I had a (haha) funny conversation with my friend the other day, and I was wondering what other people think.
My friend was telling me about some news magazine show she was watching last week where the show's producers were following a self-confessed germaphobic mom. My friend told me watching the show put her in mind of me, because "you're kind of a germaphobe." I admit to being a lot of things, but I was a little surprised at being described as that. I asked her why she thought I was, and she said - and this was her only reason - it's because I don't let my kids go barefoot in public restrooms.
I had to laugh. Really?? THAT makes me a germaphobe? I mean, if it does, I am definitely guilty. But the only reason why this is something she even notices at all is that I let my kids run barefoot almost everywhere outside. It's why their shoes are not already on their feet when they have to go to the bathroom when we are at the park.
I'm not offended at all by her characterization, but it cracks me up that what I consider a pretty low standard of germ avoidant behavior earned me the "germaphobe" label. My friend, by the way, is by no means a slob. In fact, she is a much more motivated housekeeper than I am. I sort of wish I were more uptight about stuff like that, because I'd probably find cleaning more rewarding.
What do you all think? Bare feet in public bathrooms - gross or no big deal?
Haha, thanks, everyone! Glad to hear I'm well within the normal range! :)
I am NOT a germaphobe. I'm pretty much the opposite. Nearly nothing grosses me out. I LOVE bare feet. With that said, there are some places bare feet are unsanitary. I would consider a place that is made for eliminating bodily fluids one of them.
Yes bare feet in public restrooms is gross.
I'm with you on this! But, I'm definitely a huge germaphobe :) I also don't like kids to play in public sandboxes (I view it as a huge container of kitty/dog/squirrel/mouse litter) and avoid holding the subway poles whenever humanly possible!
I would NEVER go barefoot in a public restroom. Gross! I don't even like going barefoot in the pool restroom, even though I'm going right back into the water!
You aren't a germophobe.
Bare feet in public restrooms is gross!
The earth would stop spinning before we would be barefoot in a public bathroom .
That's a pretty low standard for a label like that! I am almost like ChangedForPrivacy and I have found it very useful. Washing hands often is a huge factor in health. I hate taking a menu in a restaurant because I know few people have washed their hands. I certainly would insist on shoes in a bathroom! After my first getting planter warts from the dorm shower, you bet cha.
Oh that is so funny and so gross! I would be making a mental note not to eat anything she prepared in the future because if bare feet in the bathrooms is ok I can't even imagine what else she is ok with.
I get the heeby jeebies when I see people in public places with bare feet. I have a really hard time walking through swimming pool locker rooms or any place that has wet stagnant water, even if I have flip flops on. I really have to take a deep breath and try not to dry heave. Bare feet would just send me over the top.
No, I would not consider you a germaphobe. But thanks for the laugh, that is super funny!
Nah - germophobe would be bare feet in your OWN bathroom.
EEWWWW!!!!
No, I would not let my daughter go barefoot in a public bathroom either, in fact I tell her to not let her clothes (pants, shorts, skirts etc.) touch the floor. Most are very gross and not cleaned as often as your home bathroom.
It's gross!
ETA: Changed4Privacy F. ---- my germaphobe twin!
I think wearing shoes in a public bathroom is a requirement...I am thinking of the center where we go to swim...I always make my kids wear shoes to go inside to the bathroom/lockerroom.
So if that makes you a germaphobe...sign me up...:-)
I just think about athlete's foot and other nasties that are on those floors.
Ewww! I'm with you on this, no bare or socked feet in public restrooms. Actually, I don't have bare feet ever, not even to walk outside. Why? Because, my dog poops out there, of course I pick it up but the germs are still there. Plus, bird droppings, and other insects. I hate having bare feet! If I had to walk bare foot somewhere I will, but not by choice. I take my shoes off when I shower and when I go to bed!
ETA: I'm also the type who will hold "it" until the cows come home. I'm definitely a bit of a germaphobe, as I won't use a public restroom at all unless it's an absolute emergency.
You win on this one. Your friend is gross for thinking that is okay!
If that's a germaphobe, so am I! It is GROSS. I don't even really like it when DD walks barefoot into the restroom at the pool, but sometimes kids can't wait to put on shoes first.
My BIL is a bit of a germaphobe. He's gotten better, but an example is that they use disposable changing pads because he can't stand the idea of reusing the surface that the poop/pee might've been on, even if they wipe it down. He's still a very good dad, and my sister feels that if minor things like that are what he needs, she'll go with it.
