What's with the washing?
August 25, 2010 9:43 AM Subscribe
Bathroom Filter: Have I missed something my whole life or is this as weird as I think it is?
Do any Mefites regularly wash your hands BEFORE going to the bathroom?
Where I work it seems like about 1/3 of guys I see in the bathroom wash up before the act (after as well but that one I am familiar with).
I work in a completely average and normal downtown highrise, unremarkable white-collar peoples, I see no reason to scrub up pre-go.
Do any Mefites regularly wash your hands BEFORE going to the bathroom?
Where I work it seems like about 1/3 of guys I see in the bathroom wash up before the act (after as well but that one I am familiar with).
I work in a completely average and normal downtown highrise, unremarkable white-collar peoples, I see no reason to scrub up pre-go.
I see it in my office too occasionally. Everyone here is a desk jockey, so it's not like they're handling heavy metals pre-bathroom break. I don't really get it either, but whatever.
posted by Skot at 9:47 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Skot at 9:47 AM on August 25, 2010
Well as a woman, I wash my hands pre-bathroom if i'm going to be dealing with inserting a tampon, especially one of the non-applicator variety. I'm a desk jockey, but who knows what's on my finger from all those door handles and railings. I don't want to find out by getting a bacterial infection in my vag.
posted by WeekendJen at 9:49 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by WeekendJen at 9:49 AM on August 25, 2010
Response by poster: I thought of the "your hands are dirtier than your junk" arguement before as well, and I agree that it's likely correct however that seems way too logical an opinion for 30% of the guys in my office to have individually come to.
posted by Cosine at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Cosine at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010
I also wash them after, just to be clear.
posted by WeekendJen at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by WeekendJen at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010
Maybe it's a way to waste company time, or simply have a bit more private time alone. Since you were in the bathroom, maybe they have space issues and try and wait for you to finish your business before they hit the urinal/stall. Just some theories...
posted by glenno86 at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by glenno86 at 9:50 AM on August 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: glenn0: I thought of that exact reasoning but the vast majority of these occurances happen when I am stalled and alone when they enter, which is why I never see who they are (and therefor cannot make any cultural observations).
posted by Cosine at 9:57 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Cosine at 9:57 AM on August 25, 2010
Perhaps they go in to just wash their hands but some sort of pavlovian response kicks in, causing the need to pee. Then they have to wash their hands again.
Just be happy they're washing their hands. Most of the people in my office building don't seem too concerned with washing their hands at all.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:58 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Just be happy they're washing their hands. Most of the people in my office building don't seem too concerned with washing their hands at all.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:58 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Maybe one guy started doing it, and the rest of them just copied him thinking it was part of the bathroom culture in your office.
People are weird in the bathroom and tend to mimic each other's behavior in there, I've noticed. For example, in my office no one ever comes out of their stall if someone else is in the bathroom but not in a stall. If two people are each in a stall and one person flushes, that's means the person who flushed gets to come out, wash her hands, dry them and leave before the other person gets to come out of her stall. The only exception to this is when there's a queue to use the toilets. And there's one woman out of about 30 in the office who doesn't follow this, but she's quite strange in other ways, too.
posted by hazyjane at 9:58 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
People are weird in the bathroom and tend to mimic each other's behavior in there, I've noticed. For example, in my office no one ever comes out of their stall if someone else is in the bathroom but not in a stall. If two people are each in a stall and one person flushes, that's means the person who flushed gets to come out, wash her hands, dry them and leave before the other person gets to come out of her stall. The only exception to this is when there's a queue to use the toilets. And there's one woman out of about 30 in the office who doesn't follow this, but she's quite strange in other ways, too.
posted by hazyjane at 9:58 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Your hands interact with more unknowns than your genitals. Washing your hands before touching your genitals makes perfect sense to me.
posted by hworth at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by hworth at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
I wash my hands before using the bathroom if I've been eating something with hot sauce on it. You only need to make THAT mistake once, let me tell you.
posted by KathrynT at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [7 favorites]
As a scientist you see that sort of thing VERY often after working in a lab all day. Gloves or not after spending 3 hours working with sulfuric acid you better believe I am giving the hands a extra pre-rinse before I touch anything down there :)
posted by Captain_Science at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Captain_Science at 9:59 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
For some reason, I can't stand having even slightly sweaty, sticky hands when working with a keyboard/mouse. Very often, I go into the bathroom *just* to wash my hands. And when I'm there with the flowing water, I sometimes get the urge to go. I didn't plan on it when I walked in.
Then, of course, I have to wash my hands again ...
Perhaps you're seeing something similar?
This doesn't make me crazy, does it?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:03 AM on August 25, 2010
Then, of course, I have to wash my hands again ...
Perhaps you're seeing something similar?
This doesn't make me crazy, does it?
