Dirty Money: Germs on Money
Bacteria on Money
"Don't put that money in your mouth! You never know where it's been!" Your mother said so, just like countless mothers for countless generations said before her. While you are trying to conserve money with savings plans, an IRA, stocks, bonds, smart shopping, coin-hoarding, dollar-stretching and a variety of money saving techniques, your mother was more concerned with saving your health.
Moms were not and are not alone. At the beginning of the 20th century, Dr. Thomas Darlington, Health Commissioner of New York City, presided over experiments with bacteria found on bills and coin. On February 24th, 1905, the New York Times reported that Dr. Darlington told the House Committee on Banking and Currency "that it was desirable in the interest of public health that soiled bills be withdrawn from circulation as soon as practicable."
In Japan, moms have had a real impact. There, paranoid parents can go to a "clean ATM" and get their yen pressed between rollers for one-tenth of a second at 392 degrees, enough to kill many bacteria, according to Hitachi, the ATM maker. Explains Terry Kubo, a Hitachi spokesman,"Japanese like to be very clean," adding, "Please be sensitive". It seems the Japanese don't even want to talk about icky germs.
Now Wash Your F***ing Hands!
Separating Clean From Dirty
Today, the job of separating dirty money from an unsuspecting public falls to the Federal Reserve. While paper bills are built to take an extreme amount of abuse, the average U.S. Dollar lasts a mere 18 months. "Soil content," as the Federal Reserve tactfully calls it, is analyzed by machine. A new bill scores a 16, and goes down from there according to "soil content." Any bill scoring 12 or less - about a third of those tested - are typically shredded and used for landfill.
Obviously, the Federal Reserves test shows only how soiled money is; it doesn't reveal what soils it. Your mom was right about one thing: you never know where it's been. Witness the exotic dancer with the special talent of removing a dollar bill from a man's face in a cheeky way. Clearly moms across the planet have done a fine job of convincing us money is full of disgusting germs - strippers aside - but is it really? And if so, how filthy is it?
Germs on Money
It goes without saying that bacteria are everywhere in the environment and most of these microbes are harmless to humans. Should germs on money worry us? Surprisingly, studies of bacteria on money are scarce. In 1972 a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied bacteria from 200 coins and bills and found harmful germs like fecal bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus on 13 percent of coins and 42 percent of notes. The study concluded: "Money is truly dirty."
Another study at the University of California at San Francisco cultured 113 examples of "real life" cash from a deli, a post office, a newsstand, and common places where money changes hands. Most grew harmless organisms, but 18 percent of coins and 7 percent of notes had some less friendly bacteria on them, including the odd colony of E. coli and the potential pathogen S. aureus. Fortunately, the bug soon shrivels on money's dry surface. And with 25 percent of people carrying S. aureus in their noses, it's no surprise that the bug gets onto fingers and money.
Lend Me a Hand
Anything that gets on hands can get on money. And hands are hardly germ-free. While not the germiest parts of the human body - they're too dry for that - hands have a local population of bacteria quietly grazing on their skin debris. In the late 1930s, the surgeon P. B. Price discovered something surprising about our hands: no amount of washing with soap or antimicrobial agents can sterilize them. "Even after 10, 15 washings," says James Leyden, a dermatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, "bacteria are there by the thousands."
Speaking on hands and bacteria, Leyden asks rhetorically "Where are the hidden cities?" In the late 1980s, he conducted a test where he closed the moist spaces under volunteers' fingernails. "You find hundreds of thousands, even millions of bacteria there," he says. "Sometimes the amount under one fingernail is more than on the rest of the hand." Each time the volunteers washed their hands, the number of bacteria diminished until eventually hardly any were left.
In general, skin resists being colonized or invaded by foreign bacteria. Its outer layer forms an efficient barrier and its surface is too dry or too acidic for many nonresident species. In addition, skin surface oils contain antimicrobials. In the mouth, saliva - our natural mouthwash - contains the antibody immunoglobulin A and germ-killing enzymes. Any microbe that makes it past the skin or the mouth's pink lining must contend with the body's immune system. And any microbe that's swallowed faces the acid test of the stomach. In short, the human body does a pretty good job of protecting itself.
