Stupid things seen at the gas station
As I was making one of our frequent trips to the gas station last week, I observed something that made me shrug. It was a hand sanitizer dispenser mounted right next to the gas pump. Sounds like a good idea, right?
Well, last I checked – gas is sterile. I really doubt germs could live in petroleum. So – maybe they sanitize your hands after touching the icky, germy gas pump? Strike two – I’m pretty sure the gas vapors would do a job on any bacterial nastiness there.
So – what are we possibly sanitizing against?
I’m sure it’s ultimately there to remove the gas smell. I guess I get that – but the problem is that you now have clean smelling gas on your hands. The gas is still there! Wouldn’t a perfume / deodorizer dispenser be more effective?
For the most part, hand sanitizer is a silly thing for that reason. People give it more credit than it’s due. Yes, it kills the bacteria – but you still have whatever it is that you wanted to sanitize on your hand! You come out of the portapotty – use the sanitizer – and your hand isn’t clean – it’s just got sterile poo on it!
Soap and water – no substitute.