Yesterday, I was at a restaurant with Audrey and her family. It’s a rather large and pleasantly noisy family restaurant, so taking her 4 little guys was no problem. Within .5 seconds of settling comfortably, William (4) asked me to take him to the bathroom. Let me just add… there were Mommy and Daddy, Auntie Janie and Pop-up, but William requested me for this activity. Of course, I was more than happy to oblige.
The bathroom in this restaurant is big and clean and always stocked with soap and paper towels. (Maybe this is why I like it here so much. Not the food. But the bathroom!) Once the actual bathroom thing was taken care of, we headed to one of the many sinks for hand-washing. Over the sink, on a nicely printed plaque, were the words:
EMPLOYEES MUST WASH HANDS BEFORE RETURNING TO WORK
William is now very interested in words and reading, so he asked me, “Grandma, what does that say?’
I read it to him.
He thought for a second while he lathered his hands, then he asked, “What are employees?”
I told him.
As he began the rinse process, he looked particularly puzzled and asked, “Why do only employees have to wash their hands?”
I explained that everyone should wash their hands, of course, but employees need to be reminded because they will be touching food and dinnerware and utensils and tables… etc. You know, stuff grandmas say about hand-washing and germs and all that…
I grabbed a paper towel for William, but he was concentrating more on what I had to say than on drying his hands. “Grandma,” he said, “everybody touches food and utensils and things. I think they should have a sign for everybody to wash their hands.”
Ah, a little guy after my own heart. “You know what, William? You’re absolutely right!” I said.
Now, how do I go about introducing legislation that mandates HAND-WASHING for EVERYONE who uses a bathroom? And where would I find the HAND-WASHING Patrol? Any volunteers?
Hand washing is huge for my family as well. Not just in public restrooms, ANY restroom. I won’t even open the door in a public restroom with my bare hand after washing, I use a paper towel! I’ve seen too many people walk straight out the door after flushing the toilet and uncountable mothers change their baby’s diaper and walk out as well. It’s nauseating!
I don’t know if you can get legislation passed but if you do and need a Handwashing Patrolwoman – I’m your Gal. I have lots of experience with three kid and two grandkids. Actually, it would be nice to have a paying job like this because I am always saying “If I had a nickel for everytime I sent you back to the sink and wash your hands,,,”. So see? I am already practicing salary negotiations!
I agree with your grandson. There should be a sign telling everyone to wash. Kudos on your post!!
I’m right there with you, so count me in when you set up the patrol. 🙂 And how cute of William to think of that. I hate when I see someone not washing their hands; I’m always tempted to chase them out the door and say something.
Now that I have the tiniest bladder ever, I sometimes have to use the girl’s bathroom instead of faculty, and it kills me when I see students use the bathroom, then leave without washing their hands. SO GROSS.
I’ll support that legislation as long as it has a provision that all restrooms must be well stocked and cleaned. There have been more than a few times that I walked right past the sinks just to get out of that bathroom a little bit faster – only after coming to the conclusion a few minutes earlier that Princess or I really couldn’t hold it any longer. Good thing I keep hand sanitizer in my purse and wet wipes in the cars.
I’ll be in your hand washing patrol too!
We (as a family) probably go overboard the other way. (As if there could really be too much cleanliness!)
I have hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes wherever we go, and use it on my hands after even I sneeze! (After all, I wouldn’t want to pass germs to myself!)
William is a very smart boy. I’ll bet you could get legislation passed if he was the one starting the bill. (no pun intended)
Isn’t it great that our little ones can still learn even while going to do their business. How special of him to choose you to go with him. I think he knew that you would be patient enough to explain anything that needed explaining. Washing hands is a must too in our family. I try to carry wipes or hand cleaner just in case no soap in the bathroom.