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Lavatory Losers
By: Patrick Maguire
Book Chapter: Human-to-Human Service
Posted: 06/25/2010
During Game 7 of the Celtics-Lakers series at a restaurant bar, I made a couple of trips to the men’s room. On each occasion while I was washing my hands, guys walked right past the open sink next to me and back to the bar or dining room without washing their hands. After exiting the men’s room, using a paper towel to open the door, I returned to the bar and the usual hand shaking, high fiving and fist bumping ensued. I cringed thinking about the unwashed patrons contacting friends and strangers alike.
I’m no germaphobe, but come on, how can anyone exhibit such bad hygiene? Who are these people? People who don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom are disgusting, and there are a lot of guys who are guilty. I see it happen often, and they have no guilt or shame. How can you possibly come out of a stall, or pull away from a urinal, then walk right by other guests and exit a public bathroom without washing your hands? What should be a basic tenet of co-existing with other humans is not. It’s amazing that more people don’t end up infected as a result of bad hygiene. (A good friend of mine recently ended up in the emergency room after contracting salmonella.)
A few days after the Celtics’ loss, I was in the bathroom at another restaurant where I noticed this mandatory sign displayed on the counter next to the sink:
Theirs
The admonitory reminded me how important it is not just for restaurant employees and food handlers to wash their hands, but also for us public patrons to practice good hygiene with a good scrub.
So, to borrow the lyrics from the old 70’s song , Signs, by the Five Man Electrical Band, I made up my own little sign:
Mine
What are your personal observations and thoughts?
Why do you think some people are so negligent?
Have you ever called anyone out?
Are women as bad as men?
PS- Don’t be offended if you get the fist bump the next time I see you…
34 Responses to “Lavatory Losers”
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Permalink | Posted in Human-to-Human Service | 34 Comments »
Gotta say I love it 😉
I cringed when I saw the title of your post. I feared some really gruesome story. Thank you for sparing us the goriest of details, but, yes, it is disturbing that this simplest of acts is so often overlooked. As so much in your blog so ably points out (and tries to serve as a gentle reminder), when did “common decency” besome so uncommon? P.S. I have come to love hand sanitizer.
Woman are just as bad, if not worse. You should see the mess in the ladies’ room at most places. It’s appalling. No, wait; you do not want to see it. Garbage everywhere, and the toilets —
I was at a popular Cambridge restaurant with my kids a year or two ago when the sous chef (presumably) came in to use the urinal. He used the ever-popular, tuck the apron under the chin technique. We entered the stall, and like magic, he was gone. No flush, no wash.
Patrick… in many instances a pig sty can be cleaner than a womans lavatory. Once I observed a female server exit a lavatory (with her apron on mind you – huge no no!) She went to a buffet, picked up a piece of pizza (with her hands). Platted it and then served it to a guest! I tackled her in between the kitchen and dining room – I was outraged and … promptly reported her! I would have to say the women are the biggest abusers for what reason. I have no clue!
Men are just as bad! Hate it when I see a chef exiting the lavatory, and wiping his hands on his apron. Makes me sick!
LOVE your sign. Yes, I am going to borrow it, because I have never had the audacity to ‘call someone out on this subject matter’!!
I used to work in a Casino and saw literally dozens of people, incl. employees, breeze right out of the loo.
On the other side of this issue, (is there one???) I am still very aware of not using the loo at all, maybe just using the mirror, or the cell phone in a semi-private location, and when people see me leave, they have no idea I am not guilty. So, I have washed my hands to avoid the stigma, LOL.
Anyone else done that?
So … what ‘should’ we do as the situation arises?
What IS the protocol for Calling Someone Out …
And, do you just not return to the premise, or tell management about the UNWASHED Employee? Knowing he/she might be fired.
Is there a protocol for this.??
Its not like being able to say anonomously, Courtesy Flush PLEEEEase. Is it Ha ha ha …
I love your sign, think it should be required everywhere. I occassionally see people not washing but fortunately they are the minority.
Patrick,
it’s true! I see it all the time. Women use the restroom and walk right past the sinks…
It’s disgusting!
And on the topic of disgusting…
How about people who blow their noses into the restaurant provided cloth napkins, or even tissues, and then leave them on the table. Now THAT is VILE!!!
JB
I’m a bartender, and I never shake hands with gusts any more. They will get a fist bump (dap), sure, but no shake.
