September 5, 2008
DEAR ABBY: My sister-in-law, “Carol,” doesn't wash her hands after changing diapers. I find it repulsive, and I can't help but cringe. I have also noticed that her kids don't wash their hands after using the bathroom – or any other time, for that matter – unless instructed to do so and closely watched. Even then, they don't use soap.
Carol wonders why her family is always sick. If I say anything to her, I'm sure she'll become defensive or dismiss it as the cause of their illness. Is there a polite, yet firm, way to say something?
– Increasingly Germophobic,
Kenosha, Wis.
Dear Detective Cheddar Monk,
Normally I would take the time to have some fun with you life-phobic sterilize everything types, I enjoy watching you folks turn green when your Felix Unger Urge takes over. The germs that we interface with everyday cannot all be washed away. That said, Cr-Abby draws the line and sides with you in the battle to fend off E-Coli.
How's your brothers hygienic regimen? Perhaps a chat with Bro will create a cascading effect on the "great unwashed" within his family. You can try to subtlety and set a good example.
-or-
If you want to be a terrific sister-in-law...volunteer to change "Baby Hazardous Waste" yourself when visiting. Then when you finish the valiant deed you can very conspicuously wash your hands...you know like come back from the changing table and into the family room and then do the Oops, I forgot to wash my hands "fake mistake" thing.
You can also play Drill Sergeant Auntie when the little nephews and nieces visit you on their own.
As a last resort you have to engage and call out the poop passing peril at hand.
Good Luck,
Cr-Abby.
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