December 5, 2008
December is the most common month for catching a cold, Guru has recently discovered, and apparently most of the 120 million colds contracted in the UK each year (an average of two per person) are caused by germs spread by the hands.
Yes, we are all officially part of the great unwashed - particularly after going to the loo.
According to a recent news story, the White House is leading the way and already taking steps to beat the bug through the use of hand sanitisers. President Bush is reported to have offered Barack Obama hand sanitiser the first time they met four years ago.
Obama recalls shaking hands with Bush, who then "turned to an aide nearby, who squirted a big dollop of hand sanitizer in the president's hand". Bush is quoted as saying: "Good stuff. Keeps you from getting colds."
And disinfects you after touching a Democrat as well, Guru thinks.
Is it just me or does that hand squirting etiquette seem incredibly rude? Imagine it in an everyday meeting scenario: Two people meet, shake hands and then one turns round and sprays his hands.
You might as well say: "I think your hands are disgusting, germ-ridden extremities and can hardly bear to touch them".
Guru much prefers wearing his trusty marigolds when shaking hands with someone for the first time, it sets off the colour of his eyes nicely.
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