Howie Mandel is a germaphobe. You're just a responsible parent, IMO.
Yeah, if you're a germophobe I'd hate to see what she thinks of me! I *gasp* don't let me kid play barefoot at the park at all! He can in the yard at home, but who knows what's buried in the pea gravel around the toys at the park. So no shoes in a public bathroom would needless to say not happen on my watch!
nah. i'm the anti-germaphobe (throw 'em in the septic tank! makes 'em stronger!) but i can understand not wanting little bare feet on public bathroom floors, even if it's not something i'd do more than shrug at.
you sound pretty sensible to me.
:) khairete
S.
Don't most places with public bathrooms (stores, restaurants) require patrons to wear shoes?
As for bathrooms at the park, people aren't always too careful when they aim. You have no idea how often or how well those bathrooms are cleaned if a toilet overflows. I've seen some nasty toilets at parks, and if the toilets are that gross, you can only imagione what you can't see on the floors.
There is a big difference between running barefoot in grass and standing barefoot in a puddle of someone else's pee.
Uh, that is so very GROSS. I don't even like for my shoes to touch those floors, let alone my FEET! I am very cautious about coming into contact with YUCK, but it's not because of germs...just the yuck factor. Ew.
(Btw, my child would never be allowed to go barefoot in the public park. I see little difference between that and the restroom, except that the natural dirt is better than the concentrated toilet-ness. Ew.)
The only kind of public restroom I have ever been barefoot in has been at a pool or waterpark. When you're barefoot all day and soaking in water with other people, shoes at that point are pointless anyway. (Shoes are not allowed past the check-in gate at our local pool, so you'd need to actually leave the pool entirely to get your shoes and then find a bathroom elsewhere.)
I don't let my kids run barefoot in the park at all. The reason is safety, not germs. That said, grass and park surfaces are full of icky things so by the time your kid needs to use the bathroom, the floor may be less contaminated than their bare feet.
In any case, you're clearly not a germaphobe.
GROSS!
I guess I am a germaphobe too then!
That is just nasty!! I can remember being young and having to use the public restrooms at the beach growing up in So. Cal & I have never been the same since!
Okay - I can see why allowing a child to run outside barefooted but put on shoes for the bathroom might peg one as a germaphobe. But then there is a definite ick factor when it comes to public bathrooms. I have to admit at the pool the kids will run to the bathroom without flip flops, but if I catch them in time, I have them put them on. It's just gross.
ewwwwww. Gross. I don't do that and I ashamedly admit sometimes my 2 year old picks food up off the floor in our house and I don't grab into her mouth to get it out.
eeeewwww yes cover up your feet in public bathrooms!! We were a the pool the other day and had to leave quickly because of the weather. I grabbed my flip flops and took off, and I had to run through the area at the front of the pool where everyone goes in and out, and where the bathrooms are. I was grossed out there, and they clean every night with bleach. Tell your friend she has low standards. JK!!
Woo hoo - I too am a germaphobe! Heck, I don't even like my kids to go barefoot at the park. I let them though... once I do a once over to make sure there isn't anything harmful on the ground. Also, I think public restrooms are far more used/disgusting than they used to be do to population growth.
I would never think of going into a public washroom with bare feet, except at the pool.
Gross!
Even at a public pool you should wear flip flops.
I still have a vivid memory of a Greatful Dead concert at a large venue, pouring rain, an inch of mud on the restroom floors and there were people BAREFOOT in the restrooms. Really? and youre selling cookies? Bleeeeech!
It's gross. Although...my BIL got me really drunk one night at a concert and I guess my feet hurt so I kicked my shoes off in the restroom. Somehow, this almost lead to a fight, probably because someone said I was gross, and apparently I walked out of the restroom and told my husband, "I lost my schews.
Yuck! I think it's disgusting not wearing shoes in public bathrooms. I got plantar warts at camp by not wearing flip-flops in the showers, so I guess I get more freaked out by it. Otherwise, I'm not a germaphobe for the most part. 10 second rule applies.
Well, you do realize that the grass and dirt are much more full of bacteria and micro organisms plus dog poop, dead animals debris, dead insects, rusty metal, etc.......
I think the bathroom floors might be cleaner than the great outdoors. We hardly go barefoot outside at all.
