what is the proper etiquette to approach people who don't wash their hands after using a public toilet?

Question

I was in a restroom at the grocery store,when i overheard a mother and child,the child was going number 2 and the mother was instructing him,after they were done.The mother asked the child if he wanted to wash his hands,he said "nooo" and the mother said okay???? IS THIS NOT WHY WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE CASES OF ECOLI- AND SICKNESSES PASSED FROM POOP??? i found this so disgusting I just felt like saying something but I kept my mouth shut,is there a polite way of approaching someone like this?or is it none of my buisness?personally I think washing of hands should be ENFORCED!

I see so many people not wash their hands aftering going to the toilet its frightening!WHY CANT PEOPLE JUST WASH THEIR HANDS IT TAKES LESS THEN 2 MINS!

Answer 1

Don't touch their hands

Answer 2

Hands spread more germs than anything else. I just always make a point to wash my hands and let others in the public restroom see that I am, which is my way of encouraging then to do the same. It works a many cases, as I see them finish, and start out and, there I am looking at them while I am drying my hands. It is something that is taught at home by enforcing what may be taught at school. But children should already know that you wash your hands before you eat and always after using the facility.

Answer 3

Well, when I was younger and my children were young they didn't want to wash their hands.

I smiled and sat them down and explained germs. I explained colds, the flu and other sicknesses. I said germs can spread so easily. Like when you sneeze or cough you have invisible germs coming out of your nose and mouth.

I said then, when you wash your hands after using the bathroom, or playing outside you will be clean and germs will not spread so easily. And, you won't spread your germs to your friends that you love.

Then, I said return to the bathroom and I'll show you how I do it. Maybe start a point system. Keep score of how many times they have washed their hands on a piece of paper that is hung up for them to see. And give them a reasonable goal (along with tooth brushing) to meet. And, if they meet this goal that you will both praise them and take them out to MacDonalds.

I am not actually sure the keeping score bit is the best. But it's just an idea.

But, there is no two hoots about it. I would first ask my children to wash their hands then if it came down to it, I would order it.

Now how to approach someone who is not known to you; that's tough. I think a sign in front of the bathroom and inside the bathroom should read "washing your hands is important because it helps to keep the germs away, and germs are what causes us to be sick".

Answer 4

I agree, it is disgusting. But it's not your business, and no, there is no polite way to eavesdrop on a conversation and then offer unsolicited advice about things that don't concern you. All you could have done in that situation is to have lead by example and smiled at the child as you washed your hands or said something like "all clean!" to make it seem like it was enjoyable.

You can't change others' behavior, just your own. So carry around some hand sanitizer, use a paper towel to turn doorknobs, and try not to let the imperfections of others effect you too much. Life is too short to worry so much about things you cannot change.

Good luck.

Answer 5

There is no polite way to tell someone that their hygiene is appalling and that they are disease spreading pigs. I think we should be allowed to tackle the offenders and force them to wash their hands or get zapped with a taser! I would have told that woman that she should wash her sons hands even if the little cherub didn't find it necessary. Who is the adult? And as an adult she should know better. Great mothering skills!

My mother is a physician that works in the field of infectious diseases, the stories I could tell. Entire cruise ships of people are sick at sea due to not washing hands! That's so disgusting! It's totally avoidable and people are too lazy to wash up. Disgusting.

I'm with you girl. Everyone should was their hands after the use to loo, even if they do not poo! My favorite is the people that think Purell is a good substitute even when soap and water are available! Purell isn't going to get feces out from under your fingernails, people.

Answer 6

Keep your comments to yourself unless you know the
individual personally. There may be other circumstances
that you are not aware of...for example, the mother may
have a washrag in the car. My mother-in-law did, because she did not trust what was available in the restrooms.
There are a lot of places I had rather risk not wash my hands anyway in view of the dirtiness of the washbasins.

I agree with you...parents do not care for their childen
as they should....but having said that, I have raised four
and they all turned out well. I would highly have resented
a stranger telling me what I should or should not do regarding
my child.

As for having this practice enforced...good luck. While you
are at it, please enforce the mandatory flushing of toilets
after use. This perhaps advances the spread of ecoli and
disease as much as what you are talking about.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you in principle...but there
are something things beyond our control.

Answer 7

Personally I find Western toilet habits to be totally unhygienic. In the East where I have lived for the past 10 1/2 years it is NORMAL to wash your bum clean when you have used the toilet. You wash it with your left hand and provide the water with your right hand. Also you never offer anybody food with your left hand even though you have washed it thoroughly after your visit to the toilet.Their method is far more sanitary than just rubbing it clean with a piece of tissue.

Answer 8

You approach them with your hands behind your back. You certainly don't want to shake their hand.
However, it is not your place to correct them - that would be rude.

One other theory about why we have so many germ-related illnesses is that families have started using antibacterials in the home, and the immune system of children never gets the change to build up defenses against such things.

But 10000% agree, it is inexcusably rude and disgusting to not wash your hands after visiting the bathroom.

Answer 9

That's a tough one! But as a mom of 5 I have to say I would have said something like "It really would be safer for all of us it he washed his hands, it also teaches him good hygiene habits" then it would have been up to her to fallow through. You really can't be quiet when it is all of our health on the line because someone lets a child decide whether or not to wash their hands! Good clean hands are always best! At any age!

Answer 10

I think the best way for each of us to handle this is to be good role models for others while in the public restroom. If we wash our hands and smile politely at the others exiting the stalls, maybe....just maybe, they will do likewise.

Answer 11

If I didn't know the people, like the mother and child, I would definitely have made my point! You will never see them again, so why not. I probably would have said "Oh yummy, I bet you're going to let little Johnny touch all the apples too if he wants"