Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Controversial Underpants

When I composed my previous entry, I never considered that it might strike controversy (minor as it is, roll with it for the sake of this post) between those who wash brand spanking new underwear and those who don't, prior to their use. I'm such a lover of the way newly purchased clothes fit and feel that first time they're worn; before the evils of soap, water, dryer, air dry, and dry cleaners alter the fabric, no matter how minor the alteration. It also got me to thinking about all the things that strangers, and their questionable hands have touched. Handled things that have come into contact with my body in some way.

Like, for instance, the fast food cashier who handles my money then proceeds to pack up my food to go. And when I say "to go", I mean in my mouth. Money that could have seen the inside of an exotic dancer's thong or used as a vehicle to get some blow into someone's nose.

Or the clerk at the cosmetics counter who gives you a makeover. Without a sink in sight.

Or the salon basin where your hair is being washed. Right after Sweaty McNeck-Hair man.

And all of the restaurants utensils and plates we're trusting weren't sneezed or coughed on (or at least hands that were not touching them that have been sneezed or coughed on OR WORSE) somewhere between the industrial strength dishwasher and our table.

It never crossed my mind that a sealed package of panties would put my vagina in peril. Like say, the mechanical bull at The Saddle Ranch on Sunset Blvd. But that's a whole 'nother story.

29 comments:

Allison said...

Eew germs and lots of 'em. Yuck yuck yuck. I think I need to wash my hands after reading this (not because you are dirty hehe, but because everyone else is).

Anonymous said...

'Scuse me while I go bathe in scalding hot bleach water .........

JCK said...

Oh yes, THANKS A WHOLE FRIGGIN' LOT for this post. Ya making me neurotic ladyunderpants. Just what does that Farkle stand for anyway?

See you tonight! :)

Suburban Correspondent said...

There's a reason people who have worked in restaurants are reluctant to eat in them...

pam said...

You gotta be kidding me right??? With all the germs/cooties we're exposed to daily, a pair of new unwashed panties are gonna infect our hoohoo? I know I know my mom washed everything too. And I did with my first. But now, they're lucky I can get myself to the store to purchase said underwear, let alone wash it? nope

1blueshi1 said...

Hmm. The Perils of My Vagina. Like The Perils of Pauline. But with more vahjayjay.
hehehe!

Madge said...

don't think about it. that's the trick. just. don't. think. about it.

Joeprah said...

Blushing too much to comment...

Anonymous said...

i am if the no-wash mentality, while the husband (and now our "manny") of of the wash every stinkin' thing before it comes into contact with skin. But then will talk on the phone/text on the crackberry/blow nose and then eat a chip. WTF. I will wash new sheets though, only because they are itchy.

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

Dude, I have always considered anything to come out of anything clear and plastic to be cleaner than it is when it comes out of my lint ridden dryer.

KEEP BELIEVING

Anonymous said...

Mechanical bull? And just where was Mr. F during all of this?
Helooo - Spring break over yet? Summer is almost here.

Mrs. G. said...

I had to stop reading, because if I think about this too much I would never leave my house.

A Mom Two Boys said...

I actually get IN "TROUBLE" if I was DJ's stuff before he wears it. He loves new clothes. I'm also completely lazy and can't imagine how long it would take to be able to wear something new if I had to wash it first.

Oh and have you heard the study of lemons at restaurants? Ew...but I still take em with my water or tea.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Has it worked for you so far? I'm just sayin'!

Anonymous said...

People wash them prior to wearing? Seriously? I did that for the baby with Dreft, but that was for skin sensitivities or whatever reason "they" told me to, but undies for me? Doubtful.

Anonymous said...

Ii travel to China, Malaysia, and Singapore for business and if you want super clean you will go hungry and have to levitate.

I say bring it on.

I do want to hear about the bull riding...

Anonymous said...

I have to admit that whenever I prepare fresh vegies and fruit, I can't help but think of the hands that touched them (hands in a farm field, where people probably have to pee in the woods and run back to the field to pick my salad for me....Needless to say, I use Vegie-Wash religiously.

stephanie said...

It's so funny that you did this follow-up, because yesterday's post (and my response) kept crossing my mind today - when I retrieved a pumpkin seed from my classroom floor and ate it; when I grabbed recyclables out of the garbage; when I wrote on the chalkboard; when I exchanged money with the Taco Bell worker.

Life is too short - and it's not likely to get cut much shorter because I don't worry about a few extra germs here & there.

BTW, go ahead & tell my husband all about the bull riding, since I'm publicly fantasizing about my grocery store clerk & all...

OHmommy said...

lmao

Nick & Lizzy said...

Eeeeeeeewww! That's all I can muster...

Anonymous said...

I believe that if you ask epidemiologists they will say that it would be safer to touch a toilet in a public restroom rather than touch your very own desk, phone or computer keyboard. The number of bacteria found in an office is MUCH higher and much more GROTESQUE than that found on the average scrubbed daily toilet.


I'll just grab the Clorox wipes right after I don my hazmet suit.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

OMG, I am a big proponent of washing before wearing. And ask my girls, they will tell you how happy I am that the grocery store has started putting Purel wipes right next to the carts. I know, I have issues.

dkuroiwa said...

(so last night I posted a really good comment and today...where is it?? Damn Blogger anyway!!)

I'm going to blame my neurotic washing behavior on my mom....one time in college, I put away some newly purchased unders and after hearing her voice in my head (that used to happen a lot!!) I finally had to just throw them in the washing machine....that voice!!

One more thing that made me ~~shudder~~ was the report on what maids do to clean the glasses in hotel rooms....blech.

Does the mechanical bull story have pictures? just asking....

Bonnie said...

GNARLY!!

Jennifer S said...

I've got my fingers in my ears, and I'm singing lalalalalalalalalalalala.

Can't think about it.

Except when I do. Blech.

Anonymous said...

My mom was a health inspector, so I have always been paranoid about restaurants. Now I've got to worry about my thongs? Crap.

Wineplz said...

OMG...thank GOD I use a debit card (mostly because I am way too lazy to go find an ATM and get some cash). I don't want any butt money in my wallet.

Jason, as himself said...

Oh, great. Thanks a lot. Just when I thought I had actually gotten most of my hangups under control---a whole new set to deal with.

LI Laura said...

I agree with washing the loose underwear first, but the underwear that comes taped up and shrink wrapped?? Honey that's way cleaner than the rest of my dog-hair ridden house!