Do you lick your fingers?

[DisneyFan32WI]

The original post in this thread reminds me of that old joke...

Question: Should Yogurt be eaten with the fingers?

Answer: No, the fingers should be eaten separately!

Joke aside though... Isn't that the correct way to eat peanut butter.

People worry too much and are entirely overly sensitive to things that shouldn't even give them a seconds thought. I'm not a dirty person, but, I have never owned any antibiotic hand cleanser. I don't worry if I rub my eyes, or lick my fingers or whatever else (with the exception of bathroom visits) that life encounters. I'm 67 years old and am hardly ever sick. I haven't even had a cold for over two years. Concern for that stuff, to me, is greatly exaggerated.

For me, it isn't about germs. It's about etiquette. That's all.

I don't use hand sanitizer, and I'm not a germphobe.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I don't worry if I rub my eyes, or lick my fingers or whatever else (with the exception of bathroom visits) that life encounters. I'm 67 years old and am hardly ever sick. I haven't even had a cold for over two years. Concern for that stuff, to me, is greatly exaggerated.

I am not concerned with your health. I am concerned that you weren't taught by your parents that you do not sit at a dinner table licking your fingers. It is gross. The fact that you haven't been sick in years doesn't help when I have to look at you putting your hands in your mouth

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I have not done that with the yogurt lid but I have no issues licking my fingers at home. Good grief, do any of you eat bbq ribs? How? I can't imagine how many napkins you go thru during dinner or trying to picture eating ribs with a knife and fork, lol!!

You go through plenty of napkins when you eat ribs and fried chicken. Believe me, I was raised on both. Never used a fork and knife to eat either.

Do you ever notice the stack of napkins the waitress brings you at your favorite BBQ joint? Actually, our favorite has a roll of paper towels at every table It's because most people know that a napkin is used to wipe your hands. Not your tongue or lips.

I am just amazed that people think it is ok to sit in public and lick your fingers. My goodness.

ETA-The person I am replying to does say "at home". I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of their own home, but to sit with a bunch of co-workers at a luncheon (just happened last week) and lick your fingers is disgusting.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I think there is a difference between "oh I got sauce on me" little finger lick and full on finger cleaning.

The first is okay by me. The second, not so much. No, not even when you eat BBQ. A little lick is fine...A lot is bad.

 

[MIGrandma]

I am not concerned with your health. I am concerned that you weren't taught by your parents that you do not sit at a dinner table licking your fingers. It is gross. The fact that you haven't been sick in years doesn't help when I have to look at you putting your hands in your mouth

But no one is forcing you to look at her.

I try not to lick my fingers at the table in a restaurant, but if DH and I are at a table, just the two of us, and we're having BBQ ribs then yes, I do lick the sauce off my fingers before wiping them with a napkin. And we use the moist towelettes (at the end of the meal) that the server brings. If someone doesn't like it they don't have to watch.

I don't do it at a buffet as I know other people don't want my germs on the serving utensils, and I don't want their germs on them either. But when a plate of ribs is served to me in a restaurant then yes, I will lick the sauce off. But otherwise, when eating out, I do use a napkin to wipe my fingers rather than lick them.

At home I will lick them if I've eaten something like Cheetos, or chicken, any finger food really. Then I'll get up and go wash my hands properly.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That reminds me of a story a relative told me. He was in a large room with a bunch of people. Everybody was standing. He couldn't hold it any longer and knew a fart was coming. He had the brilliant idea that he could kick the wall at the same time as he farted and nobody would notice. Unfortunately, his timing was off. He kicked the wall. Everybody looked at him, then he farted.

 

[kamik86]

I definitely lick my fingers. Now I don't think I do it that much in public but honestly... I probably do and just don't notice or think about it. Especially when eating traditional messy finger foods (BBQ ribs or saucy wings for example)

However as far as the germs and being sick. I am sick WAY less then my slightly germophobe husband.

Yet as I said I am sick much less then most people I know definitely much less then my husband. when I do get sick its not as bad I can't remember the last time I was sick enough where I couldn't go to work (I sometimes don't go in just because I can work from home and don't want to get everyone else sick, but it wasn't because I was too sick to work) and even with not stopping everything and just sleeping all day I still get over being sick faster then my husband who will just stop and sleep all day.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think there is a difference between "oh I got sauce on me" little finger lick and full on finger cleaning.

The first is okay by me. The second, not so much. No, not even when you eat BBQ. A little lick is fine...A lot is bad.

