Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 5:53:51 GMT -5
I sit without even thinking about it. (Well, except for the squatty-potties in India.) I was raised in a family of 5 kids and Mom kept the house clean but was not hell-bent on killing every ambient germ. In the last 4 (5?) years, I've taken one sick day. It was to have dental implants placed.
A few germs won't kill anyone with a good immune system.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 5:57:00 GMT -5
You can catch illnesses from contaminated surfaces. Especially surfaces contaminated with fecal matter.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Apr 10, 2014 5:59:04 GMT -5
I mostly sit, unless it is really disgusting, then I squat. Usually I just wipe the seat down with TP and call it a day. I've managed to not contract any weird diseases so far.
When you got to go, you've got to go!
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 6:03:41 GMT -5
We are all in contact with germs, viruses, etc. Most of the time our bodies deal with them just fine. No, you are not going to get pregnant or an STD from a toilet seat. But it isn't just the toilet, it is the door handles, the faucets, etc. All of which are contaminated. But yes you can't live life for fear of every germ either because we are all constantly exposed.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 6:31:56 GMT -5
You can catch illnesses from contaminated surfaces. Especially surfaces contaminated with fecal matter. if there's fecal matter on the toilet, then I think most of us would bypass that stall.....and of all the germaphobes I know, they have kids who are always sick. my kids are never sick (last time my 15 year old had anything more than a cold or a 'I feel blah' was when he was 4. seriously unless you lick the toilet seat or put your hands all over it and don't wash them, the likelihood of catching anything from sitting on an uncovered toilet seat is probably so low that they can't put a number on it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 6:33:13 GMT -5
There is a very precocious 4/5 yr old in our homeschool group. Talks non stop. One day she sat next to me at ice skating and told me all the rules of the rink, and when those were all started on the general rules of life, among them "Never go to the bathroom anywhere but home." ....
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Apr 10, 2014 6:52:43 GMT -5
Quads of steel. I squat.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:06:31 GMT -5
I've been perfecting the squat for so long that my aim is very good. Before I had kids I have to confess if there was any side sprinkle I didn't worry about it since I assumed everybody squatted as well. Since I had kids, though, and realized not only do people plop down bare-assed but some (cough...small heathen boys!... cough) will do everything but roll all over it and lick it... if there's any mess, I make sure to wipe it up before going.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:24:58 GMT -5
You can catch illnesses from contaminated surfaces. Especially surfaces contaminated with fecal matter. if there's fecal matter on the toilet, then I think most of us would bypass that stall.....and of all the germaphobes I know, they have kids who are always sick. my kids are never sick (last time my 15 year old had anything more than a cold or a 'I feel blah' was when he was 4. seriously unless you lick the toilet seat or put your hands all over it and don't wash them, the likelihood of catching anything from sitting on an uncovered toilet seat is probably so low that they can't put a number on it. Of course some of the avoidance desire is based on the idea that it's more sanitary but some is just based on personal preference.
It's very similar to other cultural or emotional reactions from people who choose to eat meat from cows, chickens and pigs yet feel repelled by the idea of horse meat or fresh roadkill. If you eat hamburger yet turn your nose up at a horse steak it's a similar thing - partly based on "scientific" concerns but more based on your emotional reaction. Maybe next time you hit a deer or cat, you should go ahead and take that fresh meat home and feed your family that meat; after all, that would help give your kids better immunity.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 7:26:55 GMT -5
"if there's fecal matter on the toilet, then I think most of us would bypass that stall.....and of all the germaphobes I know, they have kids who are always sick. my kids are never sick (last time my 15 year old had anything more than a cold or a 'I feel blah' was when he was 4.
seriously unless you lick the toilet seat or put your hands all over it and don't wash them, the likelihood of catching anything from sitting on an uncovered toilet seat is probably so low that they can't put a number on it."
Um, do you not understand microbiology and germ theory. You can't actually SEE the germs. Wow.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 7:28:03 GMT -5
"Of course some of the avoidance desire is based on the idea that it's more sanitary but some is just based on personal preference.
