Why don't guys wash their hands after going to the bathroom?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the behavior of men regarding handwashing after using the bathroom, exploring social norms, hygiene practices, and personal anecdotes. Participants share their observations and experiences, questioning the reasons behind the lack of handwashing among some men and discussing the implications for public health and personal hygiene.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that a significant number of men do not wash their hands after using the bathroom, raising concerns about hygiene in public spaces.
  • Others argue that the issue is not limited to men, citing observations of similar behavior among women.
  • A participant expresses frustration over individuals who do not wash their hands and then touch public surfaces, suggesting that this behavior contributes to the spread of germs.
  • Some participants discuss the idea that touching one's genitals does not necessarily dirty the hands as much as touching other surfaces, leading to differing views on the necessity of washing hands after urination.
  • There are mentions of studies indicating a lower percentage of men washing their hands compared to women in public restrooms, highlighting a potential public health concern.
  • Several participants share personal hygiene practices, such as using hand sanitizer or specific techniques to avoid touching dirty surfaces after using the restroom.
  • Humorous anecdotes and jokes about the topic are shared, reflecting a mix of seriousness and levity in the discussion.
  • Some participants express indifference towards the issue, suggesting that worrying excessively about germs may be irrational.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reveals multiple competing views regarding the necessity and frequency of handwashing after using the bathroom. While some participants advocate for strict hygiene practices, others downplay the importance, leading to an unresolved debate on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about hygiene, the nature of germs, and the social implications of handwashing behavior. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and cultural attitudes towards cleanliness.

gravenewworld
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Alright, 95% of you guys on here probably do wash your hands after going to the bathroom since most of you on here are smarter than the average Joe. But any guy can attest to the fact that there are tons of men who simply don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom (simply washing with water doesn't count). Why is this? Nothing is worse than seeing some dude who takes a number 2 at a restaurant bathroom, walks right out not washing his hands, and then sits back down at his table to eat his sandwich.
 
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I've actually observed a fairly equal ratio among women. Oprah Winfrey even did a segment on it. *throws confetti*
 
It pisses me off the most when they don't wash their hands and then open the door with them. Then I hate to use a paper towel to open the door. People don't want to wash their hands? Chop them off.
 
I always wash my hands after numero dos, but often only fully wash my hands with soap after urinating when in public places.

Fact is, when us guys touch our penises with our hands, we're getting the penis dirty, not the hands. There are germs/bacteria on the penis, but not as much as on the hands, since we don't go around touching everything with our penises.
 
chasely said:
I always wash my hands after numero dos, but often only fully wash my hands with soap after urinating when in public places.

Fact is, when us guys touch our penises with our hands, we're getting the penis dirty, not the hands. There are germs/bacteria on the penis, but not as much as on the hands, since we don't go around touching everything with our penises.

Yeah but what about that bathroom entrance or stall door? What about the handle on the urinal? If you only wash with water, what about that faucet handle? Those are all breeding grounds for disease.
 
Whats great are the eruo bars/clubs around here that have a common mens/womens room. So half the stalls are men half are women. When you close the door its 100% private. I don't like the idea becasue then your washing your hands at the sink with both men and women and its not private to one sex only.
 
gravenewworld said:
Yeah but what about that bathroom entrance or stall door? What about the handle on the urinal? If you only wash with water, what about that faucet handle? Those are all breeding grounds for disease.

That's true, but that stuff gets everywhere. I believe I saw on Mythbusters (not the most credible source I know) that fecal coliforms grow on pretty much every surface, including toothbrushes, but not in levels high enough to be problematic.

I'm more concerned about my job. I work at a computer lab on campus, and I make sure to use hand sanitizers a couple times per shift to keep the bugs away.
 
gravenewworld said:
Yeah but what about that bathroom entrance or stall door? What about the handle on the urinal? If you only wash with water, what about that faucet handle? Those are all breeding grounds for disease.

I use hand cleaning paper. I don't care much when at home but feel sick going to public.


http://alotaboutnothing.com/category/education

According to a study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and The Soap and Detergent Association, 88 per cent of women washed their hands in public restrooms, compared to just 66 per cent of the guys. Can you believe that? 1 out of every 3 men you shake hands with don’t wash their hands after using the washroom! That is exactly one of the reasons I always keep some instant hand sanitizer at my desk.

The study also outed some liars: 92% of people say they wash their hands in public restrooms, but only 77% were actually observed doing so. That’s just nasty.
 
Last edited:
An Air force Airman and a Navy Seaman are both using the urinals. The Airman finishes and begins to wash his hands. The Seaman finishes and heads directly out the door. "In the Air Force they teach us to wash our hands after using the restroom." The airman calls out. The Seaman responds, "In the Navy they teach us not to piss on ourselves."

Seriously though, health urine is sterile. I do wash my hands after using the restroom, but I don't worry too much about the door handle.

P.S. Kitchens are breeding grounds for diseases, so are hospitals and supermarkets, and daycares. It's really not worth worrying about.
 
  • #10
chayced said:
Seriously though, health urine is sterile.
Sure, for about 10 seconds. Then it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which you then wipe all over everything...

(Eww eww. My post is right next to chayced's. )


[EDIT] Agh! I'm surrounded! I'm the meat in a bacteria sandwich![/EDIT]
 
  • #11
Urine is also a good fertilizer (due to urea), so start saving it for your plants! :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
Gee, can't people learn to keep their hands dry when using their own equipment?
 
