Washing of the Feet

@acmepride (1546)
United States
April 20, 2009 10:17pm CST
While in Disney World last week, I came across a guy in the bathroom literally washing his feet on the sink. While I may be wrong, he appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. I don't know if that's their practice so I didn't really know how to react that time. Another guy (American) who was about to get out of the bathroom emphatically exclaimed: Are you serious? He didn't specifically address anyone, though. If you were in my place, how would you have reacted?
2 people like this
11 responses
@kodigo (171)
• Philippines
6 May 09
Maybe he stepped on something and just want to get rid of it. There nothing being clean. But its pretty awkward to do it in a public comfort room. But in times of emergency maybe he did it for a reason. And who know, in their country or in their culture, it is normal. I'll just let him finish what he is doing and ignore what I've seen.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
5 May 09
Surprise, surprise, surprise! Whoooahoo whew! Sometimes you are just caught off guard and are totally at a loss for words. As we become more diverse, we will be exposed to things and behaviors we are not familiar with. I suppose it is a sign of the times.
2 people like this
• United States
4 May 09
The American guy has to respect the Middle Eastern man. I believe it is their practice to wash their feet. It's there way of foot spa.
2 people like this
@ketybhagat (4123)
• India
21 Apr 09
Actually its a wrong practice, but you know, with these Middle Easterners, probably a Muslim, for he would want to say his prayers and they cant do it without washing their hands and feet, and not having a bathroom but all loos, he decided to use the sink. Its wrong on his part, but they dont care, so long as they can say their namaz properly.
2 people like this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
22 Apr 09
Well I would probably think it was weird for someone to do that in a public restroom, I've never seen anyone do that. I wouldn't say anything, I'd just think they were crazy or something, and remember not to wash my hands at that sink..haha.
2 people like this
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
5 May 09
This would be a Muslim performing ritual washing before prayer most likely. Part of the ritual involves washing of the feet which tends to be difficult but not impossible in a sink. I believe the intent is to present yourself in a clean state when you pray.
2 people like this
• India
6 May 09
Well, like many said before me, in all probability this guy was a Middle Eastern muslim and as per their regular practice, they wash their feet and this person found nothing else so he utilized the sink. I’m sure he did not take it as a footbath but was just being resourceful. Me? it would have shocked the life out of me and I would have walked out immediately and called in the cleaning guys.
1 person likes this
@aweins (4199)
• India
6 May 09
hi acmepride, well, i would be really short of words at that time becasue after reading your discussion also i needed time to respond back so after watching him doing so i would have been struck , lol, what else, i donno, i mean i what can you say to a grown up man , he can take things otherwise also and sometimes certain religious issue , if touched, they can take it otherwise also and then you are screwed. so, i think i would prefer to be quite than to give him any piece of advice. there are many more people out there who can do that, but not me, first lt i will not be having words at that present moment and secondly i will be a little afraid also that how will the person react after my advice. i know he must be muslim and then washing feet is in their culture before prayer,.
1 person likes this
@sharay (2769)
• India
6 May 09
This is what i would have done
1 person likes this
• Philippines
21 Apr 09
I believe he is of Middle Eastern descent. He is a Muslim. It's their practice. They wash their feet because whenever they enter a mosque they remove their shoes and go inside bare-footed. If I were in your place I would probably tell him that the sink is not the proper place to clean your feet. You can get or ask the janitor or attendant for a bucket so you can fill it up with water and wash your feet in the toilet.
2 people like this
@sunil_008 (1269)
• India
6 May 09
Hi, I would have said 'holy feet'.then i would have probably given him a smile like gesture.anyway i would have certainly asked him about the washing reason in the sink.well, if its a public place and you find something weird like this then you need to say something about it.otherwise who knows someday that person will do something else somewhere...
1 person likes this