The Grooming Guys Blog

As you might have guessed, the Grooming Guys are a bit obsessed with cleanliness, appearance and sanitation. Hence, it’s been more than a few times that we’ve sat in our D.C. offices to review proper public bathroom protocol, complain about bathroom etiquette infringers and detail how a true gentlemen can exit such a locale gracefully without actually touching anything or picking up every germ know to mankind. 

So, with that said, here is the Grooming Guys step-by-step instructions for a proper and nearly hands-free bathroom experience.

 - STEP #1 (RECEPTICAL SELECTION):  Whether a urinal or a stall, it goes without saying that there’s always the need to follow the “Rule of 1,” meaning a man never steps to the urinal or stall directly next to an occupied one if other options are available.  Furthermore, if a receptacle two or more spots away from the closest user is available, such increased distance is always suggested and appreciated by all.

 - STEP #2 (FLUSHING): If it’s a sensored, automatically flushing toilet, you’re in luck and please proceed directly to STEP #3.  If it’s a manual, old-school version, this is where it gets tricky.  The goal here is to not make direct hand-to-lever contact.  So, if it’s a stall, our rules demand flushing be done with the bottom of the shoe, bracing oneself against the stall wall with a shoulder or such to ensure maximum stability.  For a urinal, a covered/clothed elbow is always the proper level-pushing mechanism.  Should you be wearing short sleeves — just leave flushing for the next guy.

 - STEP # 3 (HAND WASHING): If said bathroom is enlightened enough to feature sensored, automatic water and soap dispensers, please skip to STEP #4.  If manual devices are present, brace yourself for some work. The logical first step in the washing process is to turn the water on, doing so with the knowledge that your hands will be cleansed shortly thereafter.  With water on, manual soap is dispensed and then followed by intense scrubbing and rinsing.  When hands are clean and near raw, the final hurdle is presented, which focuses on turning the water off without re-contaminating the hands. There are two options available here. a) If paper towels are available, one should be grabbed, wrapped around the dominant hand and used to turn off the water or b) If it’s a hippie-joint with no paper, use the covered elbow as in STEP #2.

 - STEP #4 (DRYING):  This step is beyond important and if ignored, can ruin STEPS # 1-3. Listen up. Use paper towels or one-time-use cotton towels if offered, but under no circumstances use hand dryers.  The amount of floating germs and other disasters these dryers throw off not only at your hands, but also at your face is unconscionable. If such air dryers are the only option, create your own air dryer via a little shaking over the sink and let the non-forced around outside the bathroom do the rest.

 - STEP #5 (THE EXIT): Crunch time here fellas.  A man always wants to exit gracefully and doing so means not ruining all the hard work done prior by grabbing a handle bare handed.  So, if it’s a pull handle and towels are available, wrap one around the stronger hand, open the door and dispose of said towel in an outside-the-loo receptacle.  If no towels are available, use a covered shoulder or elbow to force the door open to freedom.

Repeat as necessary and thanks for visiting www.groominglounge.com.