# If you fail to wash your hands after using the bathroom, you may as well take a crap **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093 "2003-01-16T23:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/21 "2003-01-17T07:16:38Z")
Ya know, I would say I have a much broader view of what constitues acceptable human behavoir than most people. i’m pretty damn broad. But not flushing??? If you consider the amount of effort it takes (next to none) and the effect of the next person (ewwwwwwwww!!!) well someone who would do that shouldn’t be trusted to do anything. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/22 "2003-01-17T07:29:35Z")
If it’s brown, flush it down. If it’s yellow, let it mellow. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/23 "2003-01-17T08:11:58Z")
So, if someone has an advanced case of hepatitis, is it okay to not flush? ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/24 "2003-01-17T09:21:48Z")
I was taking care of business in the stall one day, and I could feel a particularly air-charged mass buildup that I knew was gonna make a lot of noise when I released it, so I was kind of waiting for someone to flush a toilet, or considering if I should do a courtesy flush myself to mask the noise, when I noticed this butthead in the next stall is talking on his cell phone. I just thought that was the weirdest thing, so I decided to have a little fun with the guy, and opened the bomb-bay doors, emitting an impressive cacophony. I then heard the guy in the next stall talking into his phone in an agitated voice “That _wasn’t_ me!”. Priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Consuela\_Bobuela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Consuela\_Bobuela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consuela_Bobuela)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/25 "2003-01-17T10:23:24Z")
I trust no one when using public restrooms. I use the paper towels to turn off the water faucets when I complete the hand washing process. I then take extra towels to use on the doorknob when leaving. If there is only an air dryer, I use kleenex from my purse. My husband calls me anal. Maybe, but I get a lot less colds than he does. Jamie ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/26 "2003-01-17T12:34:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nightime \* > \*\*This is why I only touch the doorknob with a paper towel over my hand. Also I’ve found you can open most doors with your arm pit or your elbow turning the handle combined with pushing them with your feet, so you never have to use your hands. \*\* > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Consuela Bobuela_ > **I trust no one when using public restrooms. I use the paper towels to turn off the water faucets when I complete the hand washing process. I then take extra towels to use on the doorknob when leaving. If there is only an air dryer, I use kleenex from my purse.** See … this cracks me up. Why don’t you just suit up in a full protective rubber suit with gloves and a respirator before entering the bathroom? I’m polite and always flush the toilet. And I wouldn’t dream of disturbing a good shit with a phone call (and yes I agree that that would be rude of me anyway). I wash my hands after I go to the bathroom. It makes me feel a little better about myself. But I also realize that a bathroom is not the only place a germ lives. And I’m not afraid of the little fuckers. You know what I do in the bathroom? I flush the toilet, turn on the faucets and open the door with my tongue. I slurp all the juicy germs I can and digest them into submission. People who freak out over germs to the extent that they refuse to touch anything within 50 feet of a bathroom are suffering from dibilitating neuroses, if you ask me. I’m not dead, and I don’t get sick anymore than anyone else I know. My immune system is used to germs. It has a fighting chance. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/27 "2003-01-17T13:12:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*See … this cracks me up. Why don’t you just suit up in a full protective rubber suit with gloves and a respirator before entering the bathroom? > > People who freak out over germs to the extent that they refuse to touch anything within 50 feet of a bathroom are suffering from dibilitating neuroses, if you ask me. > \*\* I don’t freak out over germs. But because I’m often on a college campus and I have observed a large number of students not washing their hands after using the restrooms, I open doors when leaving with a paper towel. I flush, open the stall, and turn on the water, then reach over and prepare some paper towels. Then I wash my hands with soap, rinse, take the paper towel to dry my hands, turn off the faucet and open the door. It’s my preference, and I have cut down on the number of colds/illnesses I got since I started doing it. Just my personal preference, I suppose - think I’m a freak if you will. No matter to me. ---
**Author:** ![Sejal\_Traurig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Sejal\_Traurig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sejal_Traurig)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/28 "2003-01-17T14:19:40Z")
Maybe of Jack Batty had read a couple Robin Cook novels, he would be more careful regarding germs as well… ---
**Author:** ![Siemsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Siemsi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siemsi)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/29 "2003-01-17T14:37:43Z")
That is just plain nasty. Vile. Disgusting. Humans amaze me. Filthy creature. How much effort does it take to fucking wash your hands?!??!?! I mean, really, this is 2003. _ **smacks head** _\*\*\*\* Morons. Clueless morons. I, too, have a hard time shaking hands with strangers. I now, find myself paranoid of getting germs they may be transmitting to me. Now, I immediately wash my hands after shaking hands with anyone! ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/30 "2003-01-17T15:19:16Z")
