In that Johnny Mac video thread, he mentioned about drivers washing their feet in truckstop sinks. I wanted to start a civilized thread about this practice, without shaming those who do it. Let's hope this thread doesn't degenerate; if it does, I will ask the mods to delete it.
Firstly, I don't think I've ever seen anybody do this (other than an occasional homeless person in NYC) who wasn't either obviously a Muslim, or who could likely be one. This is because there are several sacraments that Islam demands of the faithful. One is to pray 5 times a day. Another is to perform 'ablutions' before prayer; the washing of the hands, face, and feet.
Probably 50% of those drivers from the Indian subcontinent are Muslim, and nearly all from the Arabic and North African countries are, as well, along with a not-insubstantial number of African Americans. Indian Sikhs, however, are NOT Muslim, and do not perform these acts before prayer.
Some larger truckstops have 'interfaith chapels', of which a few have foot baths. Of the few Muslim-owned truckstops most have some facility for ablutions, but if you are working for a carrier which only fuels at Pilots, the bathroom sink is probably your only option.
I'm sure most of these drivers wish that cleaning their feet in public wasn't their only option, so please, cut them a little slack. As long as they at least try to clean the sink when they are done, what's the big deal? Maybe try talking to some of these guys once in a while. You never know when you may need help, and he would be there to provide; another sacrament if Islam is to help those in need, after all.
BTW, don't get the idea I'm some sort of Muslim apologist; I happen to be an atheist, and I believe ALL religions have a right to exist, no matter how silly their rituals look....
Washing feet in truckstop sinks
Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by Ex-Trucker Alex, Feb 19, 2024.
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The best truck stop rest room atmosphere is when someone is brushing their teeth next to the feet washing dude, while the third guy in the stall next to them is giving a birth to the biggest turd in his life.
El Hueso, nopoints405, Lpirtle and 34 others Thank this. -
You can practice your religion while trying not to offend your fellow man.Studebaker Hawk, stwik, Tb0n3 and 3 others Thank this. -
BillyBobFrank, RockinChair, Blagoje and 2 others Thank this.
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mjd4277, The_vett, Another Canadian driver and 5 others Thank this.
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After walking around and standing on the nasty floors of some of the fuel stops I had back when I was on my route in the dirty south, I almost washed my feet with my shoes on in the sinks as I swore to all things holy.
Another Canadian driver, hope not dumb twucker, Still undecided and 3 others Thank this. -
Not to be insulting or a jerk...is there a reason this cleansing has to be done in a public restroom? I mean, if they're truck drivers, why not set up some sort of facility in the privacy of their own vehicle that would satisfy their religious beliefs. That way they could abide by their religious doctrine in the comfort of their personal space and not have to impose on any other person's use of the public facilities...not to mention, they could keep their personal space as clean and sanitary as needed...have you seen how disgusting some truckstop bathrooms are. I am not in any way religious, but some of those places I have been to, I feel like I need to cleanse myself after using them.
The_vett, Studebaker Hawk, Lite bug and 13 others Thank this. -
I would never do it, but then again it really does not affect me in any way when they do.
It's really funny.
In a country that came up with sayings like 'live and let live', 'don't tread on me', 'to each his own' - and yet there is so little tolerance of different practices.The_vett, surf_avenue, Lennythedriver and 6 others Thank this. -
TB John and Another Canadian driver Thank this.
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Some restrooms still have the faucets you need to turn on with your hands. So after some monkey is done picking his feet in the sink with his hands he still has to turn the faucet off, with the very hand he just picked his feet with, and then the next person comes in and turns on the faucet that he just touched with his dirty foot hand. Gross
BillyBobFrank, silverspur, Another Canadian driver and 2 others Thank this.
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