Patrick, since your blog addresses many service industry venues…emerging sites for use of germ and cleaning gels/hand wipes include supermarkets and box stores (push baskets), as well as hospitals (at entrances). I’m “there” w/hospitals, but not so much cleaning push bars on supermarket and box store carriages. We will, though, become more vigilant at these sites, as all it will take is a death or two.
Dr. Hank
Spiritual Care – Providence Hospital (retired)
Anchorage, Alaska
My husband likes to take that sign in the literal sense, insisting that he’s waited and waited, yet no employee had come by to wash (my husband’s) hands.
Having had to clean restrooms before, I can agree with that about women making messes, but women usually don’t miss and pee all over the wall and the floor. Men might not get to sit, as a rule, but they do have decades to develop their aim. I have followed men out of the restroom, whispering just loudly enough for everyone to hear “Sir! You forgot to wash your hands!” That usually prods them into either a strategic retreat or a walk of shame back to their table and provides the patrons with a little cheap amusement.
Patrick,
Great post! Lets get this on CNN! I often wonder when there is a report by one or two people that they got sick at some restaurant if they actually got sick from the poor restroom etiquette of themselves or another guest. I see it occasionally when dining out and it makes me want to follow the person out and publicly announce something like, “Hey mister, you didn’t wash your hands after shaking Mr. Willie!” It is a disgusting, and harmful, lack of consideration for others.
I like the bathroom sign. My favorite, though, is one that I saw years ago, hanging over a urinal:
“We aim to please…
…You aim, too…please…”
Deep thoughts…
I’m the nag.
I don’t get after customers but I’m always telling fellow staff to wash their hands. Not just after the bathroom but so many times through out the shift. You sneeze, handle the dishes, flatware, glasses, check presenter, the touch screen, your self, it’s never ending. It is impossible to wash your hands enough during a shift.
I worked at one restaurant where the chef always asked if we wanted to add anything after line-up. I always said, “wash your hands”. After awhile there was a chorus of staff, “wash your hands”, joining in. Just as it is impossible to wash your hands enough, it is also impossible to say it enough.
Just a thought … if “breathalizer ignition locking systems” can be installed on automobiles to protect the public, why can’t “sanitary safety sensors” be installed in order to exit a public restroom for the same reason? ( just hold your hands high in front of the scanner as you exit…FAIL and you’re doomed to spend the rest of your life like “Charlie on the MTA” … “did he ever return, no he never returned, and his fate is still unlearned …” )
Women are indeed just as bad – with a litle tweak: women will give dirty looks to other women who don’t wash their hands.
I thought this hand-washing business was taken care of with that Seinfeld episode (Jerry sees Poppy, a pizza maker who doesn’t use gloves, use the restroom without washing). Clearly, lessons haven’t been learned.
I think it’s laziness.
I dig your sign!
I also feel that since there’s always the possibility that the soap dispenser will be empty, people should remember to carry a hand disinfectant. No bulky jars are required, as many of these come in packages as flat as a napkin. (Remember Wash ‘ Dry?)
I’m totally with you Deborah on the BYOS (bring your own soap -thing!!!!) God, you just never know!!!! I am amazed that more of us don’t get seriously ill from these unforgivable habits of those among us who don’t WASH… good God —their own hands!!!!!! Pathetic!!!!! We don’t wan’t your germs!!!!
After working at a gas station when I was younger, the womens bathroom was always more disgusting than the mens, and smelled worse. Public restrooms are a necessary evil, but washing ones hands is the least you can and should do. I took my whole family out of a popular fast food place once because I happened to use the bathroom before ordering and there was NO HOT WATER! My wife was right there w/ me, but the kids complained about having already ordered. As we drove away to eat elsewhere, I explained that if there was no hot water, the employees could not properly wash the hands that prepared our food. After that, the kids started checking the bathrooms before we order. We have encountered this more than once! Yuk, huh?
I am of two minds here. I’ve just left the restaurant biz and living in the French countryside. I see a LOT less hand-washing over here. After years of meeting NYC health department codes and having to remind staff to wash hands for their OWN benefit (during the swine flu scare I recommended staff wash their hands as often as they could) it’s quite a change.
In the country, of course, you pee at the side of the road and go on with your business; in Europe even more so. In a French chateau with American and English guests, another story. However, I do see the everyday Joe (Jean, I guess) over here getting sick less.
Many restaurants in the country or small village just have a hand towel hanging in the bathroom, and not always soap. Germaphobes beware! Haven’t gotten sick since I’ve been here (only 6 weeks) and it’s difficult adjusting, but I think I’ll be ok.