Heh. **Binarydrone** should’ve run after him and said (making sure to speak loudly into the mouthpiece of the guy’s cell phone) "Sir! SIRRRR! YOU FORGOT TO FLUSH! And if I may say so myself, I’m glad you did–one of those bad boys bears an uncanny resemblance to JAWS! Come look! Oh, and you might also want to wash your hands before you leave–here, I’ll hold your phone for you . . . " Just an idea. I did once date a guy who, if he was out drinking and had a couple too many, would yell “Come back here and WASH YOUR HANDS!” if he spotted a similar transgression while using the facilities in the establishment. A few times it worked; a few others, it got him into some trouble. ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/31 "2003-01-17T15:21:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Consuela Bobuela \* > \*\*I trust no one when using public restrooms. I use the paper towels to turn off the water faucets when I complete the hand washing process. I then take extra towels to use on the doorknob when leaving. If there is only an air dryer, I use kleenex from my purse. > My husband calls me anal. Maybe, but I get a lot less colds than he does. > \*\* Maybe it’s a Kansas thing–my mom does the same thing! Hey, where y’at in Kansas? I’m in Topeka . . . ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/32 "2003-01-17T17:17:37Z")
I like **auntie em** ’s idea. Or, if you’re uncomfortable being that confrontational, you could simply fish the turd out of the toilet, run after him and throw it at him. Of course, then all of a sudden, _you’re_ the one who’s crazy. Truly, this is a fucked-up world we live in. ---
**Author:** ![CRorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CRorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRorex)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/33 "2003-01-17T17:20:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nightime \* > \*\*This is why I only touch the doorknob with a paper towel over my hand. Also I’ve found you can open most doors with your arm pit or your elbow turning the handle combined with pushing them with your feet, so you never have to use your hands. \*\* Yeah because that papertowel is really an impermiable biological shield. :dubious: It’s scarier when you see VIROLOGISTS and MICROBIOLOGISTS who don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Consuela\_Bobuela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Consuela\_Bobuela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consuela_Bobuela)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/34 "2003-01-17T17:31:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by auntie em \* > \*\*Maybe it’s a Kansas thing–my mom does the same thing! Hey, where y’at in Kansas? I’m in Topeka . . . \*\* Hey Auntie, I’m in Wichita and I’ve only been to Topeka once. And, of course, mothers know best…don’t they? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![wikkidpis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f05b48/32.png) [@wikkidpis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wikkidpis)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/35 "2003-01-17T17:35:24Z")
Yale graduate & Harvard graduate go into the men’s room to take a leak. The Yalie finishes first and heads for the door. Harvard guy says, “at Haa-vaad, they taught us to wash ah hands aftah using the rest room”. Yale guy replies, “at Yale they taught us not to piss on our hands”. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/36 "2003-01-17T17:37:14Z")
There’s a lady who works on the same floor as me (but not for the same company). She NEVER washes her hands after using the bathroom. We call her “the lady who doesn’t wash her hands”. I think she’s disgusting. It’s just the thought. NOTE: People DO notice. And care. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/37 "2003-01-17T17:39:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Siemsi \* > \*\*That is just plain nasty. Vile. Disgusting. > > Humans amaze me. Filthy creature. > > I, too, have a hard time shaking hands with strangers. > > I now, find myself paranoid of getting germs they may be transmitting to me. Now, I immediately wash my hands after shaking hands with anyone! \*\* I agree the guy in the OP was incredibly rude. I always wash my hands after I go to the can as I hope everyone would. HOWEVER, holy jebuz fuck! With how people are in this thread, it’s absolutely amazing that humanity has even survived as long as it has! Don’t even _think_ about where your dog (or cats) tongue has been before it licked your hand or \ face… ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/38 "2003-01-17T17:54:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Consuela Bobuela \* > \*\*Hey Auntie, > I’m in Wichita and I’ve only been to Topeka once. And, of course, mothers know best…don’t they? :dubious: \*\* Oh, yeah. My mom’s full of it. Knowledge, that is. 😃 I don’t think I’ve been to Wichita since I was a kid. But hey, if you’re ever up this way again . . . Come use my restroom or something. I provide soap AND a hand towel. Nothing’s too good. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@pipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pipper)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/39 "2003-01-17T19:00:05Z")
Side note to the Howard Hughesian, germ-a-phobe fucknut that works on my floor: I can look past your neuroses that prohibits you from touching the bathroom door handle on your way out. HOWEVER, once the paper towel has fulfilled its purpose in insulating you from the big bad germs it is NOT COOL to just drop said paper towel on the floor by the door in the hopes that someone else will clean up after your mess. It is especially not cool in that you apparently obsessively wash your hands and by the end of the day everyone else has to wade through a pile of your discarded towels. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093/40 "2003-01-17T19:27:48Z")
According to the janitors at the middle school where my husband teaches, a single package of soap lasts the whole year in the boys’ bathroom. The boys use that little soap. Ew. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-fail-to-wash-your-hands-after-using-the-bathroom-you-may-as-well-take-a-crap/149093.md?page=3)