Blow dryers in public restrooms

SteveDallas · 07-21-2004, 10:59 PM

We seem to have discussed every aspect of excretory functions, so I thought I'd bring up a restroom pet peeve that has been brought home to me in my travels this week:

I HATE when restrooms don't have paper towels, but just use blow dryers. Here's some reasons why.

If I'm futzing with my contacts, I want the drain plugged so I can't send my contact down the drain by accident. If the drain is open, I ned something to put over it--and a paper towel works nicely.
If you want to wash face, arms, etc. you will never get them properly dry. This goes double for any child who may be accompanying you.
More than one person can take advantage of a paper towel dispenser. If you have 8 or 10 people in line and 2 hand dryers, you're going to be waiting a while.
A blow dryer is useless for wiping off my glasses. (To be fair, TP works for this OK.)

Please, add your own..... or, sing the praises of these stupid things.

lumberjim · 07-21-2004, 11:13 PM

i hate em. I've always hated 'em, and i hate the infrared activated ones worse. you don't even get to punch them. it's a fucking jip!
......but, they never run out of air like they do paper towels.....

they should have both if the place they're in is worth a spit.

Elspode · 07-21-2004, 11:25 PM

May I humbly suggest ripping one of the infernal devices off of the wall and seeing if it will serve as a makeshift drain plug?

wolf · 07-22-2004, 12:30 AM

The infernal machines (I call them "wipe hands on pants" devices, because that's always the step left off the directions) are infection control nightmares.

You think you're safe because you're able to activate the pushbutton with your elbow? Nah ... you're getting a face full of hot air loaded with all kinds of nasty microbes that LOVE to thrive in the humid innards of one of those things.

Also, the paper towel usage is important to the whole "handwashing as a means of preventing infection" process.

Don't EVER use the wall-mounted blowdryers.

Anybody seen the motion sensor paper towel dispensers? Those things are COOL. I thought autoflush potties and autowash spigots were cool. Nah, those are merely neat.

(one thing most people forget is that as soon as you've finished washing your hands, etc., you almost immediately recontaminate yourself ... by grabbing the doorhandle on the way out. I'm the obsessive compulsive one who opens the door with the used paper towel, and then has to search around for a wastebasket outside the restroom.)

limey · 07-22-2004, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

......but, they never run out of air like they do paper towels.....

A bit like you then, eh, Jim?

Dagney · 07-22-2004, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

I'm the obsessive compulsive one who opens the door with the used paper towel, and then has to search around for a wastebasket outside the restroom.)

At least you WASH your hands....I can't tell you how many people I work with that don't...and then go visit our salad bar.

Troubleshooter · 07-22-2004, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

(one thing most people forget is that as soon as you've finished washing your hands, etc., you almost immediately recontaminate yourself ... by grabbing the doorhandle on the way out. I'm the obsessive compulsive one who opens the door with the used paper towel, and then has to search around for a wastebasket outside the restroom.)

The only equpment in the bathroom that I touch is mine. Once I open the door I unzip, deploy, piss, retract, zip, kick the handle (still flexible at my state of decrepitude!), kick the door open on the way out.

Urine is sterile, but if for some reason I manage to piss all over myself I have a child so a handy pack of wipes is always about.

So how long before everyone starts carrying baby wipes around in little belt pouches or purses?

evansk7 · 07-22-2004, 06:15 AM

I just love the way hand-driers blow the water off your hands onto your crotch, so it looks like you've pissed yourself.

Fantastic bit of design, that.

jaguar · 07-22-2004, 06:49 AM

You would do things to your contacts in a public sink them PUT THEM IN YOUR EYE?
ew.

BrianR · 07-22-2004, 06:51 AM

I just wash and dry off. I try not to think about the door handles.

And since I played outside as a child, got very few antibiotics, have had all my shots (and then some) and tend to have a white cell count twice that of a normal person, I seem to be resistant to most germs and such.

All in all, I just do my thing and care not a bit about others habits.

Brian

Cyber Wolf · 07-22-2004, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

I thought autoflush potties and autowash spigots were cool. Nah, those are merely neat.

Four times in five, the autoflush potties completely defeat their purpose. For me at least. Here's how it goes:
1.Enter the stall
2.Start to remove pants
3.Toilet flushes
4a.Take care of business
4b.Toilet flushes during taking care of business
5.Finish and stand up
6.Toilet doesn't flush
7.Wait a couple of seconds
8.Toilet still doesn't flush
9.Wave hand in front of sensor
10.Toilet still doesn't flush
11.Give up and kick the little button with foot
12.Toilet reluctantly flushes

It's pretty uncommon that I come across one that only flushes as you're either standing up finished or leaving the stall. And I only just encountered those auto-PT-dispensers this weekend. They're friggin' awesome! :thumpsup:

Clodfobble · 07-22-2004, 08:45 AM

Also, don't EVER put your 4 year old on an automatic flushing toilet. Her tiny body will confuse the sensor, it will flush while she's sitting on it, thereby terrifying her and causing her to jump up, peeing all over herself, the floor, and possibly your leg as she clings to it whimpering.

And then for the next indefinite number of years, long after she's able to go by herself, if there's ever an automatic toilet she'll insist you come in the stall with her and cover up the sensor with your hand.

wolf · 07-22-2004, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

At least you WASH your hands....I can't tell you how many people I work with that don't...and then go visit our salad bar.

