Thursday, March 27, 2008

catch 22

This week we had a senior individual from the London office visit NYC. Over the years I've know him, I've always been sorta evasive shaking hands (or anything which involved direct contact) just given the fact he flushes at the men's room and often walks straight out the door - to me, that's just nasty.

In an observational study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and The Soap and Detergent Association, slightly over three-quarters of men and women (77%) washed their hands in public restrooms – a six percent decline from a similar study conducted in 2005.

I seriously cannot understand why people DON'T wash their hands. For those of you who do, just remember these people touch the door on the way out. Am particular about cleanliness & hygiene - am not a germophobe and neither do I believe, the only good reason to wash your hands after doing your business, is to wash away things you've been collecting on your hands thru the day.

And this isn't just men. Girlfriends say, the amount of women who come out of the toilet, brush their hair, apply their lippy and then walk out is equally appalling. I suspect such folks are a step lower on the evolutionary chain than most of us or something?

Anyway, the senior dude came around to say goodbye since he was returning to London this evening (and retiring next month). Whilst leaving, he extended a handshake - I was caught in a catch 22.

8 comments:

i*maginate said...

Ewwwwwwwwww....

You spot them a mile off...

"Turn it on, I do too"

Then a shot with lady rinsing hands with soap

Nice soap advertisement ... ?! hehe

hut said...

I totally agree with you. This pisses me off (pun intended) majorly.
Public shaming works. Shout across the open plan office: "Oi, X didn't wash his hands after the loo!" or send an email about it "to all", accidentally including the person concerned.

I see you have a still lot to learn about office etiquette.

Jayne said...

If there's ever a next time rosh, hock up a lurgy into your hand & then offer to shake. Sould put him off.

BuJ said...

lol, funny.. Rosh.. I'd shake his hand and then say "I'm off to wash my face" as you walk off with a smile...

Desert Princess said...

ugh, that's so gross!!! You see it ALL the time.. and whenever it happens in the ladies, I make a habit of saying (loudly) to my friend; 'some people are SO dirty!'

Anonymous said...

lol Rosh, I was thinking abou this toilet issue yesterday....you think this man is at fault...you should come for a visit to the ladies washroom...its disgusting...I can't believe what I see most of the time..women can be DIRTY in every way you want to interpret the word...
Washing hands is only a part of it...
Next time you guys look at a well dressed beautiful girl, make sure you check her toilet habbit.

Never judge the book by the cover..never...
Yuck....

former HLH

Anonymous said...

Are some people allergic to water or what? Or are they trying to protect the environment by avoiding water? :-)

rosh said...

Yup i* - ewww & double ewww!

Nick, you are hilarious!! I couldn't do that, even if I wanted to hahaha :)

Wowza Jayne! Thanks for the tip!

BuJ: wash my face eh? hmmmm, thoughtful. In this instance, I used an entire tiny bottle of Purell :) Ah, the cleansing feeling!

Allo Desert Princess: welcome to mi blog. Name and shame - should do some good eh?

Heeeyyy HLH - long time no speak Doc. How goes :) Yup, I've heard hygienic horror escapades from girl friends. Some women aren’t all that hygienic – and don’t let all that make-up, lip loss, fool ya! It's disgusting really, washing hands isn't too much to ask is it? Anyhooo, hope the test preps are on track - good luck!

Ahlan wa sahlan DG: thanks for dropping by and your comment :) Nope, I don't think it's either - its pure laziness and/or crude hygiene.

We've got a new colleague at work, relocated from the UK. I caught him flush and walk out the door - as I passed by his cube at work, offered him an elephant sized Purell hand sanitizer as a "welcome" gift. Hope the message went thru, heheehee :)