the unwashed masses....

[t1master]

LONDON (AFP) - Shared combs and brushes have been banned from Britain's lower House of Commons in a bid to thwart headlice, a newspaper said.

The Sun reported that communal hairbrushes and combs were being axed under health and safety regulations.

The sweeping new rules were also intended to halt the threat of blood-borne diseases like AIDS being spread.

Combs and brushes have been provided in the washrooms for centuries so lawmakers can smarten up before meeting visitors or entering the chamber.

The move has left some members itching with fury.

"Health and safety have run riot. It's lunacy," raged main opposition Conservative lawmaker Anthony Steen.

Speaker Michael Martin soothed fears the days of well-coiffed members were over.

"MPs can bring in their own combs," he said.

Nick Harvey from the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats also brushed off the complaints.

"There have been no reported cases of communicable diseases or infestations relating to the use of communal combs and hairbrushes in members' washrooms over the last 10 years.

"The risk of anything being spread was low - but it did exist.

"Nothing would ever have tempted me to use these objects," he added.



http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...t_050706005745

[PanzerJaeger]

Is there a comb shortage over there, because here you can get one for about $0.35.

In any event.. yuk.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Its just another case of the ills that socialism/communism brings. By your own damn combs and brushes like a real capitalist.

[_Martyr_]

Combs and brushes have been provided in the washrooms for centuries

...its a tradition that has absolutely NOTHING to do with socialism Gawain.

[scooter_the_shooter]

What kind of idiot would use them you dont know where the brushes been

[Sjakihata]

Its just another case of the ills that socialism/communism brings. By your own damn combs and brushes like a real capitalist.

actually, if it had been stalinist communist, there would probably have been 5 mio. excessive combs

[bmolsson]

Its just another case of the ills that socialism/communism brings. By your own damn combs and brushes like a real capitalist.

Wrong. A real communist have a short haircut and is in no need of a comb or a brush. It goes better with the uniform......

[JAG]

Its just another case of the ills that socialism/communism brings. By your own damn combs and brushes like a real capitalist.

lol, poor dig - it is only like this because of stupid traditions anyway. Tradition isn't really a socialist standpoint. :p

It is amazing that some of the most powerful people in the UK still share combs...

[Don Corleone]

Okay, enlighten your ignorant cousins across the pond. Why on Earth would your legislators share combs, or any other article of personal hygiene? For the love of God, please don't tell me they share toothbrushes too (though, that would explain a lot....)

[Roark]

It's pretty simple guys...

The Parliamentary bathrooms are a lot like they have at expensive hotels, with a grooming kit at the sink, colognes etc

They're not penny-pinching or anything. Sheesh.

[Don Corleone]

Okay, let's move the conversation to the British upper class at large then. Why are you sharing combs in expensive hotel washrooms? That only happens at very sketchy barber shops over here. Most of them hygienize each comb after being used. If you want to offer combs to people, have a jar full of them. As PJ pointed out, it won't break you....

[Roark]

I wasn't suggesting that it is only the British upper class who use communal combs. Lots of American movies that feature an expensive hotel washroom show the little kit with the body sprays, combs, attendant etc.

Maybe they get hygienised, maybe they don't...

This conversation is feeling very surreal.

[Roark]

I just re-read what I wrote, which sounded very arrogant and self-assured.

I'm no expert on bathrooms... I'm just very hungover.