Have you noticed the different ways one can dry their hands in a public bathroom?

Here are a few that I have encountered.

1. The push button blower.

You know the one. Push the button, hold your hands below the chute and rub your hands together. The air comes out of this thing that resembles a hand held hair dryer and works basically the same. It is usually loud and anyone outside the bathroom waiting with their legs crossed for you to finish knows exactly where in the process you are. As soon as they hear that dryer stop, that door had better open.

2. The paper towels either on the counter in a stack or in the holder on the wall.

You know the ones. They are placed high enough on the wall so that water from your wet hands drips down to your elbows. Most of the time, these are either empty or so full that you have to pull, tug and wrestle a couple of towels out. Once you get some out, more than you need usually, you place some of them on the counter for the next person. Hands now dry, you keep one just to open the door so that your ‘clean and dry hands’ do not touch the contaminated handle.

3. The New Fangled Hand dryer

This one is interesting as it is usually lower on the wall. Thankfully, your hands don’t drip water down your arms but only all over the floor as you walk to the wall unit. The dryer comes on automatically as you place your hands between the two sections allowing the air to flow all around your hands. I think there is even a sensor in it that knows when your hands are dry!

4. The auto paper towel dispenser

(yes, these too are often placed too high on the wall)

Oh, these are fun and ones of which I have made a study. I’m not sure who sets the length of the paper to be dispensed but it varies widely from establishment to establishment. Each dispenser has an electronic eye that senses your need for a towel. A section of paper is apportioned. Routinely, the amount disbursed is not nearly enough to fully dry one’s hands. Another pass at the electronic eye (After a brief wait) and the second equally insufficient towel is ready for the taking. Sometimes, a third pass at the eye is necessary.

I have come across only one dispenser in my LONG study of these dastardly dispensers that distributed an amount almost perfect. No second pass was needed. It was awesome. I couldn’t believe my luck. One pass, and the perfect amount was there for the taking.

My conclusion?

A woman must have been in charge of setting the paper amount!

The machines were put in the restrooms to help control waste of paper yet, by not setting the appropriate paper length, more is being used and wasted.

I may say something the next time I encounter a 3 sheeter. Anyone care to join me?

Frances Graziano Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved