Use eye drops in public

Toomuchstuff

Toomuchstuff

Member
Location
Wisconsin
Since I have to use eye drops very frequently now ,when I'm out in public , should I disappear into the bathroom to do it , or is it just okay to do it when I need to ? I know some people are squeamish about eyeballs . Usually there's people all around me,so I can't turn my back and do it. I was wondering what your opinion is . Is it impolite ? Would it bother you ?

Have you ever seen someone in public doing something ,that you wished they would have done privately ?
Not breastfeeding - that argument could go on forever - but something minor like eye drops or putting in contacts .....
 

To me, it really depends on how comfortable you feel about it. As far as etiquette, it's no big deal as far as I'm concerned.
 
My concern is about using a public restroom, which is unlikely to be sanitary. Seems like you'd be better off using drops where you are.

As for it bothering others? Not your problem; taking care of yourself is far more important.
 
It's not a matter squeamishness, but common courtesy.

It is no more a public activity than brushing your hair, applying make up or having a quick trim with a razor (and since somebody is bound to ask, breast feeding a baby is not the same thing at all).
 
Or a diabetic testing blood before a restaurant meal or doing a insulin shot through clothes there, too. It's a medical thing and not exposing oneself. Why should anybody be offended by that? Go do it in a germy bathroom? As much as possible, I don't use public bathrooms at all. Yuck!
 
I guess my first reaction to seeing someone put eye drops in their eyes--in a place that serves food--would be, "Hmmm, kinda gross. But then, you need eye drops, you need eye drops, whenever and wherever you are, I'd then just look away.
I'm very familiar with not wanting a physical problem (Essential Tremor) seen by the public.

Sitting in a corner booth makes a good "hiding" place. :)
 
I agree with Bea, it really wouldn't bother me personally, but if I had to do it, I would do it privately or in a rest room. I would also brush my hair, apply makeup, floss, etc. privately. I've seen people floss publically, remove and replace braces/dentures and scoop chewing tobacco out of their cheek, now those things made me want to upchuck.....luckily they didn't happen more than once for my viewing pleasure.
 
How often do you need to use your eyedrops Toomuchstuff ?

Personally, it’s not something I would do in public, and not something I would particularly like to witness, certainly not where I’m eating, I don’t even like to see anybody blowing their nose !
 
It's not a matter of being offended but simple good manners, like standing when a lady enters the room, not picking your teeth in public or breaking wind from either end.

Would you rub ointment on a patch of scrofulous skin in public? If you would there's no more to be said, but I wouldn't expect to see it in polite circles.
 
Eye drops? Certainly no worse than seeing someone using a nail file at a restaurant table. Now, that really grosses me out!
 
Thanks for your replies ! My eyes have gotten so dry that when I'm looking at something for awhile ,my eyes go blurry and I can't see. They eye doctor said to use the drops whenever that happens.... maybe 4 or 5 times a day. I never know when it'll happen so I just want to be prepared . It's hell getting old ! LOL
 
Seabreeze,
Eeewww, :) "....I've seen people floss publically, remove and replace braces/dentures and scoop chewing tobacco out of their cheek, now those things made me want to upchuck....."
Could be people who do that are so used to doing it at home they forget that people in public would react negatively to the sight of it being done.
As an aside: Something that irks me is the person who just might be being dishonest when/if they say, "Seeing it, (some physical care done in public that is kinda gross), wouldn't bother me," -- just might be trying to give others the impression they are wisely open-minded and are excepting of everyone's quirks. Okay, maybe they really are? Good. Me? I'd still look away, cuz I'm weak. LOL :)
 
I used to put eye drops in at work as I sat at my computer and never gave it a thought. None of my co-workers ever seemed offended.

Flossing in public grosses me out! I also don't like public restrooms and if I have to go in one I get my husband to hold my purse till I come back. No sense in getting germs on that and hauling them home. He has had a few people tell him his purse matched his outfit but he has a good sense of humor and can take it. :eek:
 
The worst I've ever seen was a guy with a bit of grit in his false eye take it out, give it quick polish with an antiseptic tissue and pop it back!

Mind you, that was in a bar, so gross behaviour was not uncommon. One young woman did dissolve into hysterics though!
 
There are worse thing you can do in public, sitting in my doctors waiting room yesterday I glanced around and noticed a new, young and very attractive female receptionist when, to my horror, she started to scratch around her nostril gradually working her finger up her nose, she was in up to the first knuckle and I was about to cross the room and say “ Do you realise we can all actually see you” ? when she stopped and carried with her work.....I made sure I settled my bill with the other receptionist on leaving....
 

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