Well, I’m certainly not going to borrow anyone’s phone! It’s funny, but I’m serious. Unless I’m in drastic straits, I’m not borrowing someone’s phone if this is what is happening. For the record, I do NOT take my phone to the toilet.
Let’s be honest — people have a habit of bringing their phones to the bathroom. I’ve been guilty of it myself, and chances are that someone is on the toilet reading this article right now. A three-minute trip to the loo can easily turn into 15 minutes of reading, scrolling and posting.
This reinforces my conviction that too many are too addicted to their technology, specifically their phones.
Yes that is funny, and you’re right about the tech addiction. I’m as deep into it as most of us here.
However.
Many of us grew up with the 5 second rule and drinking out of the garden hose, and as such I didn’t worry about germs then, and I don’t worry about them now. Its not illogical to believe that reasonable exposure to the dirty world strengthens one’s resistance to it (dare I say, natural immunity?) Personally, other than my annual 2 day bout of the flu at this time of year (for as long as I can remember! Can’t shake it!) I don’t get sick. Of course, YMMV.
If one can’t go to the loo without scrolling on one’s phone, then I’d consider that addictive behavior when one considers that, unlike reading the paper or a magazine, people pick up their phone at nearly every opportunity.
But we’ve been down this road, so I’ll leave it as is. My main point is that if people are using their phones while on the toilet, I’m not borrowing them.
I stayed at a B&B that had a stocked bookshelf immediately next to the toilet. Mostly joke books and trivia books with one- and two-page chapters. “The Book of Lists” was excellent bathroom reading.
That’s funny, I do exactly the same thing. And I always use a paper towel when exiting the men’s room. I’ve seen far too many leave the restroom without washing their hands.
Post COVID my work place has a trash can next to the door for those who wish to use a paper towel. There are also foot pedals to pull the door so that you don’t have to touch the door handle at all while you exit.
I’m more worried about someone sneezing and letting the germs in the air.
Well, if you are concerned for germs in America, there are many countries that you definitely do not want to take your phone (or use others afterwards) into the toilet area.
There is no medical reason to worry about germs in a reasonably well-maintained restroom. Bring in your phone. Wash your hands after you do your business, and then open the door with your bare hands. If you have a normal immune system, you’ll be fine.
This conversation has been very helpful for me because it made me mindful of how much time I’m spending in the smallest room of the house. I don’t even have kids, and yet I had fallen into the Dad habit of setting up camp in there and staying a while. I’m now being more mindful of doing my business and getting out fast. If I want to sit and scroll my phone, better to just sit in a chair like a person.
It’s funny, but I’m serious. Unless I’m in drastic straits, I’m not borrowing someone’s phone if this is what is happening. For the record, I do NOT take my phone to the toilet.