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:03 AM on August 25, 2010
Is there a chance they just ate lunch or some form of snack? I often find myself heading to the bathroom right after lunch and often want to wash the foodstuffs off before touching my clothes or my junk.
posted by jameslavelle3 at 10:19 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by jameslavelle3 at 10:19 AM on August 25, 2010
I wonder...are they using hot water? Because I could see the point if they just wanted to warm things up a little.
posted by Ys at 10:21 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Ys at 10:21 AM on August 25, 2010
Seconding Captain_Science - do you work in a lab or research facility where people may be handling hazardous materials? It's really common in places like that.
posted by chrisamiller at 10:37 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by chrisamiller at 10:37 AM on August 25, 2010
Short answer: It's a sign of the times, just like the overuse of antibacterial soap and latex gloves.
Remember going to the dentist when you were a kid? Did the dentist wear any protective gloves? Mine sure didn't. Not, the whole damn room is practically plastic wrapped. There's even plastic covering the handles used to raise and lower the dental lamp, not to mention a protective (and sanitized) keyboard cover.
I've always washed my hands when exiting a restroom, but more and more, I'm seeing signs posted in restrooms at restaurants and pubs telling employees to wash their hands before and after. I have to admit, it makes sense.
A hundred years from now, people will probably be custom plastic wrapped and we won't actually ever touch anything.
posted by 2oh1 at 10:38 AM on August 25, 2010
Remember going to the dentist when you were a kid? Did the dentist wear any protective gloves? Mine sure didn't. Not, the whole damn room is practically plastic wrapped. There's even plastic covering the handles used to raise and lower the dental lamp, not to mention a protective (and sanitized) keyboard cover.
I've always washed my hands when exiting a restroom, but more and more, I'm seeing signs posted in restrooms at restaurants and pubs telling employees to wash their hands before and after. I have to admit, it makes sense.
A hundred years from now, people will probably be custom plastic wrapped and we won't actually ever touch anything.
posted by 2oh1 at 10:38 AM on August 25, 2010
maybe they're uncircumsized and taking extra precaution against any bacteria, just in case, as i would if i was going to be handling a tampon.
posted by alice ayres at 10:44 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by alice ayres at 10:44 AM on August 25, 2010
Maybe they have a shy bladder and hand-wash as a stalling tactic, waiting for you to leave?
posted by Laen at 11:12 AM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Laen at 11:12 AM on August 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
I have seen guys grab a paper towel and use it to hold their dicks with so that they don't have to bother washing their hands. There's all sorts of ways to do these things.
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:16 AM on August 25, 2010
posted by Devils Rancher at 11:16 AM on August 25, 2010
Do any Mefites regularly wash your hands BEFORE going to the bathroom?
Yes, I pretty routinely wash my hands before and after using a toilet. Not if I'm home, but if I'm at school, at the library, at work, or out running errands --- basically, if I'm anywhere where my hands are likely to have been in regular or prolonged contact with something shared, like a computer keyboard or a grocery cart or a subway staircase railing.
I picked up the habit in college, where I noticed that many of my fellow students exited the bathroom stalls, did not wash their hands, and returned to the computer lab to use the (shared public) computers. After noticing this, I became more vigilant about washing my hands before I ate, before I touched my face (especially my contact lenses), and before I touched any other, um, sensitive areas.
posted by Elsa at 11:19 AM on August 25, 2010
Yes, I pretty routinely wash my hands before and after using a toilet. Not if I'm home, but if I'm at school, at the library, at work, or out running errands --- basically, if I'm anywhere where my hands are likely to have been in regular or prolonged contact with something shared, like a computer keyboard or a grocery cart or a subway staircase railing.
I picked up the habit in college, where I noticed that many of my fellow students exited the bathroom stalls, did not wash their hands, and returned to the computer lab to use the (shared public) computers. After noticing this, I became more vigilant about washing my hands before I ate, before I touched my face (especially my contact lenses), and before I touched any other, um, sensitive areas.
posted by Elsa at 11:19 AM on August 25, 2010
I rinse my hands before, during and after.
posted by the cuban at 11:26 AM on August 25, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by the cuban at 11:26 AM on August 25, 2010 [4 favorites]
During? Wtf?
posted by saradarlin at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by saradarlin at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
I wash my hands before a lot depending on what i am doing. I am a network tech at a library. When I am working on the public machines i wash before because you never know what is on those keyboards. we do try to clean them but still.
posted by majortom1981 at 12:55 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by majortom1981 at 12:55 PM on August 25, 2010
Isn't this like the camp prank where you stick someone's hand in warm water and they suddenly want to pee?
So wouldn't washing your hands in hot water make you want to go too?
posted by Mercaptan at 2:34 PM on August 25, 2010
So wouldn't washing your hands in hot water make you want to go too?
posted by Mercaptan at 2:34 PM on August 25, 2010
I wash my hands first and again after. First for me, after for you.
