Alright, you might have to bear with me here, I'll play the 'it's late card' if anything is especially incoherent .

I remember once a few years ago I was working at a fast food joint, and I was handing a guy a cone, and he told me "You touched the cone part, please get me a new one." As an employee I washed my hands regularly. So I may have touched some cash before touching his cone, but why is this so offensive? Why is damn near every cleaning product, and soap 'antibacterial' nowadays? Why is that such a huge selling point?

Everyone fears bacteria, and dirt, everyone is in fear of some pandemic that is waiting to sweep the nation because some people shook hands. Do we really see each other as that filthy?

I'm going to make a confession, I wash my hands maybe twice a day unless I happen to get some sort of chemical on them. Yes, I piss, and shit, and I'd probably shake your hand too. I'll share a bottle of water with anyone, god knows I've shared a enough smoking implements, and have yet to die. I'm going to fart in public, pick my nose should I feel inclined, and generally be a disgusting person. Why are bodily functions shameful disgusting things? Americans don't even say they're going to the toilet, they go to the washroom.

Overall I think I'm doing everyone a favor. Keeping their immune systems on their toes. Why do you think children put everything in their mouths? To build up that normal flora (breatsfeeding is another action that facilitates this of course). I'm almost never sick, and this isn't because of my high constitution modifier (since Gygax died, I've been on a kick with the references, I apologize), and I am far from a health nut.

You have ten times the amount of microbial cells in your body than you have your own. Bacteria is good for you. There are far more beneficial microbes that keep you healthy (first and second line of your immune defense system relies on these significantly), than make you sick. So, pass that bacteria around, don't be scared of a little raw meat, some dirt, or human contact. I just don't want the world to end up like the future in Demolition Man.

/rant

Sorry about that. Of course I support a base line level of hygiene, keeping from smelling truly offensive and the like (I shower every day, but twice a week is totally acceptable to me). Keeping garbage out of the streets and other such practices are appreciable too.

So why are so many people like this though? Media sensationalism no doubt. I think it also ties into our (this is a North American thing here) embarrassment with nudity, and sex, and various other natural activities. There is some irrational need to separate ourselves from the beasts and the savages.

I'd love to hear some opinions, especially from some germaphobes (not really judging, I'd just like to understand). Anecdotes and opinions encouraged as well as discussion, so... discuss.