Restroom faucets: It's magic

Abracadabra

Modern technology has created a world without borders, but not without confusion. Even when it comes to washing your hands.

I was in the restroom of a New York City bookstore the other day. I had just finished washing up and was drying my digits with a paper towel. I noticed a youngish guy standing at the sinks, looking down at the faucets with a puzzled expression. He turned to me and said, "Excuse me. How do you turn these on?"

He had a British accent. "How do you turn them on?" I repeated. For a second, I thought he must be joking.

"Just put your hands under it," I said, trying to keep a straight face. "It has an electric eye, or something."

"Oh." He stuck his hand under the faucet and the water gushed out. He looked surprised, mumbled "thanks" and chuckled a bit. "Crazy Americans," I imagined he must be thinking.

Those magical restroom faucets ARE a bit much. I think I understand the motivation behind them--you avoid germs by not touching any grimy handles turned by who knows how many filthy hands. It's the same with the supernatural paper-towel dispensers, I suppose: don't contaminate your pristine fingers by touching some dirty old lever. I still feel silly using them, though--like a bush-league Harry Potter or Jedi, just waving my hand to make something stupid happen. I guess I'm just not that worried about germs.

After all, once the hand washing is over, you still have to touch that grubby door handle to leave the loo.