Do you consider yourself a clean person? You probably wash your hands and avoid obvious messes. However, you might be surprised by the germ-filled habits you practice every day without a second thought. Reddit users recently exposed the most common unhygienic behaviors, and the results are both shocking and incredibly relatable.
Our Daily Germ Gauntlet
First, we navigate a world filled with invisible germs. People constantly move through shared spaces, touching surfaces used by countless others. For example, many of us use public transportation to get to work or school. Yet, we often forget to wash our hands upon arrival, bringing those germs into our homes and offices. This oversight is more common than you might think.
“a lot of people don’t wash their hands when they arrive somewhere after using public transport”
Furthermore, public restrooms remain a major area of concern. Despite constant reminders, many people still skip washing their hands. This simple act is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness. Nevertheless, it is frequently ignored by a surprising number of individuals.
“I see peeps walk out of the restroom without washing their hands all the time.”
The Hygiene Paradox
Additionally, our attempts at cleanliness can sometimes be contradictory. We create a false sense of security through well-intentioned but flawed actions. For instance, food service workers often wear gloves to prepare your meal. However, they might then handle dirty cash with those same gloves, completely defeating the purpose. This creates a hygiene paradox where the solution becomes part of the problem.
“People making your lunch in gloves to keep the germs off the food, then take your dirty cash with the clean gloves”
Moreover, this confusion extends into our own kitchens. You might think you are being careful by placing a tortilla on its own packaging instead of the counter. In reality, the outside of that package has traveled from the factory to the store shelf to your cart. It is likely covered in more germs than your clean countertop.
“The outsides of grocery packaging *are not clean,* people. <8-(“
Reclaiming Your Cleanliness
Therefore, achieving better hygiene is about building mindful habits. It does not require extreme measures, just small, consistent changes. One great strategy is to think proactively. For example, wash your hands *before* you unload clean dishes from the dishwasher. This ensures you are not transferring germs onto the items you will eat from later.
“I always wash my hands before unloading the dishwasher and putting clean dishes away… If I’m going to eat off of them later, I want to make sure my hands are clean before I put them away!”
Finally, you can adopt other simple but effective practices. Always flush the toilet with the lid down to prevent the spread of aerosolized particles. Be mindful of cross-contamination from phones, money, and packaging. These small adjustments can significantly reduce your daily exposure to germs and lead to a healthier environment for everyone.
