BBC Home

Explore the BBC

h2g2
30th December 2009
Accessibility help
Text only

.

Conversation Forum


SEARCH h2g2
Edited Entries only
Search h2g2Advanced Search


New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in
BBC Homepage
The Guide to Life, The Universe and Everything.

This is the Conversation Forum for The Quickest Way to Dry Your Hands Under an Electric Hand Dryer
Contact Us


Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

 
Conversation list
<< Heartfelt thanks !
Another useful tip >>

Comment
Post: 1
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Das Mouldy Sandwich
I personally use the trouser method of drying...winkeye

Reply 

No Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 2
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Super Shiny Sarah
I would agree, and urge everybody to do the same. Hand driers recirculate air from their immediate surroundings - not exactly the cleanest air in the world to start with - and then warm it, providing excellent conditions for bacteria to live and breed. You can even catch typhoid fever from them! I'm not normally paranoid about things like this, but I haven't used an electric hand drier for two years and I'd recommend that you all stop using them, too smiley

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 3
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Hezekiel
I wonder if someone has actually done a chemical analysis of electric
dryer and its immediate surroundings. On second thought, that bloke
who did the research has prolly died because of tuberculosis or something similar smiley

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 4
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Teasswill (only if it's green)
I usually carry some tissues which will serve to dry hands - and all sorts of other purposes!

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 5
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by tacsatduck- beware the <sheep> lie
well I say you need a regular influx of germs to keep your immune system in shape...they gotta get their exercise

chick
(cuddle bunny )

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 6
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Chadsmoor Charlie
The trouble is, tissues aren't normally any good once wet, so you end up with bits stuck to your still wet hands. Ditto toilet paper, which is often the only option when the hand dryer is broken or there are no paper towels.

Wiping hands on trousers is fine but looks a bit odd when the trousers are a light colour. Overall, environmental issues aside, I'd rather use a paper towel any day. But if they are supplied, someone has usually pulled the whole lot out and either stuffed them down the nearest toilet or just thrown them all over the floor (maybe to mop up the overspill from the blocked toilet).

The only solution is to cross your legs all the way home, if you ask me!

Charlie chick

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 7
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by And Introducing... A Leg
This may only apply to the male of the species, but...

Just have your wee, then leave. Have you considered what would be on the taps and the soap dispenser? ill

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 8
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Ballynac
I agree. Unless you have actually weed on your hands, then why do you need to wash them. There is probably far more germs on the taps and soap dispensers than there are on any part of your person. However, once in a men's loo I did see a guy peeing, walk straight to the dryer (bypassing the sink) and dry his hands. What was he drying into them?? Gross!

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 9
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Spoonwinner, Cheese Namer & Zaphodista)
It reminds me of the old joke:

A soldier and a sailor are side by side using a urinal. The sailor turns to walk out, but the soldier calls after him "Hey, Navy boy, in the Army they teach us to wash our hands!"

The sailor calls back "Hey, Army boy, in the Navy they teach us not to piss on our hands!"

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 10
Posted Sep 13, 2002 by NAITA (Join ViTAL - A1014625)
Ok, a few comments to the comments. smiley

Super Shiny Sarah, not drying your hands underneath the electrical dryer will only save you from harmfull bacteria if you also hold your breath through the entire visit to the public toilet. Even if _you_ don't use it, other people will and the bacteria will be spread all through the room. smiley And it's probably not all that nice a place for bacteria either, at one end is the intake which is cold and has the same moisture content as the rest of the room. Then there is the heating element which will be scorching hot while the dryer is running. And then there is the exhaust, which will regularly be robbed of all moisture by a stream of hot, dry air. You're much more likely to catch your diseases from something else, like a hotel airconditioner.

tacsatduck, you've got it right! biggrin

And you guys who don't wash your hands after peeing, unless you manage to do the job without handling your willy or your underwear you will be touching an area that is warm, somewhat moist (unless you don't sweat at all, freak! winkeye ) and a perfect haven for bacteria. Then again, if you shower regularly the area is probably relatively safe compared to the public toilet itself.

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 11
Posted Sep 14, 2002 by Calculator Nerd 256
I turn on the water, prepare a paper towel, wash my hands. use the paper towel to turn off the water, use the paper towel to get another paper towel, use THAT paper towel to dry my hands and get yet ANOTHER paper towel, which i use to open the door.
Also, I agree with the person who said something about immune system workouts, which is why I regularly eat off the floor, but NEVER a lavatory floor. Gross.
<Bill Gates>geek >8^B

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 12
Posted Sep 14, 2002 by Wand'rin star
I usually dry my hands on my hair star

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 13
Posted Sep 14, 2002 by Pheroneous
The more experienced user of public lavatories and their hot air driers may have noticed that there is often a little flap or directional knob thing so that you can aim the flow of often very hot air at your face instead of your hands. You may consider it a fun thing to do to leave the flap or knob in the upturned position, thus granting the next user an unexpected blast of hot air to their face. A jolly jape indeed.

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 14
Posted Sep 14, 2002 by [I have gone and left here for good]
Well anyone who has EVER traveled by rail.. or any type of pulic transport in the UK for a while will know that it is safest never to use the provided bathrooms... i still dont understand how the surfaces for drying you newly cleaned hands can get so drity .. i personally have vowed never to use them ... u know at my local reailway station too they make u pay to use their disgusting lavatories :S

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 15
Posted Sep 15, 2002 by FABT - new venture A815654 Angel spoiler page
which all goes to proove quite conclusively that the late great Mr Adams was quite right about how important it is to know where your towel is........

Reply 

Previous PostNext Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Comment
Post: 16
Posted Sep 15, 2002 by Hezekiel
I agree that it is appropriate to wash your hands, but it seems that
some of the people over here have a bad mysophobia monster

Reply 

Previous PostNo Next Post
Click to Make a Complaint
The Parent Posting, to Which This is a Reply
An Older Reply to the Parent PostingThis PostingA Newer Reply to the Parent Posting
The First Reply to This Posting

Key
Navigation Example
A: An older reply to the parent Posting
B: The parent Posting, to which this is a reply
C: A newer reply to the parent posting
D: The first reply to this Posting
Click to Make a Complaint
 Click on this icon to make a complaint about a specific Posting
Conversation list
<< Heartfelt thanks !
Another useful tip >>






Disclaimer

Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click here. For any other comments, please click on the Feedback button above.




About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy