On further review of the thread, I really, really missed that. What was being asked and asserted went by me completely. I really, really regret that. And I do apologize.
Upon further review I was being a bit of an asshole to you QtM and would like to apologise likewise.
gasps in disbelief
You mean there’s a human on the other side of this thing?!?!
Umm…yes?
Whichever side of this debate one is on, that ceremonial pause at the sink is fooling no one. Besides, your wasting paper.
Peace,
mangeorge (Who wants hugs too)
mangeorge I would then assume that you use a bidet and do not waste paper by wiping your ass no? =)
I’ll describe “Ceremonial pause at the sink” for you, wiseass. 
You go to the urinal (or toilet, if you’re one of those), pull it out, piss, close up, go to the sink, turn on the water briefly but don’t wash, then use paper towels to dry your already dry hands. Hence the “waste”.
They don’t let us have bidets over here. They’re french, you know.
My favorite MAD magazine Don Martin cartoon:
The big dumb guy reads the instruction on the towel dispenser:
“Pull Down Tear Up”
He then proceeds to do just that.
I like bidets. They’re just so damn civilized.
Especially the ones with the warm air dryers.
Yeah, but every time an american uses one Bill O’Reilly gets a ringing sound in his ears.
I’m probably not going to be able to find the cite I want, but I heard recently (within a year, I think on NPR) of a study wherein they looked for germs on hard surfaces in public bathrooms. They found surprisingly few. Restroom door handles were very clean. Here is one cite (not a great one I grant) that apparently read the same study.
Here is another article that is apparently based on the same study I heard on NPR (or wherever).
*Human Resources Report, BNA, Vol. 20, No. 17, April 29, 2002 *
Here is a dissenting study, which apparently placed telephones and paper money in the same boat. (and does anybody pull those bills out of your wallet with a paper towel?? Ok, I imagine somebody does)
alterego -
Consider this: exposure to a potentially pathogenic bacterial strain does not automatically create a sickness. Sickness occurs when, due to some factor or combination of factors, a pathogen or its products manages to temporarily overcome or bypass incredibly elaborate systems of physical, immunological and cellular defensive mechanisms designed to prevent illness.
Considering the sophistication of these systems, sickness due to bugs that might be normal or tolerated by others happens “all the time” - many times a year in most people. It’s so common that it often passes unremarked. Some people are more seriously affected, some are mildly but chronically afflicted. Some rarely affected, but many people who believe they are unaffected don’t realize that they could be feeling much better until a change of habits or situation brings about a sudden improvement - which is often misattributed.
In any case, it’s hardly polite to play Russian Roulette with the health of others. You never know when the next guy or gal might be vulnerable, even temporarily. Ideally, we’d all return the favor.
Sorry… didn’t see the “page 2” indicator until after I hit “send”.
My remark seems out of place. I apologize
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”
This is the reason why I wash my hands. I do not like to touch things that have touched genitals. Therefore, I assume that other people do not like it either. At least a sufficiently large portion of them for it to be valid reasoning.
There are other reasons, too, such as the fact that - like most animals with fingers - I usually insert my fingers into my nose and mouth several times during the day. I do not want to have my crotch flavors in my mouth and my nose.
You are entirely correct, my little muffin.
We call them ** Freedom Fountains** around these parts.
The beret is also of french origin. Ironic, isn’t it, that they’re worn proudly by troops of the US Army? :o
Guess we better start calling them “Freedom Caps”.
BTW; pardon me ma’am if I talk kinda funny. I’ve been in Dallas for a couple of days.
Touché.
Um this colum was cited on page one in the 4th reply post. Most of the questions raised were covered there and I spent a lot of my reading here seriously confused by why no one seemed to notice that link.
Also QtM had some good reading!
Just wash your hands 
Lemme just get this straight, ok?
**Q.T.M. ** DOES think we should wash our hands???
Ok. Thanks. Whew. Sometimes the truth is SO muddled.