Restroom Doors

[wdfifteen]

I'm cautious about germs in public restrooms. Most of the ones I've been to have a door that opens in, so you can enter without touching the door with your hands, but have to grab a handle to open the door before you go back to your table to eat. Is there any reason they don't make the doors open out, so you use the handle when you go in, and just push with an elbow or whatever when you leave?

[KFC911]

If the doors push out, I use my elbow/arm and don't push on the "plate"...if it's a handle, I use the paper towel that I've just wiped my hands with. I'm not a germaphobe, but that bathroom door has GOT to be one of the filthiest things you'd ever want to touch imo...

[GDNF2ET]

If the door closure is outside, I'll grab the arm and open the door..

[Targa Me]

I understand the concern with germs and all but think about this...

Let's say you use your arm to push the restroom door as you exit, but (lets say you're at a restaurant) the waiter that brings you your silverware or plate or beverage does not use his arm, just uses his hands... you're still getting all germed up.

I see a lot of this at my office. Co-workers use the restroom, wash their hands, then use a paper towel to pull open the door. Then they go to the coffee machine and grab the pot of coffee and the guy who grabbed the coffee pot before him (maybe) didn't wash his hand at all or used his bare hands to open the restroom door.

You do your best to avoid the germs, but they're everywhere.

[vash]

i wouldnt worry about it. i'm certain everyone washes their hands.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by vash

i wouldnt worry about it. i'm certain everyone washes their hands.

I don't. That's why I'm so concerned about getting pee on the door handle.

[widgeon13]

I've encountered swing out doors. I used to just kick them until I kicked one and hit a guy in the nose. Fortunately he was pushing just as I was kicking and it didn't hit him too hard, he actually apologized.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

I understand the concern with germs and all but think about this...

Let's say you use your arm to push the restroom door as you exit, but (lets say you're at a restaurant) the waiter that brings you your silverware or plate or beverage does not use his arm, just uses his hands... you're still getting all germed up.

I see a lot of this at my office. Co-workers use the restroom, wash their hands, then use a paper towel to pull open the door. Then they go to the coffee machine and grab the pot of coffee and the guy who grabbed the coffee pot before him (maybe) didn't wash his hand at all or used his bare hands to open the restroom door.

You do your best to avoid the germs, but they're everywhere.

Originally Posted by vash

i wouldnt worry about it. i'm certain everyone washes their hands.

I do the paper towel thing as well.

In fact I've noticed more and more there is a waste bin next to the door for that exact reason.

Years ago I worked in this small studio.

Every day at lunch I would buy a big bag of popcorn and leave it on my desk and anyone that wanted some was free to help themselves. The first person to do so every day was Billy. He'd dig in with both hands.

The mens room had a sink, 1 urinal, 1 crapper.

One day I go in and the crapper is being used, while I'm doing my business at the urinal I hear the sounds of someone finishing up.

Billy walks out of the crapper, says hi and walks right out of the bathroom bypassing the sink.

I went back to my desk and tossed the last bag of popcorn I ever bought while working there.

When people enquired why no more popcorn I just responded, "you're better off not knowing"

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't. That's why I'm so concerned about getting pee on the door handle.

Poppi is that you?

(Seinfield reference...I think I got the name right)

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

I do the paper towel thing as well.

^this

Billy walks out of the crapper, says hi and walks right out of the bathroom bypassing the sink.

We have a few 'Billy' types in our office as well. I worked in a machine shop while in high school with a Billy named Di Tran. He always insisted on inspecting (touching) every darn doughnut in the box. Had to be quick with the snacks before Di gets his go.

[Baz]

Sometimes you get lucky and someone will the door right before you - you use the old shoulder trick and get through before getting any of those cooties!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by vash

i wouldnt worry about it. i'm certain everyone washes their hands.

When out in public I wash my hands before and after.

Started washing before after hearing a story about Don King.

A guy walks into a bathroom and Don King is using the urinal.

Don finishes up and starts to leave.

The guy says "you're not going to wash your hands?"

Don replies, "son, I wash my hands BEFORE I touch my dick"

When you think about it, it makes sense.

[TheRedSlantnose]

I agree, it'd be much more convenient to push the door out so you wouldn't have to touch it with your hands you just washed, but those doors I rarely see. In addition to what widgeon13 said, it's most likely the doors swing in instead of out so that people walking to the bathroom don't get hit. You can do what I do by grabbing an extra paper towel to open the door with after washing and drying your hands, or if you're quick enough, you can stop the door with your foot just after someone else leaves.

[GH85Carrera]

If you look around online you will find a list of the places with the most germs. Usually the kitchen sponge it at the top. I saw a thread once about people that get their jollies by masturbating or having sex and then deliberately NOT washing their hands and going out to touch everything possible.

In the end your immune system needs to be tough. As a kid my mom was always yelling at my brother and I to wash our hands. We would get out hands wet and that is about it. We survived and my immune system is tough.

Public bathrooms are almost always gross. I use common sense and paper towels are way better than the stupid germ blowers.

[stomachmonkey]

One other thing for my fellow germophobes.

If it's a faucet with knobs use the paper towel to turn it off.

Faucet knob is the first thing that gets touched after business is concluded.

[island911]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I'm cautious about germs in public restrooms. Most of the ones I've been to have a door that opens in, so you can enter without touching the door with your hands, but have to grab a handle to open the door before you go back to your table to eat. Is there any reason they don't make the doors open out, so you use the handle when you go in, and just push with an elbow or whatever when you leave?

Yes. Yes there is a reason. Management like to tease germaphobes.

Seriously, around these parts, foot-handles are being put on such doors. -an upward facing cleat attached to the bottom of the door.

Hey, you must really love those WCs with those Dyson germ aerosolizers (and no paper towles)

[gacook]

I guess I'm in the minority here; I could care less about germs. I have an extremely strong immune system, apparently, as I get sick maybe once every 5 years or so. I've also been in some seriously nasty places during my stint in the Army and worked many "dirty" jobs as a youth, so a little bit of dirt/germs doesn't bother me. When I'm working on a car, if my wife happens to be in a good mood and brings me a sandwich, I eat it...along with the grease/gunk that transfers from my dirty hands to the bread.

[manonmasi]

As far as the door swing in or out it may have something to do with ADA code, and then again who ever designed the facility just didn't give it any thought.

[Tobra]

The door not swinging out is so people don't get hit in the face with the door.

I don't worry about the rest of it too much. My immune system is torture tested and plenty stout.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by gacook

..... When I'm working on a car, if my wife happens to be in a good mood and brings me a sandwich, I eat it...along with the grease/gunk that transfers from my dirty hands to the bread.

I'd do the same....if I had a wife that is . Not a 'phobe, but I'm sure washing my hands after a bathroom trip and that door is the only one I really pay any attention to. A long time ex-g/f was a nurse, and man was she a 'phobe (MRSA, etc.). She'd avoid touching door knobs, handrails, etc. and risk breaking her neck walking down steps before touching anything....all while working in an environment that'd keep a germaphobe up at night...I didn't get it either