I''ve never seen ANYONE clean their paws like a cat. Although, I find some of the criticism on this thread REALLY over-the-top.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Oh I have definitely seen people going to town on their fingers.

 

[buzzrelly]

That reminds me of a story a relative told me. He was in a large room with a bunch of people. Everybody was standing. He couldn't hold it any longer and knew a fart was coming. He had the brilliant idea that he could kick the wall at the same time as he farted and nobody would notice. Unfortunately, his timing was off. He kicked the wall. Everybody looked at him, then he farted.

Omg!! Hilarious! Hahahahaha!

 

[Luv2Run]

Not my fingers. Not my tongue.

Not my problem.

 

[Minnesota!]

Why not just skip the licking part and wipe your fingers off with the wet wipe?

That is just basic manners not to lick your fingers, especially in public. It's very gross. I am not even thinking about germs when I see people sitting and licking their fingers. I am thinking they are disgusting. Do adults really do this in public and think it is ok?

Another thing I can't stand is nose blowing at a dinner table/where people are eating. Who doesn't know that is wrong?

If I have sauce or whatnot on my finger, why let it go to waste? My mom told me not to waste, food, too...starving kids in Africa and all that.

The nose-blowing is the king of things that make me puke. And, my co-workers all do it.

That reminds me of a story a relative told me. He was in a large room with a bunch of people. Everybody was standing. He couldn't hold it any longer and knew a fart was coming. He had the brilliant idea that he could kick the wall at the same time as he farted and nobody would notice. Unfortunately, his timing was off. He kicked the wall. Everybody looked at him, then he farted.

OMG that is an awesome, awesome story!!!

The original post in this thread reminds me of that old joke...

Question: Should Yogurt be eaten with the fingers?

Answer: No, the fingers should be eaten separately!

Joke aside though... Isn't that the correct way to eat peanut butter.

People worry too much and are entirely overly sensitive to things that shouldn't even give them a seconds thought. I'm not a dirty person, but, I have never owned any antibiotic hand cleanser. I don't worry if I rub my eyes, or lick my fingers or whatever else (with the exception of bathroom visits) that life encounters. I'm 67 years old and am hardly ever sick. I haven't even had a cold for over two years. Concern for that stuff, to me, is greatly exaggerated.

I think there is a difference between "oh I got sauce on me" little finger lick and full on finger cleaning.

The first is okay by me. The second, not so much. No, not even when you eat BBQ. A little lick is fine...A lot is bad.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Boy, I didn't realize how absolutely disgusting I really am!!!! Now, thanks to the posts here, I know I'm only one step above a Neanderthal.

I have been known to lick my fingers. How can anyone eat Doritos, ribs, fried chicken without it???? Besides, that's where some of the best flavor is!

I have been known to sit at a fast food restaurant without a napkin in my lap! And even dunk my French fries in ketchup before I eat them, which I'm guessing now is also offensive.

I have blown my nose in public. No, not at the dinner table. But certainly in my office at work. Or in a store if I'm shopping. I always figured it was better to blow when I had to than to run around looking for a bathroom with snot dripping down my face. But now I know better! And if I have a cold, I'll spend more time in the bathroom than at my desk, but if that's what it takes.

And if you want to be really horrified, I'll tell a secret. I have actually passed gas outside of a bathroom at least once in my life!

Now I'm wondering how I ever made it this far in life! I really am disgusting!

 

[JanaDee]

Boy, I didn't realize how absolutely disgusting I really am!!!! Now, thanks to the posts here, I know I'm only one step above a Neanderthal.

I have been known to lick my fingers. How can anyone eat Doritos, ribs, fried chicken without it???? Besides, that's where some of the best flavor is!

I have been known to sit at a fast food restaurant without a napkin in my lap! And even dunk my French fries in ketchup before I eat them, which I'm guessing now is also offensive.

I have blown my nose in public. No, not at the dinner table. But certainly in my office at work. Or in a store if I'm shopping. I always figured it was better to blow when I had to than to run around looking for a bathroom with snot dripping down my face. But now I know better! And if I have a cold, I'll spend more time in the bathroom than at my desk, but if that's what it takes.

And if you want to be really horrified, I'll tell a secret. I have actually passed gas outside of a bathroom at least once in my life!

Now I'm wondering how I ever made it this far in life! I really am disgusting!

Aren't you glad you have the Dis to tell you everything you are doing wrong in your life?

 

[Sanchez]

Boy, I didn't realize how absolutely disgusting I really am!!!! Now, thanks to the posts here, I know I'm only one step above a Neanderthal.

