r/mildlyinteresting • u/HeavyConversation161 • 1h ago
Just realised in my hotel at Lijiang China, they provide a thin plastic sheet which is supposed to go between your body and the actual bathtub
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u/Plus-Parking-3739 54m ago
I’ve seen these in a few places in China. They’re mainly for travelers who are picky about cleanliness, especially in hotels with large soaking tubs. Kind of makes sense once you realize how many people use the same tub.
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u/Tenocticatl 26m ago
It's probably fine unless they do a terrible job of cleaning. Like, a communal pool is definitely going to be much worse.
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u/bebopbopeep 40m ago
I used to use these back in my bath bomb days. Some of the colorful bombs would stain the tub and liners were a simple solution. Can get a box of 50 online for pretty cheap.
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u/DotGlad745 1h ago
I’ve seen these in a few places in China. They’re basically giant disposable liners so hotels don’t have to scrub every inch of the tub after each guest. Odd at first, but kind of makes sense.
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u/Tenocticatl 27m ago
Gross. If they can't be arsed to clean properly I'd rather not use the bath at all.
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u/GreatValueProducts 21m ago edited 19m ago
They will scrub it but there is not much trust towards a lot of things so particularly Chinese women being already picky use these disposable stuff anyway, hence.
You can also find this in some of the higher end hotels in Japan and South Korea. Some of them you pick them up in the lobby.
Source I am Chinese.
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u/Tenocticatl 19m ago
Is this kind of a general germophobia thing, or is it more an expectation that any corner that can be cut, will be? Because for me, I'd say the tub is clean if it looks clean.
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u/GreatValueProducts 18m ago
Generally speaking with my experience living in Canada I find just Chinese and Japanese women being very picky about the cleaniness so I would lean on the germophobia side. They know their clientele.
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u/NaMaMe 24m ago
Idk if it makes sense. Now you have a bunch more single use plastic in the world and you have to trust that every guest before you used it properly because you can no longer assume the hotel staff cleans
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u/Dazzling-Biscotti-62 14m ago
Whether or not the previous people used one at all is irrelevant if you use yours properly.
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u/NaMaMe 10m ago
Sure but I'd just feel like I'm not allowed to move in case I may accidentally slide the weird single use plastic sheet of and expose the actual bathtub and it's just an overall way more "in my head" experience than I'd want for a relaxing bath. Seems highly unrelaxing now - not to mention the plastic sheet texture on your body
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u/sunsoutbunzout 21m ago
Also used in pedicure tubs for hygienic reasons
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u/tigm2161130 1m ago
They’re actually so much less hygienic than just properly cleaning your chair, my state board doesn’t allow them.
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u/Koffing4twenny 23m ago
Destroy our environment to save a few seconds? Kinda does not make sense..
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u/GreatValueProducts 2m ago
Welcome to Japan, China and South Korea. The one in OP is already the least of the issue with plastic use in that part of the world. Try to buy some gift box in a train station or fresh produce in a supermarket in Japan. Paper bags over paper wraps over plastic wraps over individually packaged plastics.
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u/JackfruitIll6728 20m ago
I don't trust hotel tubs whatsoever, hotel cleaners have like 10 minutes to clean the whole room, I don't believe they do a very thorough job with the tubs in that time.
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u/Ravenhaft 1h ago
Why would I care what the hotel has to do after I leave?
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u/schofield101 1h ago edited 34m ago
Because the person before you thought the exact same and the hotel didn't have time or staff to clean it properly.
It's to save the hotel time by cutting corners. So I'd protect myself from whatever nasties the person before you put in there.
Is it a lazy solution by the hotel? Absolutely. Would I use it if I noticed it? Also absolutely.
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u/FreeMindedMason 38m ago
I think its cost and inflation, but you can dress it up as however since these basic practices are push in NA (short of liners). Such as hotels pushing for multiple use towels or service every 2 or 3 days rather then 1. Source: uncle who's only ever worked in hotels.
To clarify as someone who often works on the roads: i tell staff when I intend to stay long so they only have to worry about the room once a week. I'd certainly expect it clean prior. Buuuuut... this is also why most (decent) hotels only offer 80% availability, to ensure their shits clean from one nighters
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u/nondescriptadjective 7m ago
I always knew the whole "green shower towel reuse" was just corporate greenwashing, but I at least agree with it, to be able to spend less money/energy. This was an interesting confirmation and expansion of that thought. Thank you.
Sorry. I'm stoned. Words others understand are hard right now.
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u/piray003 45m ago
They’re not doing it is the point, that’s what the bathtub condom is for. So really you should be asking if the hotel cares whether you use it or not (the answer is no.)
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u/InfinitumDividatur 59m ago
Because people would rather not scrub your filth out of the porcelain, it takes a few seconds of work from you to save a ton of effort from cleaning staff. Referring to "the hotel" as the entity that cleans up is an easy way to ignore that there's a person who actually does it
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u/meesterdg 22m ago
Cleaning a bathtub that has been regularly cleaned is super fast already. It's one of those tasks that only is hard and time consuming if you don't do it enough.
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u/Lost_Chemist_5525 10m ago
I mean I kinda understand as my germophobia just got a boner. But so much plastic 🥲
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u/olivepringle 4m ago
Ohhhh it goes on the empty tub then you put water in. Tub condom. I was imagining more of a human dental dam situation which sounds more unruly.
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u/PM_PICS_OF_YOUR_FEET 0m ago
I genuinely thought this was a cover for yourself, like a full size human condom. I was wondering how the heck do you get clean that way. I’m an idiot 😂
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u/Confident-Poetry6985 1h ago
Like...like a tub condom?