Public toilets are never clean enough.
Even when you can pass out from the bleach smell.
You can never fully trust them.
So we have to get creative with our flushing.
Case in point…
Redditor kill4kandy wanted to discuss their story for some feedback. So naturally they came to visit the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit.
They asked:
“AITA for using my shoe to flush a toilet?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“The offending toilet handle.”
“So, this seems rather dumb.”
“I was out having lunch at a restaurant with friends.”
“I had to use the facilities and a friend came with me.”
“I guess she saw me through the crack in the door or whatever because she asked me why I kicked my leg up in the stall.”
“I said I was flushing the toilet.”
“I like to keep from possibly touching someone else’s bodily fluid residue or fecal matter if I can.”
“Even if I’m going to wash my hands directly afterwards. She got offended??”
“She said it was an a**hole thing to do.”
“I asked why and she said because some people can’t wash their hands after using the restroom.”
“Of course I asked who and she said ‘elderly, small children and people with disabilities.'”
“This is news to me because I know people in each category and I’m pretty sure they can wash their hands after using the restroom.”
“And besides, even if they couldn’t, they are getting germs on their fingers either way.”
“She said it’s still an a**hole thing to do regardless, but I don’t think so.”
“Sorry, I forgot to say that she claims the bottoms of shoes are dirtier than hands that have germs after cleaning with toilet paper.”
“AITA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed some options to the question AITA?:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared our OP was NOT the A**hole.
It’s a tricky situation.
Let’s hear some thoughts…
“NTA.”
“1- Your friend’s point doesn’t even make sense.”
“2- WHY WAS SHE LOOKING THROUGH THE BATHROOM’S DOOR????” ~ alolnoto121314
“All I got to say is, I’ve used my foot an uncountable number of times to flush a public toilet.”
“If it’s got the long stick out toggle flush handle, it get’s the shoe. NTA.” ~ Throwawayhater3343
“NTA, I thought this was a relatively common thing to do.” ~ lovelylimdis
“NTA. Even if your friend’s point was in any way valid”
“I think I’d much rather have the dirt from somebody’s shoes on the toilet handle than any body fluids or matter if I used my hand to flush the toilet.”
“But I also use my shoe to flush the toilet whenever I possibly can.” ~ GladDistrsdakmskaldm
“I honestly don’t know why foot operated flush pedals aren’t a thing yet.”
“I never use my hands to flush a public toilet!” ~ pipptypops
“Always do it that way.”
“My kiddos aren’t adept at it yet.”
“So I’ll just pop into their stall when they’re done and foot-flush it myself.”
“I honestly cannot remember the last time I touched a flush handle.”
“I mean, I even perform some serious acts of balance and high-kick type maneuvers to even foot-flush those toilets that have the flush handle placed absurdly high, lol.” ~ BestestBruja
“I would just like to point out… the toilet paper is almost always within range of the toilet.”
“That means when they flush that toilet paper is being doused with feces and pee particles either way.”
“Not much cleaner in reality especially since toilet paper does not actually protect you from germs like that.” ~ mathmaticallycorrect
“NTA. Using your foot to flush a public toilet is common.”
“The whole notion that there are people who can’t wash their hands is silly.”
“Most will have help if they can’t do it alone.” ~ Savbav
“NTA. This is how I flush public toilets too.”
“And there is no reason why the elderly, the disabled, or children cannot wash their hands.”
“And why was your friend watching you through the stall door??” ~ captqueefheart
“So, have this thought.”
“Now instead of getting those particles on your hands, where you then wash them off and down the sink, they’re on the bottom of your shoe.”
“Where you’ll track them around and potentially into your car and your home.”
“Here is what your friend was trying to say.”
“Not that some people can’t wash their hands, but that now everything you’ve stepped in is on that flusher.”
“For someone who walks in and has to use their hand to flush.”
“Also, the flushers are not made to be stepped on.”