I work in a hospital. It's second nature. Actually, it was second nature before then. The notion that there are people who don't wash after is extraordinarily icky. I've read the studies, though, about the extremely small percentage of people that do wash.

ladysycamore · 07-22-2004, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

The infernal machines (I call them "wipe hands on pants" devices, because that's always the step left off the directions) are infection control nightmares.

You think you're safe because you're able to activate the pushbutton with your elbow? Nah ... you're getting a face full of hot air loaded with all kinds of nasty microbes that LOVE to thrive in the humid innards of one of those things.

Also, the paper towel usage is important to the whole "handwashing as a means of preventing infection" process.

Don't EVER use the wall-mounted blowdryers.

Ugh ugh ugh, not something to say to a semi-germaphobe like myself lol.

Quote:

Anybody seen the motion sensor paper towel dispensers? Those things are COOL. I thought autoflush potties and autowash spigots were cool. Nah, those are merely neat.

Oh yeah, those *are* cool. Nothing to touch...perfect.

Quote:

(one thing most people forget is that as soon as you've finished washing your hands, etc., you almost immediately recontaminate yourself ... by grabbing the doorhandle on the way out. I'm the obsessive compulsive one who opens the door with the used paper towel, and then has to search around for a wastebasket outside the restroom.)

Hell yeah, I do the same thing! *cringes*

The one "good" thing about having kidney failure: not having to use the public toilets as much (if at all) anymore (because of the lack of urine output).

russotto · 07-22-2004, 02:20 PM

We've got non-washers at my office. It's a good idea to always get the snacks and goodies between the time they've been removed from the sealed container and the time the non-washer has taken some.

Or not; building up an immunity to fecal coliform is probably pro-survival.

Anyway, I've seen hand driers where a graffiti artist has lovingly drawn in an icon of hands being wiped on pants.

07-21-2004, 10:59 PM	#1
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	Blow dryers in public restrooms We seem to have discussed every aspect of excretory functions, so I thought I'd bring up a restroom pet peeve that has been brought home to me in my travels this week: I HATE when restrooms don't have paper towels, but just use blow dryers. Here's some reasons why. If I'm futzing with my contacts, I want the drain plugged so I can't send my contact down the drain by accident. If the drain is open, I ned something to put over it--and a paper towel works nicely. If you want to wash face, arms, etc. you will never get them properly dry. This goes double for any child who may be accompanying you. More than one person can take advantage of a paper towel dispenser. If you have 8 or 10 people in line and 2 hand dryers, you're going to be waiting a while. A blow dryer is useless for wiping off my glasses. (To be fair, TP works for this OK.) Please, add your own..... or, sing the praises of these stupid things.

07-21-2004, 11:13 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	i hate em. I've always hated 'em, and i hate the infrared activated ones worse. you don't even get to punch them. it's a fucking jip! ......but, they never run out of air like they do paper towels..... they should have both if the place they're in is worth a spit. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

07-21-2004, 11:25 PM	#3
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	May I humbly suggest ripping one of the infernal devices off of the wall and seeing if it will serve as a makeshift drain plug? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

07-22-2004, 12:30 AM	#4
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	The infernal machines (I call them "wipe hands on pants" devices, because that's always the step left off the directions) are infection control nightmares. You think you're safe because you're able to activate the pushbutton with your elbow? Nah ... you're getting a face full of hot air loaded with all kinds of nasty microbes that LOVE to thrive in the humid innards of one of those things. Also, the paper towel usage is important to the whole "handwashing as a means of preventing infection" process. Don't EVER use the wall-mounted blowdryers. Anybody seen the motion sensor paper towel dispensers? Those things are COOL. I thought autoflush potties and autowash spigots were cool. Nah, those are merely neat. (one thing most people forget is that as soon as you've finished washing your hands, etc., you almost immediately recontaminate yourself ... by grabbing the doorhandle on the way out. I'm the obsessive compulsive one who opens the door with the used paper towel, and then has to search around for a wastebasket outside the restroom.) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

07-22-2004, 06:49 AM	#9
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	You would do things to your contacts in a public sink them PUT THEM IN YOUR EYE? ew. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

07-22-2004, 06:15 AM	#8
evansk7 Disorderly Orderly Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: England Posts: 54	I just love the way hand-driers blow the water off your hands onto your crotch, so it looks like you've pissed yourself. Fantastic bit of design, that.

07-22-2004, 06:51 AM	#10
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	I just wash and dry off. I try not to think about the door handles. And since I played outside as a child, got very few antibiotics, have had all my shots (and then some) and tend to have a white cell count twice that of a normal person, I seem to be resistant to most germs and such. All in all, I just do my thing and care not a bit about others habits. Brian __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

07-22-2004, 08:45 AM	#12
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Also, don't EVER put your 4 year old on an automatic flushing toilet. Her tiny body will confuse the sensor, it will flush while she's sitting on it, thereby terrifying her and causing her to jump up, peeing all over herself, the floor, and possibly your leg as she clings to it whimpering. And then for the next indefinite number of years, long after she's able to go by herself, if there's ever an automatic toilet she'll insist you come in the stall with her and cover up the sensor with your hand.

07-22-2004, 02:20 PM	#15
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	We've got non-washers at my office. It's a good idea to always get the snacks and goodies between the time they've been removed from the sealed container and the time the non-washer has taken some. Or not; building up an immunity to fecal coliform is probably pro-survival. Anyway, I've seen hand driers where a graffiti artist has lovingly drawn in an icon of hands being wiped on pants.

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