  • #13
People, I'm a guy so I know!

Either they truly don't get it, I mean germs, or it is a protest, or they are in a hurry.

Now I suppose there could be some very deep psychological problem. But there you have it!

Guys are human, oh wait! they could be a slob.

However, Who really knows in the universe of possibility.

Sorry, I wax and wane in wine while pondering this age old question, Why do men not wash their hands after using the bathroom?

They just don't get it!
 
  • #14
Perspectives said:
They just don't get it!

Probably the same sociopaths that leave the toilet seats up?
 
  • #15
What don't guys get about germs?
 
  • #16
chasely said:
What don't guys get about germs?

That there are more germs on the wet sinks, soap dispensers and towels than there are on your clean penis or the cold dry metal door handles.

ps. How do you tell an organic chemist? They wash their hands before going to the toilet! As do cooks in curry restaurants.
 
  • #17
Yeah, well the cooks have a damn good reason.
 
  • #18
mgb_phys said:
That there are more germs on the wet sinks, soap dispensers and towels than there are on your clean penis or the cold dry metal door handles.

ps. How do you tell an organic chemist? They wash their hands before going to the toilet! As do cooks in curry restaurants.

After I use the bathroom, I go to the sink and turn on the water with the tip of my finger. Then I use soap (most soap dispensers are IR) and wash my hands. BUT, I unroll the towells before I wash my hands. That way when I'm done washing my hands I don't have to pull the lever down that other people have touched with my clean hands. Then I dry my hands and use that towel to open the door if its a pull not push door. If there isn't a trash can near the door when I leave too bad, I hold the door open with food and shoot the balled up paper towel at the trash can like a basketball. If I make it cool, if not - not my problem.
 
  • #19
It doesn't freak me out that bad. Although, I do open the door with my pinky finger to avoid touching a dirty door handle.

I wouldn't freak out about it though.
 
  • #20
Cyrus said:
If I make it cool, if not - not my problem.

So you're the idiot throwing paper all over the floor! :mad:
 
  • #21
I use my elbow on the towel dispenser. The door is the trickiest part. Strong pinkies are a good thing to have.
 
  • #22
JasonRox said:
So you're the idiot throwing paper all over the floor! :mad:

AHAHAHAh, guilty as charged! :biggrin:

Hey hey hey...I usually make it in!.....usually... :rolleyes:
 
  • #23
Cyrus said:
AHAHAHAh, guilty as charged! :biggrin:

Hey hey hey...I usually make it in!.....usually... :rolleyes:

Definitely not if it's one those garbages built into the wall.
 
  • #24
I really don't care. What's your problem? If people do not wash their hands, may he have them cut off? What if all they touched was the door handle? Be sensible and rational, not obsessive and compulsive.
 
  • #25
Cyrus said:
After I use the bathroom, I go to the sink and turn on the water with the tip of my finger. Then I use soap (most soap dispensers are IR) and wash my hands. BUT, I unroll the towells before I wash my hands. That way when I'm done washing my hands I don't have to pull the lever down that other people have touched with my clean hands. Then I dry my hands and use that towel to open the door if its a pull not push door. If there isn't a trash can near the door when I leave too bad, I hold the door open with food and shoot the balled up paper towel at the trash can like a basketball. If I make it cool, if not - not my problem.

Ha. I do the same exact thing. Take all the paper towels that you will need out before you start washing your hands. Wash hands. Turn off sink with clean paper towel. Dry off hands. Use paper towel to open door. Throw away if trash can is near. If no trash can close, shoot for it.
 
  • #26
JasonRox said:
Definitely not if it's one those garbages built into the wall.

Ah, but the one bathroom like that on campus is a PUSH door. So I can kick it open with my foot! So I don't have to shoot the J.
 
  • #27
You all are cowards. I push the door open with the hand holding the sandwich. Set the sandwich on the back of the toilet while I pee and if a pickle falls on the floor I'll pick it up and throw it away, unless no one else is looking.
 
  • #28
Germs are absolutely everywhere. There are probably far more germs in common areas outside the restroom (and outside your pants... I hope) than you can imagine. At my current job I use communal areas and restrooms all the time and only maybe will I get sick once a year, probably mainly due to stress and lack of sleep. Back when I worked in retail establishments, especially ones handling money, I would get sick maybe twice a year.
 
  • #29
It's called building up your immune system. The more small amounts of germs you let be introduced to your system, the stronger your immune system becomes as it fights off the baddies. You're probably putting yourself at more risk of disease by keeping everything super clean. I'm with tribdog on this one :approve:

10 second rule:
If a piece of food falls on the floor, it is still edible for the next ten seconds
5 second rule:
The same as before, but applies for outside and personal bathroom floors
1 second rule:
The same as before, but applies for public area floors

I get sick for a couple of days about once a year.
 
  • #30
Cyrus said:
Ah, but the one bathroom like that on campus is a PUSH door.
This occurred to me too. If all bathrooms had doors that opened outward, we wouldn't have to run the gauntlet of the door handle.

redargon said:
You're probably putting yourself at more risk of disease by keeping everything super clean.
Certainly. Super clean is just as bad. There was a wave of antibacterial soap products. I avoid them.
 

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