h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have just registered today on H2G2 and am finding my way around. I'm really enthused, and am sure I can get some answers to some of the questions that have bothered me over the last 34 years.

As a starter then, I'd like to know this.

Why is it that I am quite happy to use the same piece of loo paper to wipe food from around my mouth, blow my nose, and wipe my bottom, BUT ONLY EVER IN THAT ORDER. Is there some unwritten rule of body fluid hierarchy? Are the rules the same for all cultures?

I apologise for not having filled in my homepage details yet. Will do in next day or two.

Regards,
Jonathan

Jonathan, I have to say, that is not a question that has been plaguing ME for the last 30 years, but now you mention it, i would just say that i am perfectly happy to use the aforementioned tissue to wipe my mouth AFTER blowing said nose. But ONLY if there remained some portions of unsoggy tissue with with which to use. Lightly soggy would be acceptable too. However, once the tissue has hit the toilet bowl, it is pretty much a write off in all respects. Hope this helps your reseach!

Whilst not to do with wiping. My Optitian did have a note in his room stating that sometimes people use saliva as a wetting agent for har contact lense dispite frequently containing bacteria. Urine, n the other hand is normally sterile and therefore is more advisable as a wetting solution.

CH

All that money wasted on Bausch & Lomb solution! Well, some people swear that drinking a cup a day of one's own urine ensures good health. I saw an MD on TV who was one proponent of this. I'm sticking with apple cider, myself!
PLT, Mick.

Again the redunancy (see note posted to your home page) - is there any other form of cider than Apple?

CH

Ghandi apparently was an enthusiastic supporter of drinking urine. The question which arises amongst (we) non-drinkers is: warm or cold?
Also: the Army teaches on survival courses that if there really is nothing available which could be in any way considered sterile (ie. you don't have a medical pack) urine is useful for cleaning wounds.

I would need to wipe the mouth before blowing the nose.
Isn't it cider if it's made from pears?

Other forms of cider, well the flavors we have at our shop are apple, strawberry apple, peach, pear, cranberry. I find the others too sweet apple is the best. It is the fizzy alcohol contained kind. We do make ski wine in the winter with loads of spice heated in a big pot and put into wine skins. I can't imagine drinking urine. What a topic, from tissue to pittle. I guess that is why I like this site so much.
Hoppa

If it's made from pears, it's called Perry ('lo Mrs. Patterson, yespleasefankyou')

I prefer the rough stuff myself. Lots more body, lots more flavour, and no gas to blow the belly up!!!

I'm afraid that the definition of cider is 'an alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of APPLES'.

Who says? Obviously in Canada (and in the far back recesses of my mind) it can refer to other fruit.
"The meaning of a word is its use" - Wittgenstein and Lewis Carroll put it rather more wittily but I can't remember the exact quote.

"When I use a word", Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."
Wasn't that what Wittgenstein said?
One of my daughter's 16 year old friends was startled to discover recently that Humpty was an egg and not a potato as she had previously thought.

Thank you. I knew someone would know, After the (semi) anonymity haveing people around to fill in the blanks is the best thing about h2g2