I have been known to lick my fingers. How can anyone eat Doritos, ribs, fried chicken without it???? Besides, that's where some of the best flavor is!

I have been known to sit at a fast food restaurant without a napkin in my lap! And even dunk my French fries in ketchup before I eat them, which I'm guessing now is also offensive.

I have blown my nose in public. No, not at the dinner table. But certainly in my office at work. Or in a store if I'm shopping. I always figured it was better to blow when I had to than to run around looking for a bathroom with snot dripping down my face. But now I know better! And if I have a cold, I'll spend more time in the bathroom than at my desk, but if that's what it takes.

And if you want to be really horrified, I'll tell a secret. I have actually passed gas outside of a bathroom at least once in my life!

Now I'm wondering how I ever made it this far in life! I really am disgusting!

Acceptance is the first step.

 

[Mizzoufan]

I don't find it gross. I have found myself doing it esp after eating Cheetos

 

[Christine]

Top 12 Rude Dining Behaviors

1. Talking or Texting on Cell Phones

Cell phones should be turned off, on vibrate or silent during a meal. Never answer the call unless it is an emergency. If expecting an emergency call, then let your table party know so that when you receive it, you can excuse yourself from the table and talk outside.

2. Chewing With Your Mouth Open

The mouth should be closed when chewing. ABC (already been chewed) is not an appetizing sight.

3. Talking With Mouth Full

When the mouth is full of food, wait to speak until you have swallowed the food. Again, it is not appetizing to see food and when talking with food in the mouth, some could accidentally get spit onto your guests.

4. Blowing Nose at the Dinner Table

It is very offensive and unsanitary to blow one's nose at the table. Excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

5. Rudeness to Wait Staff

Being rude or impolite to the wait staff is unacceptable. If you do not like your food or wine, let the wait staff know politely and they will get you a replacement. However, if you have eaten most or all the food on your plate or drank most of the wine, then you should not expect a replacement meal or drink.

6. Picking Your Teeth

It is inconsiderate to use a toothpick, fingers, or utensils to pick at your teeth at the dinner table. If food is stuck in your teeth, then excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

7. Burping

Sometimes burping may be unavoidable, but try to suppress it using your napkin.

8. Flatulence

Sometimes passing gas may be unavoidable, but try to suppress it. Squeeze the anal sphincter hard until the urge goes away.

9. Licking Fingers

If your fingers happen to get food on them, use your napkin to wipe them clean. Or, excuse yourself, and use the restroom to wash hands.
10. Grooming or Make-Up

Although commonly seen in restaurants, the place to primp is in the restroom.

11. Alcohol Overindulgence

It is uncouth to drink too much. It is also unhealthy to have too much alcohol and unsafe to drive. Even if you have a designated driver, alcohol tends to unleash obnoxious behavior.

12. Not Leaving a Tip

Unless the service was unbearable, a 15% to 20% tip should be left. If the service was terrible, speak discretely with the restaurant manager.

Just because you (the general you) think it's okay to lick/suck your fingers in public, doesn't mean it is okay. I bet many of you who think it's okay, would find many of the above items rude or tacky.

Instead of taking such offense, how about just realize that sometimes your behavior in public is offensive. I know people hate to be criticized but the behavior is kind of off.

 

[LBIJim]

I was going to mention that I dislike eating BBQ ribs and chicken for this reason. I still do on occasion, but I just really hate the sauce getting all over my fingers and under my nails while I eat. And yes, I do use lots of napkins rather than suck on my fingers throughout the entire meal.

I'm not opposed to eating finger foods in general, just not super messy ones.

I don't eat yogurt, ribs, fried chicken, wings, Cheetos, Doritos, or any other messy finger foods, so I'm unlikely to gross anyone out. I just don't like getting all that gunk on my fingers, no matter how good the food might taste.

Sometimes I DO eat pizza with a kniife and fork. At least the pointy end if it insists on flopping over. But no to a Snickers bar with a knife and fork.

But I've been known to release a silent but deadly while out in public.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Just because you (the general you) think it's okay to lick/suck your fingers in public, doesn't mean it is okay. I bet many of you who think it's okay, would find many of the above items rude or tacky.

Instead of taking such offense, how about just realize that sometimes your behavior in public is offensive. I know people hate to be criticized but the behavior is kind of off.

That list you post is just someone opinion. Doesn't make it right or wrong just someone opinion.

 

[Christine]

That list you post is just someone opinion. Doesn't make it right or wrong just someone opinion.

Everything is an opinion. There are no "good manners" facts.