Shandle Now Part of Urban Dictionary

It's a great day!

The Shandle has officially been listed on Urban Dictionary, This will forever to solidify our favorite toilet seat handle's place in the universe of obscure and hilarious words.

Visit the link and give us a thumbs up so that we can replace the competing definition of Shandle:
"An unfashionable wearer of both socks AND sandles at the same time can be defined as being a shandle. "

Obviously our toilet seat handle deserves the elite #1 spot!

As the momentum continues to build and we work to market our new product...we find ourselves pleasantly surprised at how the universe just clicks sometimes. Here is to a wonderful 2009! Now that the Shandle definition has been set, lets go out and get some toilet seat handles into the world!

An Unhappy Christmas

Recently stories have been circulating the web about an epidemic in England where young boys are having there privates crushed under the weight falling toilet seats. The issue is real and has lead to overnight hospitalization and humiliation for at least 4 boys.

The Boys, between 2 and 4, each experienced a similiar accident after they had lifted the seat by themselves, without supervision. Clearly the heavy seats are to blame, however with a bit of training the accidents could be avoided. Would a Shandle helped prevent this accident by making it easier to lift the toilet seat into the full upright position?

One doctor has gone as far as saying toilet seats should remain up at all times (to the delight of many lazy men) He has also pointed out that with the holiday season approaching it is crucial for parents to check the bathroom for heavy seats at their relatives homes before letting their sons loose. The later is practical advise for sure.

The NY Times column about the issue.

NYC Public School Shandle

Somewhere in the East Village a public school is supporting the Shandle's smart design, excellent function and antimicrobial protection.

While toilet seat handles should be the norm in every public school bathroom around in America, they aren't. Yet.

It is a holiday treat to receive this image from Shandle Nation!

If you're a student or parent with an exceptional teacher in the New York City Public Schools visit Thank A Teacher to show your appreciation.

It will be a nice holiday treat for them as well.

New Jet Blue Terminal

Jet Blue has opened their new terminal at JFK!

The $800+ million dollar remodel of the original TWA Terminal (designed by Eero Saarinen in 1962) was opened to much fan fare in late October.

The extensive remodel includes a food court, retail areas and of course, public bathrooms that feature toilet seats with built in handles!!!

While these handles are not Shandles by name...they are a first cousin and add support for the idea that you never have to touch the toilet seat again!

Jet Blue is a stylish brand that is as well know for being cool as it is for flying planes. Their inclusion of toilets with seat handles is a public endorsement of The Shandle concept.

Well done Jet Blue!!!

Shandle: The Gift that Gives Twice

The World Toilet Organization (WTO) has designated November 19th World Toilet Day! The WTO is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide.

Sanitation is a problem that people are often shy to discuss. But a reluctance to talk about sanitation is part of the reason why an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to sanitation. The WTO is working diligently to improve the lives of these people.

To help celebrate World Toilet Day the Shandle has partnered with the WTO and will donate $1.00 for every Shandle sold between November 19th and December 31st to help their cause. Visit www.theshandle.com today to learn more.

The Shandle: Toilet Seat Handle is an unique and fun holiday gift for anyone who uses a toilet including:

• college students
• boyfriends
• bar owners
• potty training parents

The Shandle comes in a unique gift box so you don't have to wrap it, and if fits nicely inside a stocking! There is a design for everyone and you'll be supporting a worth cause!

Sripraphai- The Sani Seat

On a recent trip to my favorite Thai restaurant Sripraphai in Woodside I was reminded of their strange bathroom set up. Before I delve into the details of their toilets I want to recommend two dishes you should eat if you ever get the chance visit. The food is great!

Favorite Dishes @ Sripraphai

• Drunken Noodles. A salty experience. Perfect texture and just a touch of spice.
• Panang Curry- Seriously this is the reason for living. It can be a bit spicy, but this creamy red curry is out of this world. Order medium temp if you are at all scared of the heat. I always get chicken version and love it.

Now for some details of Sripraphai's Thai Style bathrooms. (I guess they are not really Thai style, but I like it that way.)

First the sign which designates the Mens room and Womens room. The image below pretty much sums it up. Based on the sign you'd thing "Warning...peverts lurking...use at your own risk." What makes this so weird to me is that the bathroom isn't coed. There is a mens bathroom and a separate women's bathroom. Someone thought this sign would be appropriate. HUH? This is a place of business!
















Next is the SANI SEAT. This thing is nuts. Basically its a never ending toilet seat cover that is motorized. Wave your hand above the sensor and ZOOM!!! The plastic wrapping keeping the seat SANI is sucked into the device and new clean wrapping is pushed out.

I fully admire the function of this thing, but I really rather it wasn't there. I confess I didn't sit down on this seat. I just don't feel comfortable with it. What if the sensor was activated while I'm doing my biz? Then I'd be twisted off the seat and on to the floor and probably break my wrist. Best case scenario: rope burn on my ass. OUCH!

While The Shandle doesn't serve the exact same function as sani seat, I do believe it encourages clean habits with out the risk of ass burn! I'd rather leave the ass burning to the panang curry!

Nassau Coliseum-Future Shandle Spot

Last night I went to my first NHL game in Nassau Coliseum. After a short ride on the L.I.R.R., which could use some Shandles BTW, I arrived in Heampstead where I was promptly picked up by two hockey loving hockey moms. (Actually I was picked up by some guys I know.)

A short drive past Hofstra and we arrived at regionally famous Nassau Coliseum. The building is 40 years old and it hasn't aged well. It looks as though they used to host Man vs. Beast battles here 2000 years ago. In fact...I think Russel Crow is scheduled to battle a tiger there next week.

This arena is Classic 70's America. I felt like I was haunting an episode of that 70's show, only we were not watching a Ted Nugent concert...we were watching Hockey. Hockey is excellent when watched live and I definitely would like to witness it again. There is never a dull moment on the ice.

Now to the point. There were not many women at this hockey game, and there were even fewer women's restrooms...which was actually a good thing seeing as the men's room line was consistently three times longer than any ladies room line.

To make a long story short...as soon as I entered the bathroom...BAM! bodycheck right into a stall that prominently presents me with a piss covered seat in all its nasty glory. For fear of being attacked as a pervert I didn't take my camera out for a photo and I didnt' touch the toilet seat.

My question is this: Despite the fact we are at a hockey game in a HIGH volume bathroom, had there been a Shandle on this seat would it have been lifted up before it was pissed all over in the first period of the match?

My belief is that with a toilet seat handle, the seat would have been placed in the UP position and left that way until the ice on the arena floor had melted under the warm blood of Russel Crow and that tiger.

The Shandle, Public Crusader?

While it obviously serves as a useful tool for lifting the toilet seat up and putting it back down, The Shandle also serves the public good. Letting anyone personalize the toilets they commonly share in public might just enhance the clean factor.

Think work, gym or church.

Do you ever wonder how many people use the toilet at the Starbucks every day? Some folks apparently go into Starbucks only to use the toilet.

I personally find that Starbuck's bathrooms are pretty nasty and I'd rather use a lower volume toilet at the neighborhood gas station. Maybe all the caffeine makes it hard for people to aim, or clean up after themselves. Perhaps if there was a bright colorful handle on the seat courtesy would increase.

I can't promise there will be less pee on the seat, or more trash in the bin, but The Shandle provides an anonymous reminder that OTHER PEOPLE USE THIS BATHROOM TOO! The nasty, filthy bathroom bandits that are so quick to disrespect the public toilet may just shape up before the ship out.