up. Think about it??

If you pull down, sit down, do you thing, grab a giant wad of TP and blotch it, pull up and leave do you really need to wash your hands?? Use your foot to open and close the door and don;t loc it? Think hard and you tell me.

Also, Urine has a very low bacteria count. Much lower than you would think

Regarding wheather or not it is rude, some would say yes it is, but the door is dirty anyway, so one more won;t matter.

Answer 7

I would never say that to a stranger. I grab some extra paper towels to open the door or put my foot in it to hold it open after someone else touches it. There usually is a trash can right by the door so I toss them before walking out. Carry some antibacterial rinse, but don't antagonize somebody who probably doesn't want to hear it.

Answer 8

I think it'd be rude. Even though I think the same thing all the time, it's not your business to say anything. Just use a paper towel to grab the handle of the door. Many people are pigs, and just because you aren't you can't expect everyone else not to be.

Answer 9

Yeah it is rude to say that to them, unless they are employees at the place in question. Then definitely say something. If you are not comfortable speaking to that person speak to a supervisor instead. I've seen this done plenty of times.

Use toilet paper to open the door if they don't have paper towels.

Answer 10

No, that would be VERY rude to do. Never, ever say that to someone. Just take a bottle of hand sanitizer and use it. Then sit it on the table (If you're eating in a restaurant) and say loudly, "Here's the hand cleaner; You never know what someone touched before touching that salt shaker!"
If they get into food at your table, just say polietly, "Please wash your hands!"