Since when has using a toilet become so complicated that we need self-flushing devices? As toddlers, we learn the basics of toilet operation. Have we evolved to the point of complete helplessness? What’s up with the self-flushing toilets? Are these really necessary? I get it, that some people are lame and don’t flush after they do their business, but does that justify needing self-flushing toilets for everyone? I mean, how hard is it to flush a toilet?
I’ve found that most of these “modern” models don’t even flush when they’re supposed to. Or worse yet, some flush repeatedly; over and over and over. How much water is wasted from these continually flushing engineering wonders? Have you ever been quietly sitting on one of these self-flushing jobbies and have it flush before you’re done? It’s downright frightening. Not only do you get a wake up call, but your bottom gets a wash job. You also have a terrifying moment wondering if you’re going to get sucked into a deep dark vortex of sewage. Heaven help you if you were wiping at that very moment. Sit carefully my friends and once in position – do not move.
Now from the horrors of the stall, we move to the downright silliness of the automated sinks and soap dispensers. Okay, I’ll admit, the automated sinks are a nice feature, especially at the airport where you’re toting around a handbag or backpack and 50 pounds of luggage, it’s nice to just stick you hands under the faucet. But, first you must find the exact spot of the sensor to engage the water. Sometimes this is like sticking a square peg into a triangle hole with all the finageling and finger waving you must do. Some sinks are like a math problem, finding the right angle of entry and quadrant for positioning from the faucet so you don’t get your midriff sprayed at the same time. Again, I wonder at the need for these faucets? Who can’t figure out how to operate a basic bathroom sink?
Once you’ve found the correct entry point for the water, you must do the same with the soap dispenser and then hold very still while you lather up and rinse because, if you move your forearm or wrist just enough, you’ll get another squirt of soap on your sleeve and then have to re-calculate faucet entry again. Please dear readers, be very careful at the sink station. Apparently we’ve raising a society of really stupid people who can’t seem to figure out how to dispense soap.
And finally, we arrive at the paper towel area which is ususally surrounded by a huge pool of water from dripping hands and sleeves and midriffs while people frantically wave their arms in front of the machine to get the paper to come out. Now, if you’re lucky at the paper towal dispenser, you’ll get more than a 3 inch strip of toweling with which to dry your hands and soaking sleeves, still sudsy from the over-achieving soap dispenser. If you’re not so lucky, you’ll need to wait a few seconds and wave your arms again for a second equally small slice of paper. Do this enough times and you’re hands will have drip dried onto the floor and there won’t be any need for additional stips of towel. Perhaps that’s the ultimate goal of these stingy dispensers; simply let the hands air dry.
And so I ask, are these devices making our lives easier? Do you prefer automated bathrooms or good old-fashioned hands on restrooms? I’d love to hear your automated bathroom story. Don’t be bashful, let’s get this out in the open and discuss it.
Word of the Day: Hegira
Fun Fact about me: Like Laverne (Laverne & Shirley), I like milk and Pepsi.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I’ve been in that same place, feeling like an idiot because I can’t do the correct magic hand move to get the water on. Or almost falling into the toilet when it flushes by itself before all business was done. But I do get the sanitary point…you don’t have to touch the same flush button, water button, and towel button where a zillion other dirty hands have gone before. Pepsi and milk? Ew.
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I get the concept behind the invention, I just wish they functioned better. It is a wake-up call indeed when the toilet flushes before you’re done. I think it’s a control issue for me. I will be the one who decides when to flush.
Have you ever tried Pepsi and milk? I double dog dare you.
Thanks for stopping by on Columbus Day!
Patricia
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Well that was quite the potty rant! And re the pepsi and milk ~ Could we have a coke float instead?
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Why yes we can have a Coke float and how yummy of you to ask.
I wasn’t really ranting, just expressing my opinion about the silliness of such devices. Personally, I don’t see the need.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Thanksgiving my Canadian friend!
Patricia
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I am with you. I prefer the old-school facilities – the ones with the handles to flush, a handle to turn the faucet and adjust the warmth of the water, and the pull type paper towels. the new-fangled automated ones never seem to work well. AND I do not like hand dryers, never gets them dry enough. Hope you are enjoying a beautiful western Mississippi fall.
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Ah, yes, the hand dryers. They have these new high-powered ones now that practically peel the skin off your hands, but they do a nice job of drying. I understand that paper towels deplete our forests, but . . . they are efficient for drying hands.
Yes I am enjoying fall here in Mississippi and thanks for mentioning it. With cooler weather come more tourists, which in turn brings more business to the Baer House, so I’m not complaining about a thing.
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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I, on the other hand, prefer to use the automated in public. I tend to be a germaphobe so this method makes the most sense to me. Although I must say I do not like the blow dryers. All that does is blow the germs that have propagated from the floor. Yuck. At home, this is an entirely different subject.
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Karen, I understand the concept behind the automated facilities, my gripe is that they never seem to function properly. I guess I just want it all.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a lovely week.
Patricia
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Great Post! I’m sort of a germaphobe too. I like NOT having to touch handles etc that other people who may or may not be sick or clean have touched. However, sitting on the toilet when it flushes repeatedly is not wonderful. I never did touch the toilet handles in the ‘old days” I always used my foot to push the handle to flush. Also, I read an article in a medical magazine that said the best way for drying hands germ free is the hands free paper towel dispenser. The air ones blow germs around and the ones you slide your hands in and out to dry are more powerful and blow even more germs around the bathroom.
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I like the hands free paper towel dispensers, I just wish they gave you sufficient paper to actually dry your hands instead of having to hang out there and wave your hands 2 or 3 times in order to get enough to actually dry with. And the puddles of water left on the floor are down right dangerous.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Patricia
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I’ve found waving your hand slower rather than faster works best for getting the paper out quickly.
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LOL funny post. And so true. At Cumberland Gap National Park, there was a toilet that must have flushed every four seconds. Not fun! But the devices I really hate are the faucets where you push to start, then they shut off automatically. They never stay on long enough to rinse!
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Ggggrrrr – I know what you mean about those sinks. Frustrating. Just let me turn on the handle.
And the constantly flushing toilet is just a big ole waste of water. You get soaked trying to pee.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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