You sound like my old sociology professor. lol

I will never forget when he told the class that they often don't wash comforters in hotels for a month or more. My family stayed in one hotel where there was used dental floss hanging from the towel bar, "crispy" sheets, mud prints on the floor, etc. We made them give us our money back and stayed in a different hotel.

It's disgusting to think that health and safety is treated so casually. And then the MANAGERS and OWNERS of these places don't even have a comment? I won't be staying in any of those hotels again. However, I have been impressed with the Holiday Inn, so I will probably stay there. From now on, though, I am cleaning the ENTIRE room before I stay there.

Some people might think that's a little overboard, but I have children, a husband, and my own health to think about. I'm not going to place that in the hands of someone I don't know, who obviously doesn't care.

Hmmm....that's kind of what it sounds like when I explain to people why I don't go to the doctor. :0)

Beyond Organic,

I love your sense of humor! Very funny. I was laughing out loud while reading your post.

Health Man,

Same here.  Americans are much to germ conscious compared to others around the world, but aren't too woried about "frankenfoods", as long as they look good.

I regularly travel from Australia to the UK and back and like Russ's suggestions - I use gloves when I go to the bathroom.  I take a box of disposable gloves with me and use a fresh pair each time.  I also take a box of disposable alcohol wipes (at least 70% isopropyl alcohol which kills viruses too).  I use the alcohol wipes on everything including the toilet seat - just in case any part of me makes contact with it.  Other things I wipe down include the head and arm rests, TV controls and seat recline controls.

My boyfriend thinks I have obsessive compulsive disorder when I fly but he gets sick everytime we do the flight and these days I never do!!

The first time I flew long distance (only 2 years ago) I was DISGUSTED at the state of the toilets.  There was urine swishing about on the floor when I opened the door. I actually stopped drinking water so I wouldn't need to use it - not so good on a 24 hour flight but I figured that so many people go whole days without drinking water that I'd survive 24 hours.  It was after this flight that I started packing the gloves and alcohol wipes to travel with.

Cheers,

Sarah

Russ said, "Secondly, on airplanes, I bring hydrogen peroxide towelettes to wipe down any chair surface (particularly on long flights)."  

While that will kill the staph bacteria, strep bacteria contain an enzyme that enables them to convert peroxide to water.  Lysol disinfectant wipes may be your best bet there, as they also don't contain bleach, which can really mess up your clothes.

I thought you weren't going to mention any :)