Would it be rude?

Question

I don't have kids yet, but when I do, would it be rude to offer people hand sanitizer before they could hold the little one? Just curious if you would be offended.

Answer 1

The immune systems of small children aren't as developed, if they want to hold your child, they can follow your rules, and with a decent respect to prudence, they should be clean before they touch the baby. If they get offended, tell them to **** off. I never have any respect for people who get offended, because it's not like anything is innately offensive, you have to choose to care about what someone says, if someone says something you don't like, they're an asshole, so who cares? And if they make a perfectly reasonable request and someone gets offended, that person is quite silly.

I've run many succesful internet communities, and I find it works better when you ban people who get offended by things than if you accomodate them.

Answer 2

Hmmm, this is tricky. You are implying to people that their hygiene habits are less than sanitary. However, that said, the common cold is transferred by touching contaminated surfaces. And studies have been done that show most people do not wash their hands properly after using the rest room.
I would preface your request for hand sanitizer by saying, "I would appreciate it if you would use this. My baby picks up every little thing that is going around."
P.S. some people are sensitive to the alcohol in these products, then where are you?

Answer 3

Rude, no. Useful? Probably not. Believe it or not, children *need* to be exposed to common bacteria, it's what helps develop their immune systems. Unless the baby has a weak immune system, or the person holding the baby is sick, there's no need for hand sanitizers. Especially if you breast-feed, because you are naturally passing on immunity to many common diseases and illnesses to your baby.

Since there's still a lot of debate on this, it likely won't hurt any if you use it and if you do decide to, who cares if it's rude. It's your baby.

Answer 4

Probably not. Those who aren't close friends and family might be a little offended, but probably won't show it. But it doesn't matter, a partially offended adult is better than a sick baby.

Watch out for him/her first. Sanitize anyone who comes into the area.

Answer 5

When the child is an infant I don't think it is rude at all. You need to protect your children from any little bugs they can get. In this day and age people should understand. It's your child so if they don't like it than oh well you just have your babies best interest in mind.

Answer 6

Absolutely NOT! It's also not rude to ask someone to change before they hold your baby if they just smoked.. it's also not rude to ask people at stores and stuff not to touch your baby if they attempt too.. you can do it nicely so not to offend people but there are way to many dieases and stuff out there floating.. you don't know how clean people are......

Answer 7

That's exactly what I did for at least the first 2 months of my daughter's life. I don't think it's rude, but even if some would perceive it that way, oh well. It's more important to worry about your child's health then to worry about being rude.

Answer 8

That would actually be a very smart thing to do, and if the person decides to be mad about the health and safety of your little one being important to you, then I don't think I would want them around any way!

Answer 9

No, it wouldn't be rude, but don't be one of those OBSESSED people over germs getting on your baby! People are going to breath germs on your baby wether they wash their hands or not. You can't keep your baby in a bubble!

Answer 10

Of course I wouldn't be offended. Every one should understand that germs are passed by dirty hands.

Just make sure you're polite in the way you ask them to use it.