It's very similar to other cultural or emotional reactions such as people who choose to eat meat from cows, chickens and pigs yet feel repelled by the idea of horse meat or fresh roadkill. If you eat hamburger yet turn your nose up at a horse steak it's a similar thing - partly based on "scientific" concerns but more based on your emotional reaction. Maybe next time you hit a deer or cat, you should go ahead and take that fresh meat home and feed your family that meat; after all, that would help give your kids better immunity."
So what? Just because I am exposed to germs all day long still doesn't mean I want to plop my bare behind down on a seat where someone else's foul, smelly arse just was. Sheesh.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 10, 2014 7:29:05 GMT -5
I never sit on a public toilet except with a cover or TP on it. I'm the master of hovering!
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Apr 10, 2014 7:31:29 GMT -5
I have heard about cleanliness studies that sampled random things in our everyday lives. Your computer keyboard and coffee cup at the office usually come back with more bacteria than the office toilet.
I personally just sit. If it looks dirty I use a toilet seat cover or make one from tp.
I grew up on a farm and this time of year my mom would go for a walk with a large pack of toilet paper. She would put a roll in every truck and tractor. Sometimes you get to go at the end of the field.
My biggest gripe is the auto flush toilets that splash water and whatever else was in the bowl up onto the seat. It seems like every airport toilet is required to flush water on the seat. Must be a new homeland security measure.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:40:23 GMT -5
"Of course some of the avoidance desire is based on the idea that it's more sanitary but some is just based on personal preference. It's very similar to other cultural or emotional reactions such as people who choose to eat meat from cows, chickens and pigs yet feel repelled by the idea of horse meat or fresh roadkill. If you eat hamburger yet turn your nose up at a horse steak it's a similar thing - partly based on "scientific" concerns but more based on your emotional reaction. Maybe next time you hit a deer or cat, you should go ahead and take that fresh meat home and feed your family that meat; after all, that would help give your kids better immunity." So what? Just because I am exposed to germs all day long still doesn't mean I want to plop my bare behind down on a seat where someone else's foul, smelly arse just was. Sheesh. Not sure why you're sheeshing me, I agree with you. I'm saying that it's OK to have some personal preferences like this.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 7:41:49 GMT -5
I like sheeshing. It is very relaxing.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:42:12 GMT -5
I have heard about cleanliness studies that sampled random things in our everyday lives. Your computer keyboard and coffee cup at the office usually come back with more bacteria than the office toilet.
May be true, but that bacteria is mine. From me. Totally irrational, but I'm less grossed out by my own cooties than the idea of random stranger cooties.
And I clean my keyboard - and the TV remote - regularly. Yes, issues.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:43:57 GMT -5
I like sheeshing. It is very relaxing. Good. I'm actually glad to hear that. It's tough to tell from small samples of writing, but I would have guessed that you live in a state of constant annoyance and disgust with people; seems stressful. But if sheeshing is relaxing to you, then glad you have that outlet.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 7:45:55 GMT -5
Nah. I am actually quite relaxed and enjoying life! But, you seem to enjoy lecturing people, so have at it! lol
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 10, 2014 7:47:43 GMT -5
Nah. I am actually quite relaxed and enjoying life! But, you seem to enjoy lecturing people, so have at it! lol I totally enjoy "giving out advice" (aka "lecturing")... it's nice to be able to do it on a message board instead of subjecting family to it.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 10, 2014 7:50:01 GMT -5
Good point. It is fun to gnash on topics here so we don't wear people out IRL!
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Apr 10, 2014 8:01:51 GMT -5
Here in CA it is standard (not sure required?) to have the toilet seat covers in every stall. I use them. I hate when we travel to places that don't have them... Then I either do the wipe, cover with tp and sit or I squat... Ditto to this except I'll wipe down the seat with tp before I put the cover on it. One thing I've noticed and really don't get is that its the doctor's offices and hospitals that never have covers in their restrooms around here. I just don't get that since those are the places that are going to have the most germs. Am I supposed to believe they clean their restrooms every hour because they aren't touched while I've been there waiting.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 10, 2014 8:15:49 GMT -5
I have heard about cleanliness studies that sampled random things in our everyday lives. Your computer keyboard and coffee cup at the office usually come back with more bacteria than the office toilet.
May be true, but that bacteria is mine. From me. Totally irrational, but I'm less grossed out by my own cooties than the idea of random stranger cooties.