“So they wear out faster when everyone steps on them instead of just using their hands.”
“Finally… All that stuff you’re worried about touching?”
“It’s getting on you anyway when you flush because most public toilets don’t have lids.”
“No judgment here, just things to think about.” ~ Logical-Wasabi7402
“Exactly. If you don’t want to touch the handle, use a piece of toilet paper to hold it.”
“If you are quick you can drop it in the toilet as it flushes but if not you can put it in the bin on the way out.”
“Same with the door handle.”
“That way, you don’t have to touch things you feel are dirty.”
“And you avoid putting your dirty shoes on things that are not designed to be operated by foot and which other people will be touching.” ~ ProfessorYaffle1
“When I worked at a restaurant the toilet handles would break all the time leaving an unflushable bowl of crap for the staff to deal with.”
“And it’s all because of a**holes who kick the toilet handle.”
“Just use some toilet paper or something ffs.YTA.”
“Your friend is also creepy for looking but still YTA.” ~ dcmng
“YTA. Her reasoning is… wild… but now everyone who doesn’t have the dexterity or balance to do what you did has to touch everything your shoe has touched.”
“You’re just as capable of washing your hands as they are, and anything there is probably on the door handle/lock as well.”
“And you can’t maneuver those with your foot.” ~ inkpaperdream
“I’ve never understood the foot-flush thing.”
“What’s the big deal about touching the handle?”
“You’re going to wash your hands after you exit the stall, right?”
“Whatever is on someone’s gross hands is going to be on the stall door too.”
“And you have to touch that with your hand to get out, so just use the handle as it was meant to be used: with your hand.” ~ iolarah
“YTA. The custodians at my job had to actually post signs in our restrooms specifically telling people to stop flushing the toilets with their feet.”
“Because it was breaking the handle mechanisms and that had to constantly repair/replace them!” ~ Current-Photo2857
“If you’re washing your hands, any germs you pick up from hitting the flush handle shouldn’t matter.”
“Unless you could see shit smeared across the handle with your unaided eyes, YTA.” ~ genus-corvidae
“How are there so many AHs?”
“This is how things break and get disgusting to begin wIth!”
“You’d be better off to use soap and water/hand sanitizer or toilet paper as a barrier.”
“There are plenty of garbages around if you can’t flick it into the bowl in time.”
“You’re going to have to touch doors on the way out anyway, or do you all kick those down too?”
“Shame on your friend for being in position to see that though.”
“Thats not cool. I guess ESH.” ~ grumlewhump
“NTA. Your friend needs to stop white-knighting on behalf of the disabled community.”
“If she’s going to make ignorant assumptions about disabled people not washing their hands when they go to the toilet.” ~ wildmstie
“YTA. Maybe it depends on what country you’re from but that is legitimately the weirdest, grossest thing I’ve heard.”
“And can definitely cause hookworm and other various issues for people who flush a toilet in the normal way.” ~ Helia-axis
“YTA, let´s just bump every door and put our feet on everything because we are afraid of germs.”
“Use elbows, use some toilet paper or aything else if you don’t want to touch it with your hands.”
“But if it was meant to be generated by foot, the button would be down to the feet area.”
“It’s just common sense, someone is going there to clean the place and you doing as you do is just inconsiderate toward the others.”
“Would you feel comfortable going in a toilet booth where you can see boot marks on everything?!”
“I don’t know in which country you’re from but in Europe you’re 200% A for this.” ~ silv1377
“YTA. Your friend is right that the soles of shoes are dirtier than hands.”
“And toilets weren’t designed to be flushed with feet (unless there’s a foot pedal close to the ground) so you risk breaking the toilet.”
“Next time, wrap a bit of toilet paper around your figure and use it to flush.” ~ cpagali
OP, Reddit understands your methods.
Many of us probably do.
Public toilets have always been germ mecca.
There really is no public way to flush.
What’s most concerning?
Why is your friend a toilet spy?