I work on other people's keyboards a lot. Some of you people have nasty, nasty keyboards and there's no telling what the heck you do on your computers, from eating to nose picking to scratching weird places.
Washing my hands when I enter a restroom (no matter what the reason I'm there) is just kind of a natural reaction, I guess.
I also use hand sanitizer before and after I work on your computer, too, because there's no telling what I've done with my hands either.
posted by disclaimer at 2:37 PM on August 25, 2010
I work on other people's keyboards a lot. Some of you people have nasty, nasty keyboards and there's no telling what the heck you do on your computers, from eating to nose picking to scratching weird places.
Washing my hands when I enter a restroom (no matter what the reason I'm there) is just kind of a natural reaction, I guess.
I also use hand sanitizer before and after I work on your computer, too, because there's no telling what I've done with my hands either.
posted by disclaimer at 2:37 PM on August 25, 2010
Just as a data point, this came up on a House rerun I saw the other day.
House is at the sink in the men's room, washing his hands, when Cuddy storms in and starts berating him about something or other. While they talk, he rinses and dries his hands, then walks over to the urinal and starts unzipping. Cuddy realizes what he's doing and gives him a WTF look.
House says quietly "I wash before and after."
posted by chaff at 2:39 PM on August 25, 2010
House is at the sink in the men's room, washing his hands, when Cuddy storms in and starts berating him about something or other. While they talk, he rinses and dries his hands, then walks over to the urinal and starts unzipping. Cuddy realizes what he's doing and gives him a WTF look.
House says quietly "I wash before and after."
posted by chaff at 2:39 PM on August 25, 2010
I rinse my hands before, during and after.
You must play baseball, then.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:19 PM on August 25, 2010
You must play baseball, then.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:19 PM on August 25, 2010
Wasn't there some myth busters episode that determined that the average office desk has more germs than a toilet seat? I know I heard that somewhere, in which case it makes perfect sense to wash your hands first.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 4:43 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by KateHasQuestions at 4:43 PM on August 25, 2010
I wash before if I've been handling chemicals (work in a lab) or if I've just eaten something and don't want to get chocolate or whatever on my pants.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 4:46 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 4:46 PM on August 25, 2010
It could also be a learned thing. Thirty percent of them have parents who do some kind of work where pre-washing would make sense?
posted by salvia at 5:44 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by salvia at 5:44 PM on August 25, 2010
i wash my hands before and after. being in the bathroom is a small point of peace in a hectic workday on the phone and on my keyboard and it just feels good to start things off with clean and fresh hands. they tend to get dry and sticky after a while in an office environment. i don't even fathom why anyone would bother to think about whether it was weird or not, it's just the way that some people handle their hygiene.
posted by lakersfan1222 at 6:34 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by lakersfan1222 at 6:34 PM on August 25, 2010
Maybe they do it to stall, so to speak, and give you some additional privacy to finish your business?
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 7:15 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 7:15 PM on August 25, 2010
I eat a lot of spicy food. When you do this you wash your hands before you smear capsaicin juice on your wanger.
posted by cmoj at 9:07 PM on August 25, 2010
posted by cmoj at 9:07 PM on August 25, 2010
You only have to transfer tar/acetone/solvent/polyurethane adhesive/ketone/engine degreaser*/stain/red guard/oven cleaner/gasket remover/etc. from your hands to your junk once to form the habit of washing your hands before touching sensitive areas of your body. Many trades people develop this habit.
[*] Holy hand grenade does citrus spray on engine degreaser sting sensitive skin, or so I've heard.
posted by Mitheral at 10:20 PM on August 25, 2010
[*] Holy hand grenade does citrus spray on engine degreaser sting sensitive skin, or so I've heard.
posted by Mitheral at 10:20 PM on August 25, 2010
Computer keyboards are the dirtiest place in a house, and most likely in an office too. This according to a study I read some time ago. The cleanest was the toilet, because the flushing action meant it was the most often cleaned place.
posted by CautionToTheWind at 1:21 AM on August 26, 2010
posted by CautionToTheWind at 1:21 AM on August 26, 2010
I think some of the guys in my office do this to "encourage" urination ... you know, the waterfall effect?
posted by dwbrant at 1:16 PM on August 26, 2010
posted by dwbrant at 1:16 PM on August 26, 2010
I was before (and after). I swear, I could be in a clean room all day and STILL get dirty hands - I think mine attract dirt. I'm not about to bring that dirt near my junk.
So, like disclaimer says, First for me, after for you.
posted by _paegan_ at 9:43 AM on August 27, 2010
So, like disclaimer says, First for me, after for you.
posted by _paegan_ at 9:43 AM on August 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm thinking in stereotypes, but I don't see white collar people as doing the kind of work that would merit this. Unless you're only seeing it right after some people eat lunch.
posted by theichibun at 9:45 AM on August 25, 2010