The photo above (source unknown) heads a Reddit thread which includes observations from lots of people re their experiences working in grocery stores and other commercial venues. It's a mix of horror stories and counterclaims that nothing in this world should be assumed to be clean, including the floor of your own home. Perhaps this is a subject you would rather not be informed about...
Given that you see children standing in supermarket trolleys, they (the trolleys, though the kids too) are hardly likely to be clean. Who knows what they've trodden in previously. Changing a baby like that isn't something I'd do, or like done, but with the mat underneath and all, it's probably not going to make anything much worse.
ReplyDeleteAs gross as all this discussion is, I don't see people dropping like flies at supermarkets because of diseases they catch from the carts.
ReplyDeleteAs a new parent, my tolerance of yuck has increased quite a bit.
LOL! Your comment reminds me of something I read in a book (a "guy's" guide to babies) about kids and cleanliness. Goes something like this:
DeleteChild #1 drops soother on floor. You pick it up immediately, carefully wash it, then boil it for five minutes and let cool.
When the following child drops her/his soother on the floor, you run it under some hot water before handing it back to them.
By the time child #3 comes along and drops their soother on the floor, you just kick it back to them.
And I was going to say about the photo: At least she has a blanket under the baby (although I expect that's more for the baby's comfort!).
Maybe you gave up, but my mum did not. As a result, we had fewer "colds", "stomach flu" and "flu" bouts than otherwise. Relying entirely on the human immune system is clearly not advised. See the plagues across time. So, what we should rely on is our immune system coupled with our intellect to do whatever is in our power to force multiply it--not toss in the towel when it doesn't seem to make an immediate difference to our non-scientific mind in the instant. --A.
DeleteI've read that you should not place fresh fruit/vegetables/any food that will not be cooked in the "seat" of the grocery cart because some toddlers/small children have leaky diapers.
ReplyDeleteAppalling AND hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThat thread on reddit got me rolling!
That photo reminded me of this study...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health/2011-03-02-grocerycarts_N.htm
...and it helps explain the results.
And this is why grocery carts are some of the most filthy things on the planet.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a lot of stores are offering sanitizing wipes at the entrance. I hadn't considered using them until now...
DeleteWal*Mart
ReplyDeleteThe massive SUV
The troops ribbon magnet (made in China)
The obesity
The gross act itself..
This pic needs some Lee Greenwood playing along with it.
Well that's some of the best xenophobic stereotyping I've seen in a random hateration comment in a while. Congrats. --A.
DeleteI think the Benny Hill soundtrack would be much more fun.
DeleteWell that's some of the best xenophobic stereotyping I've seen in a random hateration comment in a while. Congrats. --A.
DeleteAnd that's some of the most unconvincing trolling I've seen as well.
Aw, you're just sayin' that cos your troll got called out. But maybe you were being sincere, so, yay you. --A.
DeleteYou know those stacks of sales flyers they have in stands next to the entrance? Pick up a handful and casually spread them around in the basket as liners. The wipes are flimsy and leave everything wet for far too long. I doubt they have any alcohol at all. I've watched a nasty skank incubator unit leave a used diaper in the basket, while I'm looking at her, waiting for a parking space. Appalling. That should be a steep fine, because that's a biowaste spill. It's worse than a person crapping on the sidewalk. Humans suck. --A.
ReplyDeletealso, the carts are used by employee's when they clean the bathrooms, (for supplies and to hold all the trash) and also when they pull any trash from the cans. and nobody ever cleans them. (used to drive me crazy at work. i would disinfect the carts and everyone would look confused)
ReplyDeleteI've read studies that indicate that exposing children to random germs actually strengthens their immune systems. My mother was a clean freak, and I got sick from the slightest exposure. If grocery carts are so terribly insanitary, why are we not all terribly ill every time we shop?
ReplyDeleteSo many other options for her...back seat of the car, front seat reclined, trunk/storage area at the back of the car, walk back into the store to use the restroom with the baby changing station...
ReplyDeleteOne good point is the blanket she used under the baby.
*sigh*
This is why I only shop with handbaskets.
ReplyDeletePeople touch the handbaskets after changing their children in the car. The handbaskets seldom stand out in the weather being "cleaned" by rain and sunlight (uv does get some of the pesky germs). No safe shelter from germs when you touch what other people have touched.
DeletePeople with kids do not use hand baskets. --A.
DeleteI'm shocked by how offended everyone is. I looked at this picture and said, "wow, I never considered that..." It looks so much easier and cleaner than sitting on the floor of the bathroom using my legs as a table for the baby.
ReplyDeleteyeah, cleaner for who?
DeleteMore reasons that I am happy to pay extra elsewhere. Gosh what a magnet that place is.
ReplyDeleteBeing of able body, I tend to park farther away from store entrances so the the elderly and weak have easier access (was injured once and learned how every step closer helps).
Anyway, I often would snag a cart that had not been put away because it was no trouble on my part and may save someone a door ding.
I stopped doing this after my best friend offered this tome: "People who don't push in their carts likely do not wash their hands after wiping their arses".