Germ Warfare
So what can we do about dirty money and germs on currency? "Money is not a major cause of exchange of diseases, and you should not worry about it very much," said Joe Kitterman, environmental health supervisor for the Riley County Kansas Health Department. Viruses do not enter a person's body through the skin, Kitterman said. They must come in contact with the nose or mouth or through the membranes of the eyes. The biggest culprit when it comes to transmitting sickness is a simple lack of hygiene.
"The most common problem is lack of hand washing," he said. "There are a lot of bacterial diseases that can be spread because people don't wash their hands after they go to the bathroom."
George Marchin, associate professor of biology at Kansas State University, said hands generally must come into contact with the face to spread viral diseases. "The virus gets on your hands, then later you touch your nose or rub your eyes. You really have to massage (the virus) into the membranes," Marchin said. "Washing your hands more often is something the Center for Disease Control recommends." Washing your hands too often though can be detrimental, stripping the skin of its antimicrobials and causing abrasions, making you more susceptible to bacteria.
But a quick pass of the hands through running water doesn't get the job done, said Carol Kennedy, director of health education and promotion at Lafene Health Center, Kansas State University. "I would say significant lathering using soap and warm water.
"Soap is critical. It has been determined that soap and warm water is the best way to prevent colds and that kind of thing." Antibacterial gels can help sanitize in a pinch. "That's a good alternative if you don't have access to soap and water," said Kennedy, "like if you are in class and sneeze or blow your nose."
Mothers Know Best
That doesn't mean mothers aren't right to warn toddlers not to put money in their mouths. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, small coins are the most common foreign objects causing injuries to children worldwide. The danger is choking, not swallowing: a quarter going down the wrong pipe could block the airway and can suffocate a small child in minutes. "Swallowing a coin isn't the worst thing in the world, if the coin lands in the stomach," says Marilyn Bull, a pediatrician at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. In due course the ingested coin should emerge at the other end acid-washed by the stomach, in shiny, almost mint condition.
So, the best way to protect yourself is to keep your fingers and money out of your mouth (even though it wont kill you, it is dirty and icky), don't rub your eyes, don't pick at your scabs, and wash your hands, especially after going to the bathroom. And those are all things your mother told you. Thanks, mom.
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Comments
Very interesting topic to read about. #elliottshifmanl
You don't know where money has been. Maybe it was in possesion of a dirty beggar. You never know what disease he might got.
this is really interesting!
wow....................................
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Yeah, it's pretty gross, but it's best to be aware. I've hardly stopped washing my hands since I wrote it.
Great hub. I won't say I enjoyed it, but great hub all the same.
I love it when I wash my hands in a public lavatory, and feel all clean and smug, but then find that some other person has just come in done his business, (Whatever that might be) and gone out, not having washed his hands, and I have to open the door that last had his hands on the handle.
Yeeuch!
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Sounds groovy!
Very pleased you've had a win. Will catch up on skype in the New Year for an update.
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Hey Jewels, I am indeed "kicking goals," and they're kicking back. I'll make it a point to read the Hartman Grid. I haven't had time to do much of anything lately except work. Not complaining. I got just what I wanted and I love it, but a little less of it would be nice.
Shuffling along Master Reilly. About to do some 'omming' over the next seven weeks with my teacher. Hope you're kicking goals in life.
PS: I did that follow-up hub to the Hartman Grid. Check it out when you have time.
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Jewels: Heh, heh, heh. Been so long since I watched it, I can't even remember what's on it. How are you, Jewels?
Gross. I had to watch that damn video didn't I!
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frogyfish: Ha! Guess I was feeling "pukey" that day. I've got lot's of "pretty" stuff too...I'm not always hideous and gross. Just sometimes. Thanks for the comment!
I think about germs on money - but now I'll REALLY THINK.
And that video was gross, hideous, pukey. Ugh!
I gotta go read something pretty now! :-}
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wilcowilliams: Right you are. Fortunately, the human body is very good at defending itself. Thanks for the comment.
Great read Christoph. It makes sense that money is so dirty. Washing your hands often can help of course but it's impossible to stop every germ there is.
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lorlie: Well! I never! Actually, I ALWAYS wash my hands, especially after writing this. Do you believe me? Would you like some soup? Thanks for the comment!
Lovely video, Christoph! Gad, I've got to find out where that eatery is-that's some soup!!