And I clean my keyboard - and the TV remote - regularly. Yes, issues.
I'm with ya there. I have Clorox wipes at my desk, that get used regularly....on everything.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 8:22:42 GMT -5
Cleaning my keyboard involves tipping it over and tapping it a few times so all the food and eyelashes come out (what's with all the eyelashes?).
I seriously believe all those antibacterial/antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizers everywhere are a bad thing. We're probably just evolving superbugs that can survive them.
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travelnut11
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Post by travelnut11 on Apr 10, 2014 8:34:48 GMT -5
I've sat on public toilet seats all over the world for 37 years and nothing has happened to me yet. I agree that all of these germaphobe tendencies are causing problems in people's health. We NEED germs to build immune systems.
And I have a bone to pick with all of you squatters...WIPE OFF THE SEAT AFTER YOU PEE ON IT! I don't understand why people think peeing on the seat is better than just sitting down. It drives me crazy because I think it's way grosser to sit on a wet toilet seat than just sitting down.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 10, 2014 8:42:59 GMT -5
I sit. Never gave it a second thought. I'm a farm girl. Not much grosses me out. Same here. As I've gotten older, squatting is more and more difficult. In Asia, I've used squat toilets. And unless you've been to Asia, you don't know what "disgusting" is...... I am finding the American obsession with germs amusing.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Apr 10, 2014 8:47:53 GMT -5
Cleaning my keyboard involves tipping it over and tapping it a few times so all the food and eyelashes come out (what's with all the eyelashes?). I seriously believe all those antibacterial/antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizers everywhere are a bad thing. We're probably just evolving superbugs that can survive them. I agree. In the past five years, I have gotten the stomach flu twice. And both times were when I was actively trying to avoid getting sick and used hand sanitizer (which I never normally use). Once when we were in Las Vegas and once right before I was leaving on vacation and to run a marathon.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Apr 10, 2014 8:48:04 GMT -5
In Asia, I've used squat toilets. And unless you've been to Asia, you don't know what "disgusting" is I peed behind a bush once rather than use the toilets at the long house. If I didn't die using toilets in Borneo I am not going to die sitting on an American toilet. And I have a bone to pick with all of you squatters...WIPE OFF THE SEAT AFTER YOU PEE ON IT! And try not to get it on the floors. I don't like the underside of my shoes being covered in urine. Some women are worse than men when it comes to aim.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 8:50:26 GMT -5
You know. Before this thread, I seriously had no idea women squatted over toilets. I've seen pee on the seat before and wondered WTH? How did that happen? Wiped it off and sat down.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Apr 10, 2014 8:52:38 GMT -5
Scottish_Lassie my "no sit" policy applies when visiting friends and family. I have issues, too, apparently. However, if I'm really in a very desperate situation (i.e., diarrhea, etc.), I may put TP on the seat and then sit on my hands. I can usually tell when a woman using the restroom in my office is sitting because I can hear the weight transfer if her stall is next to mine. My office restroom does not have white noise of any type... you can hear a pin drop in there. In a lot of cases, I don't think that a lot of women are using the TP as a barrier because the sound of their sitting on the toilet happens almost immediately. You might try wearing latex gloves ìf you are going to sit on your hands. That way, you can take them off before you wipe yourself. Germ free hands. Regarding 'white noise': continuous courtesy flushes will take care of that problem along with #2 odors.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Apr 10, 2014 9:02:58 GMT -5
"if there's fecal matter on the toilet, then I think most of us would bypass that stall.....and of all the germaphobes I know, they have kids who are always sick. my kids are never sick (last time my 15 year old had anything more than a cold or a 'I feel blah' was when he was 4. seriously unless you lick the toilet seat or put your hands all over it and don't wash them, the likelihood of catching anything from sitting on an uncovered toilet seat is probably so low that they can't put a number on it." Um, do you not understand microbiology and germ theory. You can't actually SEE the germs. Wow. I do....and the germs you get by sitting on a toilet ate nothing compared to those that already live in your mouth, your gut, on your hands, etc. people are not sterile and everyone sheds their bacteria all the time. I'm a 54 year plopper. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't squat now, Ironically, the infection that caused my medical hell was caused by my own, normal flora. Ain't gonna do anything about that.
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