A Lesson from my Childhood

Dont pick your boogers.  Look both ways before crossing the street.  Always say "please" and "thank you".  Blow your nose.  Brush your teeth.  And always, wash your hands after going to the bathroom.  Yep.  I was taught all of those things as a young child.  And these rules didn't seem that hard to learn really.  However, I am more and more amazed every day how many people I see leave the restroom without washing their hands.  These people somehow feel it is appropriate to then shake hands with other people, return to their restaurant table, or spread their "crud" all throughout the office. But the question is, 'Why don't people wash their hands?  Personally, I don't get it.

I think the biggest reason that people don't wash their hands is they simply are lazy. Studies show that when short on time, and there is no one around, it is amazingly easy to let laziness take over. Some people failing to wash their hands after taking a bathroom siesta simply don't feel like taking the time to get their hands wet and soapy. They may be in a hurry to continue on with the rest of their day. And if there is no one in the restroom to offer the Evil Eye, a quick dash out of the bathroom is an easy option. Quite simply, it is easier to not do something and say that you did---than to actually do it. 

The other reason that I think people don't wash their hands after wiping their rear end is that they have a lack of respect for others.  If they spread their germs, who cares?  After all, it's their germs.  They seemingly think they can't get sick from their own germs.  But these lazy, disrespectful people fail to think in-depth about hand washing.  What if the other guy didn't wash his hands either?  One man responding to an online survey admitted that he didn't wash his hands after urinating in public restrooms because "the only thing he touched was himself." He further went on to explain that had he actually touched the urinal itself, any other surfaces, or any bodily fluids especially, he would have promptly washed his hands.  What I don't understand is, why does this guy think I want to shake his hand after he touches himself?  Jerk!

So, with 80% of all infectious diseases being transferred by touch, I am thinking that the Chinese may be on to something.  I think a little bow with your own hands in the "prayer" position may not be such a bad idea after all.