I found your article very interesting. As a woman I too have observed this kind of behavior in the womens restrooms whether at work or just going out with friends!! I don’t get why people don’t use common sense when it comes to basic hygeine!!
Went through a hygiene class, and had an eye-opener. Even if many patrons do wash their hands, they don’t turn off the sink handle with a paper towel, and since they don’t they will be putting the germs right back on their hands…..think about it. Want to save on some germs??? All public facilities need to invest in the sensor-type sinks where you don’t have to use your hands at all. And, “yes”, on several occasions I’ve seen women quickly exit the stall and run for the door. yuck!
I find this highly disgusting.
Let’s just say that I, on weekends, prefer to spend my time (get the sarcasm), working at a gas station that has both restrooms for males and females, cleaning up after your messes.
Seriously? You can’t control your flow? You can’t aim for the potty? I can understand “hovering” (Hell, I’m female, community pots make me uneasy as well), but if you’re going to sprinkle, male or female, grab some TP and clean up. Please. And as for you guys, better aim would be nice. Just because it’s not your bathroom is no reason to “mark your territory” all over a public restroom. And yes, I’ve seen urine (and on one occasion, feces. definitely disgusting) spattered about a bathroom that I, according to my job, was to keep clean.
As I put on gloves and gritted my teeth, I wondered. Do you all just don’t care when it comes to bathroom habits on the road? You feel you can piss and whatnot all over the floor and toilet, stop up the works, whatever? I’m just curious.
Thank god my time as a part-time plumber is just that, part-time.
nasty. I have also witnessed women doing the same. I feel a sickness for their friends and families. Yes, it’s true – practically everything around you is covered in pieces of dirt and grime and skin and bugs, but if one has the opportunity, in a really obvious place where germs are spread, to at least not ingest the past ten minutes of life-crud you were exposed to why not take it.
I’m totally with you Deborah on the BYOS (bring your own soap -thing!!!!) God, you just never know!!!! I am amazed that more of us don’t get seriously ill from these unforgivable habits of those among us who don’t WASH… good God —their own hands!!!!!! Pathetic!!!!! We don’t wan’t your germs!!!!
I carry my own wipes in my purse….I am often hospitalized and am treated in the ER….they never offer you something to clean your hands after useing the facilities i.e. bedpan or commode. I am therefore suggesting to everone to carry the wipes in your purse, wallet or car. you never know. Also..Restaurants are nasty places to wash your hands…same applies.
ALSO use your own pens when ever possible. germs can travel and do..on writing implements.
Yvonne, if at all possible, to avoid getting the worker in trouble or fired, I would approach that person directly and ask them to please wash their hands as discreetly as possibly so that they won’t get into trouble. If they still refuse, then I might say something to a supervisor, but I would give them the chance to fix their mistake.
Christy
Adina, I just have to add one more comment here. I agree with you; if those who work in restaurants/hospitals or what have you don’t care about the people they are serving, you would think they would want to protect THEMSELVES from all the germs they come into contact with. I personally am not a total fanatic about hand-washing, but if in doubt, I wash them! If I have washed my hands and touch my hair/my face or feel I may have touched a less than clean surface, I just go ahead and take the minute to wash them again. One minute is all it takes.
I can understand washing your own hands but being germophobes about it e.g someone said use your own pens, is being ridiculous.
If germs were such a bad thing we would’ve been extinct a long time ago. It’s called an immune system, build it up.
This ran in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine on October 3, 2010:
Employees Only
On a recent visit back home to Boston, we went out to dinner with my brother, his wife, and their two sons, Brett, age 8, and Colin, age 7. The boys went to the restroom while we waited for our meal. When they returned, their mom asked if they had washed their hands. Colin quickly replied, “I’m not an employee!”
Nona Murphy / Delray Beach, Florida
Love it, Nona!!
It is just amazing that people still don’t wash their hands with all the info about germs disease and the like. Also it’s just crazy that people still sneeze, cough and yawn into their hands and then touch things. I’m not being specific with restaurant people, they should know better (but not all do), but just everyday people. I agree Patrick, that your sign should be on National news! That was a pretty funny Seinfeld episode though…;-)
I was a housekeeper in a Casino. Guests would use the mensroom and go right to the slot machines without washing their hands.
@Steve D – I saw that once on a sign in a unisex bathroom (in Kentucky), with the addendum “Ladies, please remain seated through the entire performance.” I even have a picture of it somewhere.