The sub-headline of this article is a direct quote from one of my friends. Most of us have that one friend. The one that doesn't participate in certain "icky" or "gross" activities. The one that despite it being college and that means you're living in close proximity with people and germs are a thing, they continue to freak out over things like sharing food or drinks. They're a germaphobe and that makes life just a little bit intense sometimes- especially when you take their Nutella without asking (more on that later). One of my best friends in college is a germaphobe and it has made life both interesting and puzzling at times.
So here are 11 things I've learned while having a germaphobe as a friend
1. DO NOT SHARE FOOD
This is an important one. Germaphobes do not like sharing food under almost an circumstance. If nobody else touches it, then it should be fine. Otherwise, do not expect your friend to join in- or let them have the first bite and then call it a day.
2.On the subject of food, no double dipping
We had an incident at some point in the year where I forgot my friend was a germaphobe. She had Nutella (my kryptonite) in her room and I had no Nutella so I was like "I'll casually take some of her Nutella." Her roommate, warned me that that might not be a good idea... Needless to say, I went in for one or two scoops of Nutella and when she came back, I inherited the whole jar because she was not happy.
3. Drinks are a solo venture
Similarly with food, drinks are off limits. If you need a sip of your germaphobic buddy's water, either hard core fountain it or you are out of luck. If you want to show your friend a new drink, let them have the first sip or two- cause otherwise they probably won't touch it.
4. Sharing vitamins is caring
The only edible thing you can expect your germaphobe friend to share with you should be vitamins. I'm 90% positive it's not because of a want to share as much as they're happy you're taking vitamins instead of eating something unhealthy and gross- like brownies.
5. If you're sick, get AWAY
Once or twice during the school year, I got sick. The normal place where our friends would hang out was in my germaphobe friend's room. Needless to say, whenever I was sick, I was not invited to hang out with the group. I was welcome to sit my sick self in the hallway, but I wasn't allowed in the room.
6. No feet... anywhere
Feet are apparently the ultimate carrier of disgusting germs. They do not go on the furniture. They do not go on the bed. And they absolutely do not touch anyone- even for a nice little love tap or to get someone's attention.
7. Get off the bed
In a college dorm, there is limited sitting space. Sometimes you're tired of sitting on the floor. In your mind, what's the big deal of sitting on the bed. That's what beds are made for, right? Maybe every other bed excluding your germaphobe friend's bed.
8. Hand Sanitizer is a necessity
Never fear, your friend will always always always have your back whenever you need hand sanitizer... and sometimes even when you don't. From experience, I'd say it's just better to accept the hand sanitizer- even if you feel like it's unnecessary.
9. When they ask if your washed your hands, it's code for "I love you"
-or sometimes it means "did you wash your hands". Occasionally, it means both.
10. You constantly hear "I need to clean"
And you will regularly be impressed by how often the bathroom is cleaned, how often she vacuums, and yet how somewhat disorganized everything is. But hey it's great to have a relatively clean room in college- especially if you accidentally leave your door open during open floor hours and are singing in the shower when your CFA walks in (and is promptly kicked out by your awesome best friend who saw the whole situation unfolding badly)- true story.
11. They're the one that gets sick the most- due to God's sense of humor
Nobody in our friend group was sick nearly as much as she was. Which was sad. But after the fact, absolutely hilarious, considering who's the germaphobe and all. Maybe the lack of germs she came into contact with seriously affected her ability to fight germs, or God was just getting a good chuckle in.
Meeting and learning from new people who have many different habits and quirks is all part of growing up and exploring the world. I love Fromke, however strange and quirky her germaphobe ways may be. While I think she might be a bit extreme, she does have a few valid points when it comes to cleanliness.
