Cover your mouth when you do that
Aug 7th, 2005, 06:48 PM
#1
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Cover your mouth when you do that
Yesterday, there was a man standing next to me who sneezed a good sneeze without covering his mouth. Got out of there as quickly as I could.
Today, I was trying to print one picture from a Japan trip from a CD at one of the Kodak self serve machines at a camera store. It was very slow and I was not happy about it. At the machine next to me was a woman printing out several baby snapshots. She sneezed three times in quick succession without covering her mouth. Her hands were free. She said something to me, "amazing, isn't it?", I suppose in reference to the slowness of the machine. I was glad I was standing back from the machine (lest I kick it). I didn't reply to her because I was disgusted by the sneezing and just didn't know what to say. Six hour later, I came up with a reply: you should cover your mouth when you do that at home so that you don't give your cold to your new baby.
On 12/31/02 I was on a flight from Brazil to the U.S. Was waiting my turn for the lavatory when a guy came up and stood right across the aisle from me, two feet away. He stood there facing me, opened his mouth, and coughed without covering his mouth with his hand. A second before that I had started a big yawn and was inhaling. Was I bright enough to cover my mouth when I did that? No. Six weeks later I am in the hospital with pneumonia, "close to death", and I think I got the bug on that plane.
Today, I was trying to print one picture from a Japan trip from a CD at one of the Kodak self serve machines at a camera store. It was very slow and I was not happy about it. At the machine next to me was a woman printing out several baby snapshots. She sneezed three times in quick succession without covering her mouth. Her hands were free. She said something to me, "amazing, isn't it?", I suppose in reference to the slowness of the machine. I was glad I was standing back from the machine (lest I kick it). I didn't reply to her because I was disgusted by the sneezing and just didn't know what to say. Six hour later, I came up with a reply: you should cover your mouth when you do that at home so that you don't give your cold to your new baby.
On 12/31/02 I was on a flight from Brazil to the U.S. Was waiting my turn for the lavatory when a guy came up and stood right across the aisle from me, two feet away. He stood there facing me, opened his mouth, and coughed without covering his mouth with his hand. A second before that I had started a big yawn and was inhaling. Was I bright enough to cover my mouth when I did that? No. Six weeks later I am in the hospital with pneumonia, "close to death", and I think I got the bug on that plane.
Aug 8th, 2005, 01:47 PM
#3
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Sneezing does not automatically mean that one has a cold - you do understand that, right? It could mean one has allergies or that there is just a large amount of dust in the air. I know that I have a very sensitive dust allergies, and other air-borne allergies, that can bring about sneezing. No cold. No illness. Nothing that can spread to another person.
But yes. Covering one's mouth while sneezing (and also while yawning, btw) is considered the polite thing to do.
But yes. Covering one's mouth while sneezing (and also while yawning, btw) is considered the polite thing to do.
Aug 8th, 2005, 01:52 PM
#4
Just gross. Some people have no manners. I am with you mrwunrfl. I hate when people don't use manners or common courtesy when out in public. Do as you wish in your own home. Just don't give it to me!!!
Aug 8th, 2005, 01:55 PM
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Not that I approve or promote not covering your mouth, but coughing and sneezing is not always a sign of something contagious.
With one co-worker we have probably different allergies or different reaction - he sneezes, I cough. When on a bus tour, I always warn people sitting around me: it's allergy, not cold.
I take a vitamin C pill every day (500 mg), maybe that's why I haven't had a cold or a fly for several years now. Or maybe none of the self-respecting bacterias enters my body.
With one co-worker we have probably different allergies or different reaction - he sneezes, I cough. When on a bus tour, I always warn people sitting around me: it's allergy, not cold.
I take a vitamin C pill every day (500 mg), maybe that's why I haven't had a cold or a fly for several years now. Or maybe none of the self-respecting bacterias enters my body.
Aug 8th, 2005, 02:02 PM
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Yeah, sneezing like that is just gross and rude. Cough, sneeze, yawn, or burp--but cover your darn mouth!! And if you are not somewhere you have access to a sink and can wash your hands (w/soap, of course...none of that rinse and walk stuff, please) then do try to sneeze into you sleeve or something b/c anything you touch after that is going to spread any germs. You may not be sick but we all carry germs...
I teach and am almost a maniac about this kind of stuff.I wash my hand A LOT during the day and it definately has helped me not to catch every bug.
I teach and am almost a maniac about this kind of stuff.I wash my hand A LOT during the day and it definately has helped me not to catch every bug.
Aug 8th, 2005, 02:09 PM
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I also teach -- if you can't cough/sneeze into a tissue use your sleeve. This is what is currently being taught! Washing your hands with soap and water whenever possible is a great way to prevent illness.
Aug 8th, 2005, 02:11 PM
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Gosh, even the youngest child can learn good hygiene skills. Too bad some adults missed those lessons, lol.
I'm with you mrwunrfl! I have been "sprayed" many times and it's just plain disgusting.
Sneeze into your sleeve, that way you can minimize spreading your germs (when opening doors, etc). It shouldn't matter if you have a cold or allergies, people should cover their mouths.
It is also recommended to wash with plain soap and water whenever possible (the debate on the immune system and anti-bacterial soaps is ongoing). But I always carry a hand sanitizer with me just in case I can't get to a sink.