Thanks for this, umm, revolting piece of writing!
Hello :)
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U Neek: Thank you for the nice words. Our Moms sure did teach us a lot, but maybe not EVERYTHING. Thanks again.
Everything we need to know our moms taught us and this is a great case in point. Thanks for an informative and well written hub.
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Maeve: Thanks for the comment. Interesting posts too!
Great article, and I love the video, definitely more F's in there than the regular F-diagram!! Reminds me of an article I read a couple of years ago by LSHTM - check out http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/news/2008/dirtyhandsstudy.h...
I've also featured an article by the Bangladeshi Daily Star which might be of interest to you: http://maevehall.wordpress.com/2010/02/21/filthy-m...
Will check back for more great posts!
M
Very interesting Hub.
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teendad: You were right. Thanks for reading.
I hated my job as a cashier because of all that dirty money. I went through bottles of hand sanitizer, and then my hands were always so dry. Great hub.
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privateye: Is that what it is? I knew it! Stop the presses! I've got a scoop!
Wait! I Know! It's a government plot to make money obsolete...to make us use ONLY plastic bank cards and credit cards. Which are, of course, washable!
Then - when the country's currency goes tits up and the economy crashes - theres nothing to back it up!
No more Money - nothing left; the USA does not run on the gold standard.
Yep...Mother Nature knows best; you did your very best June Cleaver--we all know that - the *beaver* surely appreciated you in later life!
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Private eye: Wow. I hadn't come across that info before...that bacteria are building up a resistance to hand sanitizers. We already know that about antibiotics so I'm not surprised, but geez. Scary, ain't it? Thanks for the comment.
I agree, wash and rinse - repeat. But NOT with hand sanitizers. All the new germ killing dish soaps, etc...are simply making germs into *SUPER GERMS* - we are doing it to ourselves...breeding new bacteria which now kills us...
New Black Plague coming soon...
"It goes without saying that bacteria are everywhere in the environment and most of these microbes are harmless to humans. Should germs on currency worry us?"
It WILL be worrying us if we don't stop messing around with mother nature.
Surely mother nature knows Best!
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tdarby: I know what you mean. It's surprising how much I was my hands since I wrote this. Thanks for the comment.
Wash, rinse, repeat. Man Cristoph, you just made me a germaphobe. Thanks a lot.
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You can keep the mental picture. Anything I can do to help? Did you ever see Animaniacs? Helloooooooo Nurse!
Sure, go and ruin the mental picture with the truth!! Ha ha ha...no, not a brain surgeon. I worked day care for about 2 years, and now I work at a hospital, not as a surgeon. Making money, so I can go to school to be a nurse.
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I wasn't the exotic dancer! (Though I would have looked fabulous!) Why do you have to be? Are you a brain surgeon and I forgot?
Christoph, the exotic dancer??? I am obsessive about hand washing. I have to be!
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For real! Use a little bleach!
I don't want to think about THAT, either. Money laundering is sounding good right about now.
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Paul: Thanks for reading. i think you mean "A picture is worth a thousand words." Thanks for the comment.
Frieda: Yeah, I've practically become a germaphobe since I wrote this, and something of a compulsive hand washer. Thanks for coming by.
Proud Mom: By all means, don't think about it. Don't think about the little living nasties living on everything you touch, and don't put that money in your mouth. I worked in an adult entertainment club, and I have seen where that money has been.
EEWWWW! I don't even want to THINK about it! Loved George rolling his eyes!
Ick! Great hub with great information. You really did your research on this one! 'Scuse me. Gotta go wash my hands.
Hi, what a nice hub,I think that picture onsite can talk much than word"picture express thousand word" is it right?Have nice day
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BT: Perhaps you, my friend, are the one not "thinking things through." See, I live in Missouri, and here we have what you call Mules. Missouri mules, to be precise, a valuable commodity. Now mules are made by breeding a horse with, just for example, your wife's ass. Her ass demonstrates the same typical qualities I have observed in all assess: obstinance and patience. This makes her perfect for a breeding program, producing Missouri Mules. As I have stated, Missouri mules are quite valuable, which means that I can make a great deal of money with your wife's ass just by selling her services to the farmers around here. You should see the farmer's faces light up when they see your wife's ass. I don't believe they have ever seen an ass so beautiful.
