Every time the kids ask me what I want for my birthday, Father’s Day or Christmas I always say nothing - but if they do insist please no more ties, belt nor those small novelty gadgets - just a couple of handker­chiefs would do. The day comes and they give me something else except handkerchiefs. I always end up buying them myself. My wife and kids never take me seriously and find it weird for my near-passion for handkerchiefs, always insisting it’s becoming hard to find them in stores since almost nobody uses them anymore.

Maybe I could blame my mom - a stickler for decorum and proper grooming. Since we were kids she would make sure we have the proper school uniform, belt, clean shoes, correct socks, properly tucked-in shirt, and - yes - our own handkerchief. She would buy us those kiddie handkerchiefs but I always sneak out using my dad’s adult-sized ones, at the risk of getting into trouble once my dad finds out. In my lifetime there are basically four items that would ruin my day once I leave home without one of them: watch, day-planner, cell phone and handkerchief.

Why this insecurity about hand­kerchiefs? Well try paying more at­tention the next time you ride a bus or train, the elevator, or simple be­ing in the presence of other people. Count how many people around you cough and sneeze. I like it when the weather is so called and dry in the morning and you can see your own breath - and other people’s breath cause you can see and avoid where their exhaled air goes. Imagine inhal­ing them specially after they sneeze or cough. A handkerchief would be your only and best defence in this yucky airborne unseen warfare.

On the same note a recent news­paper item says that researches have determined that the keypad on ATM machines are full of germs. Duh, you don’t have to be a researcher to figure that out. I’ve always dreaded using ATM machines. You cannot visually see them on the keypads but on those glass touch-screen moni­tors you can see the smudges from all those fingers. In fact, everything that we use - specially elevator push­buttons, hand rails and door knobs. Just try to look at those glass doors and notice the smudges.
I forgot to mention that now there’s an additional item in me that I never leave home without - a travel-sized isogel. I agree with what experts say that we should rather often wash with normal soap and water than using these germicidal chemicals but it gives me peace of mind to have this yet another de­fence if I’m out there.
Now I wouldn’t touch public doorknobs or railings without using a tissue paper or paper towel. My wife’s beginning to worry that I’m beginning to be psychotic and contract OCD the way I’m going but here’s something to worry about: how many people just coughed or sneezed into their bare hands, or went to the toilet without properly washing, then grabs the doorknob or later shakes your hand or selects some apples in the supermarket that you would later buy. Without paying so much attention you could end up adopting them yucky germ monsters into your own - then won­der why the next morning you’re suddenly sick. It’s such a mucky, yucky dirty world, so make sure to get this into your next birthday wish list - a dozen handkerchiefs!

< Prev		Next >