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Post by lily on Feb 16, 2013 21:04:39 GMT -5
When you wash your hands, do you put on the soap first and then turn on the water? Or do you turn on the water first?
I have a reason for asking this.
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Post by pat on Feb 16, 2013 21:40:25 GMT -5
Hummmmmm....guess I turn on the water, grab the soap and then wet hands and soap, then wash.
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joan
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Post by joan on Feb 17, 2013 11:17:41 GMT -5
I turn the water on, wet my hands, apply soap, etc. So lily what is your reason for asking?
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Post by lily on Feb 18, 2013 22:48:12 GMT -5
My reason for asking is this: Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth? You know it's been said that is a waste of water and you shouldn't do it.
Well, I was then thinking the same thing about turning on the faucet and having the water run while I was getting soap into my hand.
But that's not the real reason for my question. It's actually about habits. I have decided not to waste water and to not turn on the faucet until I've gotten the soap in my hand. Easy, right? Well, I can't believe how difficult it is for me to stop that habit of turning on the water first. Do you think you can break that habit easily? Try it for more than just a few days and see how you do.
Is there any little habit you have that you would have trouble stopping, do you think?
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Post by faskew on Feb 19, 2013 13:13:01 GMT -5
Of course, if you put soapy hands on the knobs to turn water on, you're contaminating them. It's more sanitary to turn the water on first. 8->
Besides, brushing teeth takes a lot longer than putting soap on hands, so the water only runs a couple of seconds before you're washing with it.
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Post by lily on Feb 19, 2013 13:29:35 GMT -5
Of course no soapy hands on the knob. You put soap on only one hand first, and then turn on the water.
And really the point isn't how much or little water is wasted. The point is stopping the habit. And, also the concept itself to be aware of saving our resources (and expenses).
So, what do you think?
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joan
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Post by joan on Feb 19, 2013 13:49:07 GMT -5
I think I wouldn't drive myself crazy over it. I'm a conserver by nature.
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Post by lily on Feb 19, 2013 14:06:26 GMT -5
I think I wouldn't drive myself crazy over it. I'm a conserver by nature. Oh, I'm not doing that. Just wondering why it's so difficult to remember to not turn the water on first. It's a habit of a lifetime really. But there's no reason to keep doing it. I'm not making my point very clear. This is really about breaking habits. Has no one ever had difficulty breaking a habit? It could be anything. Big or little.
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joan
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Posts: 1,407
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Post by joan on Feb 19, 2013 14:32:39 GMT -5
I have a bad habit that I wish I could break but what is stopping me is my sick enjoyment. It is a bit personal, sorry.
I occasionally bite my nails. I didn't for many years, but began again when I got my teeth fixed! I do it almost unconsciously, when I realize, I'm mad that I have to stop but I do.
It is better to put the water on first to wash your hands, that is why most of us do it that way. A very small stream is all that is needed.
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Post by lily on Feb 19, 2013 14:57:23 GMT -5
I'm not sure what you mean. You then turn off the water while soaping your hand? And then turn it back on?
Anyway, it sure is obvious no one knows how or cares to know how--to break a habit. At least you admit you have some you don't like.
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joan
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Post by joan on Feb 19, 2013 16:01:36 GMT -5
No, I leave the water on throughout, but not gushing, just a small stream.
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Post by faskew on Feb 20, 2013 13:18:16 GMT -5
Breaking habits requires conditioning. You can't NOT DO something. You have to DO something. That is, you replace the bad habit with a different behavior and it becomes the new habit. 8->
Fred Askew
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Post by lily on Feb 20, 2013 13:35:02 GMT -5
Breaking habits requires conditioning. You can't NOT DO something. You have to DO something. That is, you replace the bad habit with a different behavior and it becomes the new habit. 8-> Fred Askew Yes, I've heard that it takes a month for a new habit to stick. However, could you give me an example of what habit could be overcome by a different behavior. And is that always positive? Such as a smoking habit being exchanged for eating more.
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Post by faskew on Feb 21, 2013 8:06:11 GMT -5
New habits are not always positive. Which is why it's better to choose one that to let a "wild" one in. 8->
Your smoking example is a good one. Many former smokers crave a cigarette at the end of a meal because that was what they did for many years. Regardless of how addicted they were to tobacco, they developed the habit of smoking after eating. Rather than eating more, some have tried to set up some sort of ritual at the end of a meal - having a mint, meditating, drinking a glass of water, whatever. The important part is sort of self-hypnosis - they choose to mark the end of a meal with an action. What the action is varies according to the person. But the idea is that one behavior is consciously substituted for a different behavior.
This may not be a good example, but there are books and courses that can explain it much better than I can. The core idea is that you substitute a positive behavior for a negative one. Of course, some people take the other route and substitute a negative behavior for a positive one. But the principle is the same. 8->
Fred Askew
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