As you may or may not know, all Mules are sterile, but I'm sure your wife's ass is accustomed to dealings with sterile males. So, you may keep the money in exchange for your wife's ass--all $9.76 of it (maybe you should have waited until you received the package)--effectively selling your wife's ass into white (well, gray with a black stripe) slavery. Good luck!
That'll be just fine, Christoph. I'd be willing to bet that it will cost more to feed her, than what's in the box of money. Sounds like you didn't really think this one through.
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B.T.: You should receive the box of money shortly. I will be keeping your wife's ass until the money is returned in full (minus reasonable expenses), at which time your wife's ass will be returned to you.
Still waiting for that box of money, pal. My laundering enterprise is in full swing! At the urging of one of your readers, I have put in a coin washer.
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White Atlantic: Thanks for stopping in and the comment!
mdvaldosta: It's all pretty. Thanks for the comment!
What? Dirty money... there's no such!
very nice topic.....i never thinked it before
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Shaun Lindbergh: New money works great for me, thanks (but I'll take the dirty stuff too). Yes, germs are everywhere and they're out to get you, Shaun Lindbergh! Thanks for the comment!
New notes, that's the answer. We have one bank that always seems to issue clean notes from it's ATMs. that's where i go. and I like to wash my coins. OK, the ATM keypad is probably disgusting but so is the guy who sneezed down my back in the supermarket queue! Germs are EVERYWHERE!
What about a little water fountain built into an ATM to wash your hands afterwards? Hmmm.
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Gwendymom: Yea, I haven't been around too much - too busy. You've been kinda scarce too, haven't you? I hope to spend some more time soon!
B.T. Ok. I'm sending you a big cardboard box full of my money. Remember to send it back, OK? I trust you. Just remember after you have laundered my money to go easy on the starch!
CR, feel free to send me your money! I'll be more than happy to wash it for you! I'll even send most of ot back!
By the way, I had no idea that E.Coli were so cute!
Hey CR, how are you tonight? Haven't seen ya round too much lately.
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Ms._info: Thanks for stopping by and the comment about the pics. I appreciate it!
I love the pictures you chose for this hub.
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2patricias: We haven't seen each other in a long time. Thanks for stopping by and your comment. I too am washing my hands more (maybe a little too much). I've been trying to teach my cat to wash his paws regularly, expecially after tap dancing in the litter box. It's not working though. Any advice?
Thanks for writing!
I am sitting at the computer with one of my Evil Cats on my lap (as usual). Now that I have read your Hub I shall certainly wash my hands before my next trip to the fridge for a little snack! (But I might chuckle as I lather up). But as for putting money in my mouth - I haven't got enough to do that!
Thanks for an entertaining hub.
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laringo: Thank you for your nice comments. I appreciate you coming by and for the bookmark. I agree with you, I have paid a lot more attention to washing my hands since I wrote this. Thanks!
Rochelle: Thanks so much for your visit. Coming from you, your praise mean a lot and is very much appreciated! Unexpected too, to get some for my picture selection! Thank you!
There was just something new on the news about this in the last couple of days. Filthy lucre indeed!--
After reading this again, I realize how good it was and also how great your selection of photos is, even in combination. G Washington, raising his eyebrows above the stripper--the toilet paper currency, the E-coli bacteria which looks like a fleecy tampon.
I applaud your wonderful talent for finding images to go with your writing.
Very daunting but true. Be careful what you touch and always wash your hands asap or keep hand sanitizer handy. Excellent Hub. Thumbs-up and a bookmark.
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SteveCW MD: Thanks for the comment! Say, why don't you link to it on one of more of your many websites? I'd appreciate it! Thanks!
Legali: Thanks for your support.
very good hub
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Thanks agcor: I'm glad to be back and glad to see you. Of course, I've been watching you - sort of a peeping tom thing - but it's great to be here where I can comment.
Christoph - glad to see you back from computer wilderness land!
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ajcor: Yea, those scabies are wicked. Don't catch them!
Hi Christoph - Just clicked the scabies link left by Misty - vile, revolting little nasties! and interestingly enough you don't catch from animals - just other infected people - nice. cheers.
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evemurphy: Good point, Eve. 'Scrooge McDuck' wasn't stupid. I mean, he had all that money! Nice to see you again. Thanks for the comment.
