Saturday, July 8

Don't Touch!

One of my (many) irrationalities is my fear of public surfaces. For example consider The Tube. There are two types of travelers: those who hold on to bars and handles to steady themselves on bumpy ride, and those who don't. I fall firmly into the latter group - and then some.

There's no real reason for this behaviour. I mean, I won't start sucking my fingers or touching food to be eaten when I'm out, no matter how clean my hands are. I'll always wash my hands first thing when I get home or on arrival to the office (which has given me a weird habit of washing my hands before I go to the bog), so it wouldn't matter if they did get dirty on the way anyway. There's just something about touching things that thousands of others may have that makes me go "ew" (although thinking about it now I wouldn't want to contaminate my iPod, DS or whichever book I'm reading at the time either).

Dealing with this fear can help one develop many skills, both mental and physical. For instance, I can ride a bus or train keeping impeccable balance while standing. I've also developed a sixth sense for detecting germs - I'll never use my fingers to press the button to call a lift or enter PINs. If I do have to touch something (you know, in order to save the life of a baby or something), then I'll subconsciously avoid touching anything of my own till I clean my hands.

Someone (who I've happened to know for around five years now) was just having a go at me today for being a bit paranoid. Now this might be irrational (and it's certainly impractical), but I'm inconveniencing no one but myself. And if it takes someone five years to realise this habit of mine, then it's not like I'm visibly acting strangely.

I blame my mother (of course), but I don't see this as a bad thing. When you see the toilet habits of those in a regular office, you begin to realise how unhygienic people are. Now, I'm all for the freedom of one to be, erm, dirty, but that doesn't mean I'm going to join in with the fun. No thank you. And at least when you shake my hand you know you won't contract a disease (or eight).

6 comments:

  1. ha i know this habit of yours only too well seeing as you usually end up telling me off for touching things as i walk etc :)

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  2. Obsessive compulsive disorder, they call it, lol.

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  3. omg..i agree w/ u! i just moved to nyc, where public transportation is like what you guys have in London...and eww i can't stand touching things! I don't think ur nuts, because ppl are nasty and Z, San & Khadiijah, if you guys just stopped to think about what person may have touched that handal (after doing god knows what) ya guys would start being OCD too!

    but then again that reminds me... i recently had a bit of a mishap w/ my need to stand w/o holding onto anything :S lol

    ws...

    madiha

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  4. ahhh u bully...thanks for reminding me of that...i did something else pretty embarrassing (& sad) recently. :S lol

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  5. Purell makes Pocket size bottles of Hand Sanitizers, I have a few. Its 99% bacteria killing and leaves hands feeling clean and fresh.. smells a little like dettol but then thats better then having a million and one goobies on your hand yeah.. comes in aloe vera and one just natural blend.. Look into it, i know theres nothing better then the good ol soap and water but this is just a safety precaution... :)

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  6. If I have to, I use my sleeve to open doors.

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