I'm with you mrwunrfl! I have been "sprayed" many times and it's just plain disgusting.
Sneeze into your sleeve, that way you can minimize spreading your germs (when opening doors, etc). It shouldn't matter if you have a cold or allergies, people should cover their mouths.
It is also recommended to wash with plain soap and water whenever possible (the debate on the immune system and anti-bacterial soaps is ongoing). But I always carry a hand sanitizer with me just in case I can't get to a sink.
Aug 8th, 2005, 02:24 PM
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Patrick,
My dad always carries a handkerchief too (not saying you guys are the same age BTW
I've tried to convince him to carry the pocket packs of Kleenex. The idea of using a handkerchief sort of skeeves me. It seems to me that a nice, disposible tissue after a sneeze would be preferable and more sanitary but he's quite happy w/his washable handkerchief. Guess it's still better than those sneeze and sprayers!!!
My dad always carries a handkerchief too (not saying you guys are the same age BTW
I've tried to convince him to carry the pocket packs of Kleenex. The idea of using a handkerchief sort of skeeves me. It seems to me that a nice, disposible tissue after a sneeze would be preferable and more sanitary but he's quite happy w/his washable handkerchief. Guess it's still better than those sneeze and sprayers!!!
Aug 8th, 2005, 02:57 PM
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OWJ
I am so with you on this. My husband always has a hankerchief, as does his brother, their Mom always made the boys carry one. I have, for years, tried to talk him into disposable tissues. I cannot think carrying around a germ infested piece of cotton all day when you could just pitch a tissue in the trash would be so hard to adjust to. And besides that, I wash those things every week!!!
I am so with you on this. My husband always has a hankerchief, as does his brother, their Mom always made the boys carry one. I have, for years, tried to talk him into disposable tissues. I cannot think carrying around a germ infested piece of cotton all day when you could just pitch a tissue in the trash would be so hard to adjust to. And besides that, I wash those things every week!!!
Aug 8th, 2005, 03:00 PM
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I work and travel with a 70's-ish and very distinguished gentleman who always has a handkerchief in his pocket every day (clean and monogrammed), and he uses it often. But Patrick, he is the ONLY man I have ever known who carried one besides my father. I like the idea, and it is an accessory that a man can use, and can even be fashionable aside from being functional (Perry Ellis makes some great plaid mens hankies- I just bought some for a male friend as a present, but I doubt he'll use them).
BTY- I do some work in the antibacterial area and the studies done show that the antibacterial gels DO WORK as well, and can even work better, than washing ones hands to eradicate bacteria. Most people don't wash their hands effectively, and many restrooms don't have the hot (not tepid) water and soap available to do the job. But then there's always the other stuff you have to touch in the bathroom...just think what people do when no one is watching if they are sneezing in mrwunrfl's face at point blank.
Ok, enough already. I'm done.
BTY- I do some work in the antibacterial area and the studies done show that the antibacterial gels DO WORK as well, and can even work better, than washing ones hands to eradicate bacteria. Most people don't wash their hands effectively, and many restrooms don't have the hot (not tepid) water and soap available to do the job. But then there's always the other stuff you have to touch in the bathroom...just think what people do when no one is watching if they are sneezing in mrwunrfl's face at point blank.
Ok, enough already. I'm done.
Aug 8th, 2005, 03:06 PM
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What has amazed me is that many of my students will ask to use my hand sanitizer (huge bottle right beside the classroom door) when they sneeze or before they head to lunch. I've announced on numerous occasions that I have purchased it for EVERYONE to use and permission is not needed to use the sanitizer. I am thrilled that they are polite enough to ask and even more excited that they USE it!
Aug 8th, 2005, 03:10 PM
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cd--Do you iron the hankerchiefs also? I remember my mother teaching me the right way to iron them. I wonder if there is a true right way or not, lol! Anyway, my dad still uses them, but DH I don't think would consider it.
I tought our kids when they were very little to cough, sneeze, whatever...into their elbow if they did not have a tissue nearby.
I tought our kids when they were very little to cough, sneeze, whatever...into their elbow if they did not have a tissue nearby.
Aug 8th, 2005, 03:16 PM
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I guess I see the point about tissues over a handkerchief except that I rarely sneeze when standing right next to a trash can. Am I then supposed to carry the used tissue around until I come across one, or should I jam it into my pocket? A wet, used tissue is far nastier than a cloth used handkerchief in my opinion. I keep my handkerchief folded and use the "pages" of it for each use -- rarely more than two a day. I was originally mainly referring to the handkerchief as what I pull out and hold over my mouth and nose when I sneeze or cough -- that isn't exactly "filling it up", and if some "fluid" is involved, I'd much rather have it end up in my handkerchief than in my bare hand -- talk about disgusting! If I have a major cold, I'll carry some tissues. Sorry, but I fail to see why a used tissue in your pocket is any worse than a used handkerchief -- and aren't we pretty much immune to our own germs anyway?
Aug 8th, 2005, 04:06 PM
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You have some valid points, Patrick. I think the thing that weirds me out the most is when I was a kid and needed to sneeze or blow my nose. My dad would give me his handkerchief lest I infected the whole world. Of course, he had to then carefully put it back in his pocket, poor guy...but guess that's what dad's are for!