Now I know why 'Scrooge McDuck' always wore gloves!
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Worldnet: you're right. I, for one, have been taking greater care to wash my hands since I wrote this. Thanks for the comment!
This is a great reminder for everyone to give a serious thought on handwashing, which often is neglected by many because we easily get caught up with a lot of stuff to do in between...
Nice hub..
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Shades: That's great. I know it's typical, just like others have said for generations, but...we didn't have stuff like that when I was a kid.
Princessa: Good. If I have helped one child wash their hands better, then I have done some good. Thanks for sharing!
LOL my children "loved" the video... I think finally they are going to wash their hands now without me having to remind them. Thanks :)
Then you slopped into a nugget. I'm showing that to my kids when they get home. They'll laugh their asses off and send it around to their friends.
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Reynold Writing: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad you found it amusing.
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Misty: Gawd! That looks horrible. It must have been awful. Glad you got rid of them!
Shades: Thanks for stopping by. I didn't really find anything about the hand sanitizers only helping some bacteria build up a resistance - only that it was OK but soap and warm water was best - but I wasn't really looking for it so it may be true. It makes sense, really. As for the cartoon, wish I could say I searched hi and low, but it came up first on youtube under "washing hands."
Very Amusing Hub
Well, as usual, I'm way late to the party. This was a smooth read, as always, and frankly, the thing about the anti-bacterial gels has me wondering again. I heard they were good for a long time, then I recently read that they are not strong enough to actually kill the hardcore bacteria and in fact strengthen them and thus contribute to the evolution of "super" bacterias. But you clearly read more stuff than I did, so, maybe they do work. Dammit, now I'm confused lol.
I got to tell you, I was laughing my freaking ass off on that video. I know it's immature to appreciate that as much as I did, but I confess to being very immature and, well, that was flat hilarious. How in the heck did you find that thing? That was priceless.
Take a look at this link Christoph, it shows not only an enlarged picture of the scabies mite, but also the effects on the skin of sufferers Yuk.
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Misty: OOoooo! Scabies! I've heard of scabies but never knew what they actually were (anything that rhymes with rabies can't be good). It sounds truly horrible. Hope I never get them.
Mariesue: I'm sorry mariesue. I didn't want to make you more paranoid than you already are (though you're not paranoid if they're really out to get you). It sounds like you take good care of yourself. i think you're safe. Thanks for coming by to read though, even if it was uncomfortable for you. Thanks for the comment.
I handle money everyday in my job and I have become quite paranoid about the germs, and your hub didn't help!! LOL
I use hand sanitizer and have since teaching first grade. Consequently - I rarely every catch a cold, tho' no telling what other germs are lurking around in my body waiting to strike. sniffle.
I'm going to wash my hands now. =))
I once caught Scabies from money handling when driving buses. Scabies are like tiny insects/parasites, that tunnel into your skin causing itchy but tiny blisters all over your body from the neck downwards, (mainly on the webbing between your fingers and toes). This quickly passed on to my boyfriend, and the only cure the doctor could offer was a white liquid we had to paint all over each other's naked bodies, including in every crack!!! This liquid had to stay on for 24 hours, then you washed it off and repeated the whole process. It was not pleasant, and the itching drove me crazy. what was really annoying was I washed my hands multiple times a day, but still caught these horrible critters in spite of this. Money truly does carry all sorts of nasties!!
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Trish: That should cheer up the rest of your laundry.
Sixty: That sounds about right to me.
Filthy lucre. What a great hub. Of course keyboards, telephones, credit cards, car keys are all sources of bacteria. That ATM pad is also a potential bacteria carrier. Of course too much sanitization is also not a good thing. The amount of allergies and poor immuno-supressive systems (in humans) may be the result of living too clean a life. My grandparents believed that some exposure to dirt was good for kids. But they always insisted on washing of hands after going to the loo, before meals and before going to bed at night.
LOL Chris. I'll be sure to throw in my itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini :)
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Sally: I had no idea the word was that popular. I'd better change some keywords! Thank you so much for stopping back by. You're a welcome visitor anytime!
Quicksand: Me too. I don't mind washing my hands after I count stacks and stacks of it!
Trish: Nice to see you again too! Hope all is well with your...laundry. Thanks!
