Being a lifeguard is definitely one of the easiest jobs. I get paid to sit out in the sun and tan. And of course, make sure no one drowns or any major accidents occur. That, being any lifeguard's number one priority. Luckily, the only people who attend this community pool are adults with their children, and not any hot guys around my age, so I'm distraction free. You truly get to people watch by sitting up in those stands.
However, some of the things I have witnessed, had to call out, or blow my whistle at while on duty have completely befuddled me. For instance, along with ensuring patron safety I have to make certain that the premises stay clean. To keep up with the cleanliness, the other lifeguards and myself check the bathrooms hourly. Usually, all that is necessary to maintain a clean environment is to clean up napkins from the floor and make sure there is toilet paper in every stall.
I was making my bathroom rounds one day when I made my way into the boy's bathroom (I made sure no one was in there first). I checked the urinals, and they looked fantastic! The bathroom itself didn't even smell bad! I was proud of these boys keeping the bathroom so clean. I popped my head into the first stall and it looked just as dandy as well. I walked into the second, much bigger stall. Everything looked fine. There was plenty of toilet paper in there and nothing was on the floor. The seat cover was down though. I walked over just to make sure that nothing was in the toilet that should have been flushed. I lifted the seat cover to be overwhelmed with a sickening smell. The smell of poop. I assumed whoever went number two clogged the toilet and was ashamed to let a lifeguard know. I held my nose and attempted to flush the toilet before I got one of the guys to come plunge the toilet. To my disbelief, it went down fine. I was disgusted as to what sick individual would leave their feces in toilet for another person to find.
I washed my hands while the same puzzling questions went through my head: "Why are people so gross? Are they this gross at home too? Or are they doing it to torment us?"
I shared my horrible experience with the other lifeguards to only find out that the day before someone tinkled in the sink and that prior to that a little girl decided it was okay to pee on the deck.
I was appalled. I didn't understand. Do people think it’s not necessary to be hygienic out in public?
Due to this incident, when I check the bathrooms and the seat covers are down I hold my breath only anticipating another mound of poop to be starting back at me.
Oh how gross people can be!!! There is no way I will swim in a public pool do to the fact of how gross people can be in public. My daughter was a life guard when she was 16 and on more than one occasion had to clear the pool due to a "baby Ruth" floating on the surface. I am sure a child was the culprit but yuck!!!! At least your mess was in the right receptacle. LOL
ReplyDeleteTherese Shaath
My sister would always tell me stories about the kids at the pool. Unfortunate for her there were never any parents that came with their own children so these kids were crazy wild! They would say the most ridiculous things and try to pull pranks on the lifeguards on duty. Kids have no shame. Lol I will admit I'm not hygienic at all when it comes to pools. I will be the first to admit anytime I get in I pee. =) Nature calls.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people should be more considerate when in a public place. Rather or not they want to be gross at home is up to them, but not at a public pool where everyone is swimming. It is gross that parents would allow their children to use the pool as a restroom. I also do not understand why people can not just flush the toilet. I definitely think I will be staying away from public pools.
ReplyDeleteI try to give people the benefit of doubt that maybe in this case they were to shame to let someone know the toilet was broke. Where I work it's been determined someone finds it humorous to not flush and not through their trash in the proper places. Some people just don't care about personal hygiene.
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh! You poor thing! Like you, I've also pondered why, why, why public bathrooms are always so frighteningly filthy. The funny part is that everyone says, "I never do that. I always flush, clean up the drips on the seat...." After you wash your hands, never, ever touch the faucet- use the paper towel! And NEVER, EVER touch the door knob!!!!! Use the paper towel!!
ReplyDeleteAWWW! I think that to sometimes when I go into a resturant! I always see people not flushing or leaving trash everywhere and it is disturbing. I was taught to treat other places like it was your own place. I guess since it is "public" I guess people assume that it doesn't matter what they do because they don't have to clean it up later but they don't think about how gross it must be for the people who do.
ReplyDeleteThat is super gross! I have the same kind of problem on my job... why are people so gross!!! At least at the pool, you can assume that it was a child. But at my job, these are all grown ups. So yes, gross indeed...but too funny:)
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness that is so gross!! I work in a DR office where we see kids and kids do the most disgusting things in our bathroom. We are thankful to have an employee bathroom!! Nancy Ringo
ReplyDeleteYuck Yuck and more Yuck!! What is wrong with people?!?!
ReplyDeleteI truly have no idea why people can act so gross in public! I'll be in the bathroom cleaning and will see people go to the bathroom and leave without washing their hands. Five minutes later i see them enjoy a deliciously, bacteria infested pizza.
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