Automatic Paper Towel Dispensers in Restrooms

I am a technology lover and I would have never thought that technology could actually hinder personal hygeine but guess what it has. Properly washing and drying ones hands after a trip to the restroom is critical in keeping clean not to mention avoiding sickness. In the old days, there was a manual dispenser that would allow you to take the appropriate number of paper towels to effectively dry your hands. That was nice.

Now, we have the automatic dispenser that requires you to place your hands in front of it. Once you have done that it will dispense one tiny paper towel. The size of the towel is depicted in the photo to the right. (It is really too bad that I couldn't get the hottie holding the paper towel in this photo. Unfortunately, for the women out there, he chose not to be pictured) Back to the small paper towel size: It wouldn't be so bad if you could quickly obtain another towel but it is not that easy. This technological wonder senses that the same hands are craving more paper towels so you have to trick it into thinking that "new hands" have appeared.

Each time I have to trick the dispenser it costs me about 30 seconds of my life. First, I try to see if it will dispense without tricking it and I just keep waving my hand in front of it. (Seconds 1-10) Nothing comes out. Then I get angry because my attempts to get a second towel failed and now I am going to have to trick the device (Seconds 10-15). I walk away from it (Seconds 15-20), then walk back and wave my hands in front of it again (Seconds 20-25). 2nd Towel dispenses (Seconds 25-30). There they are, 30 seconds of my life that I can never get back.

The point of this story: Less is not more when it comes to drying your hands in a public restroom.

Follow up to Automatic Paper Towel Dispenser

This automatic paper towel dispenser is truly one of a kind! The paper towel shown at the right was obtained with only ONE wave of the hand. Finally someone got it right. This was brought to us by Jenn from Staples. (How happy am I that Jenn took this photo?) Speaking of Staples how did you all feel about The Office episode from last week?

This reminds me: If others have good pictures or story ideas they should email or text them to me. We have very talented and resourceful readers out there. BTW: Misty, I gave Rachel your XM Radio on Friday night. Sorry for the delay. (Squidward, yours is on it's way too)

An Email I Received Today

Why did this make me laugh? Oh, maybe because of this: Paper Towel Dispenser

Subject: Paper Towell Dispenser Upgrades

Body of Message: MESSAGE BEING SENT ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF THE BUILDING

Dear Tenants:

Over the course of the next few days, we will be upgrading the paper towel units in the restrooms to electronic "no-touch" dispensers. (KT: Yes!!!!) These automated touch less dispensing units provide efficient towel dispensing by eliminating waste, utilize paper supplies that meet U.S Green Building Council LEED requirements, help improve hygiene and assist in making an overall positive impact on the environment. (KT: Yes!!!!) Most of this work will be done after hours to minimize any disruption to the use of the restrooms. (KT: Good, I don't want to be inconvienienced)

For your convenience, we are also installing automatic Purell Dispensers in each restroom as part of the overall Corporate Center Pasadena Green Cleaning Policy. (KT: They have a Green Cleaning Policy-LOL) Instant hand sanitizers effectively sanitize hands, wipe away light soil and dirt without the use of water or towels and assist in killing most common germs that may cause illness. (KT: Who Knew?) For this reason, we are integrating them into the building's cleaning operations.

We appreciate your patience during this conversion and anticipate that you will enjoy using these new amenities.