Chris, you're such a gentleman :)
By the time I realized what I actually said, it was too late to edit LOL,,but in that video the thing that really caught my attention was the swaying polka-dot butt.
Sally, no, I don't remember ever getting our hands inspected. What I do remember was standing in line in the nurse's office waiting for the dreaded needle.
Very interesting hub Chris. I'd say 'food for thought' but somehow that idea makes my stomach turn :)
Dirty or clean, my love for money will never ever diminish! :)
I love the word *icky* in your title. I did a Google on the word, and found that there are 3,780,000 returns (guess that's a lot of people who know how to spell it).
dictionary.com defines the term as repulsive or distasteful, excessively sweet or sentimental, or unsophisticated or old-fashioned, or sticky as in viscid.
I'm sure you mean the first definition, perhaps the last, but I can't help but wonder about the others in between.
Needless to say, love your Hubs, and they are always worth revisiting.
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compu-smart: I think we are headed to a "cashless" society now. I'm not going to worry about germs on money too much - just be really concious of washing my hands, etc. Thanks for stopping by!
lol @ quicksand & "launder the money"!!
I don't like shaking peoples hands bcos of germs and ill wash my asap after lol! as for money don't get me started on this very serious subject and the sooner we have a cashless society with funds withdrawn from banks or shops (top-ups) then the safer and cleaner our money and lives would be!
Great hub~;)
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Not at the time. it gave me a story to tell is all.
The question of course is whether or not you enjoyed it too, Christoph :)
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Patty: And Big Medical Care thanks you for your patronage!
Spryte: That's NOT a bad idea for a hub. I didn't have many other bad experiences though. Once Sister Charles Mary kicked me so hard in the butt it knocked me out of my desk - and she LIKED me!
OMG! Miss Lemon sounds like a horror! I never had to endure hand inspections and I would have been mortified if I'd had Sally's experience. I guess I was just very fortunate in the teachers that I had...
(Personally...I think that's a great subject for a hub, although not by me since I've never had any bad experiences)
Great - now I need to spend money on yearly brain scans. Another money-filching ploy of Big Medical Care.
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Countrywomen: Yes, I did mean CW. Thanks for catching that. You are on the ball, as usual.
Lissie: But let me guess: the locals could tell and it was always a 1 when you thought it was a 10? Seriously, that sounds like some dirty money. Thanks for the comment.
Jewels: You should have been paid extra. I had a job where I had to count a lot of singles. When I think of all the time I licked my fingers so I could get a better grip on the money....ugh!
Trish: I actually think that would work (on the money, I mean, not your butt). As for the sitting on the washing machine, I am not going to touch that in spite of the fact that you left it wide open for me. I like you too much to crack the jokes your statement makes available! Thanks for stopping by!
Patty: I never heard that, but the government wouldn't lie...no way! But seriously, the government does put these little microbes on all money that enter in through our skin and make their way to our brains, eventually coming together and forming a "chip", which thay then use to track our every move, thought, and emotion, and to influence us. Thought you'd like to know.
Sally: I can remember them checking our hands in line for the lunchroom, but I don't recall them being too strict - unless it was Miss Lemon (no kidding) - an old maid who was a terror in the class room. She was meaner than any nun I ever had. She'd grab you by the hair and shake your head violently if you didn't do your homework. Then you'd see her at church and she'd just be the sweetest old lady. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
As a child, I was terrorized by the idea of showing up at school with a speck of dirt I might have missed hiding under a fingernail. The school nurse conducted regular hand inspections, and if she found dirt under your fingernails, not only would she send you to the lavatory with a nail brush to wash it out, but she'd send a note home to your mother AND use you as an example to the rest of your classmates. (Trish, I wonder if you remember this?)
Well, Christoph, thanks to your superbly written Hub, now I know that horrible nurse was pretty darned smart, maybe even ahead of her time. If only she'd been better educated in psychology!
In the 1960s and 1970s we were taught in school that US currency was treated to make it germ-free. A government lie? haha. Interesting Hub.
Think I'll go to the laundromat with my money, throw it all in the washer, and plop my big polka-dot swaying butt on the washing machine when it goes into spin cycle. End result, clean money and reducing the size of my butt! Sounds like a win-win to me :)
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