How abnormal will I look if I wear throw away gloves at buffets?

[kirstenb1]

Ick! I'm not OCD about germs, but if it were an issue, going to a buffet wouldn't even be on my list.

 

[TruBlu]

Another latex allergy here. If you choose to do this, please make sure your gloves are unpowdered and non-latex. You could really cause some serious problems for allergic people otherwise - like anaphylactic shock.

 

[Withacy]

You know, one of the reasons some of us find this incredibly nutty is this belief that your children MUST have gotten it from the buffet utensils (specifically). Unless that is the ONLY thing you did that week (and spent the rest of the time in your sanitized hotel room), or a large number of the other diners at that buffet also got sick (AND the Health Department found the source of the virus there - and it wasn't just a statistical anomaly), that's just a strange, and unwarranted, assumption.

And kind of weird.

I know you probably think you have your children so perfectly trained that they never touch their faces throughout the day, forget to wash their hands, or breathe in deeply around other people. But truthfully, there are literally THOUSANDS of places your children could’ve picked up that stomach virus. In fact, given incubation times, they could’ve had it before you even got to WDW.

If you're so fixated on the dangers of buffets - which is seriously just odd - maybe you shouldn't go to any. For your own piece of mind, and that of your fellow diners.

 

[nytimez]

You know, one of the reasons some of us find this incredibly nutty is this belief that your children MUST have gotten it at the buffet.

I don't find that nutty at all. But I think the idea that it was on the buffet utensils/tongs and not in the food itself is a bit extreme.

After all, if that's the problem you don't need gloves -- just a fork. Then, the hands that touch the buffet utensils would never touch the food.

 

[somethingblue]

Why even ask a question like this if you're just going to argue with everyone for having a different opinion than you?

You asked how abnormal you would look.
The answer is very.
But really, do whatever you want.

Case closed.

 

[JoShan1719]

First, I have to disagree with some of the posters. My first thought if I saw you wouldn't be "she must have something contagious." I'd assume you had an issue with your immune system and were just being safe.

It does seem like more of a hinderance than a help, but if that's what it takes to make you comfortable then go for it. I doubt I'd even notice you if I were there.

 

[Sammie]

Had not even though about the latex issue. Unless you have an immune system problem, I would be suprised if you are not questioned by the staff as to why you were wearing them.

Will your children not find this very odd, do you do this at every buffet you eat at?

 

[fla4fun]

OP here,
First of all, I wasn't going to wear the big white surgical gloves that you see doctors wear. The gloves are think clear plastic type. I know there are some MD's on this site that have diagnosed me with OCD. That's fine but if your family members get sick and are in your room vomiting during your vacaiton after spending thousands of dollars, then come talk to me. And yes, I agree there are germs everywhere, but I do and have my children wash there hands frequently when we are on vacation, especially before we eat and we do sanitize as well. I know there is no way to totally eliminate germs from coming into contact with my family but there are steps we can take to reduce the chance of getting ill. I'm not worried about getting a cold, just don't want a stomach illness that can ruin our vacation. Hope everyone has a great vacation, Linda

I was staying at YC a couple years ago December when they had the HUGE norovirus outbreak going around WDW. I did not get sick. The only thing I do is carry Wet Ones individually packaged towelettes with me to wash right before eating. I do not wash until I am seated and ready to begin eating because you touch so many things if you just stop in the restroom before going to the restaurant that your hands wouldn't be clean any more. Wet Ones contain the Benzethonium Chloride that kills the norovirus where most alcohol alone based sanitizers won't. The wipes are easy to carry and to use, and also come in handy if you need to clean up for other reasons (like a bird with good aim, or someone spilling a soda down your leg in line - both of which I've dealt with).

Other than that, I don't concern myself with what I touch during the day, other than keeping my hands away from my face.

Personally, I don't do buffets because of the utensils lying in the food, and people's hands in the food. All the washing in the world can't counteract that.

 

[Hoosier37]

I just want to make a quick comment - norovirus is often spread in dining situations, and IS NOT killed by those gel sanitizers...

And it is highly contagious, and if someone gets norovirus, within 24 hours you'll spend the next 1-3 days running to the bathroom every few minutes and feeling like you are going to die...and last winter when my entire extended family had the joy of picking up a norovirus during a family get-together, not knowing my 3 year old nephew had been exposed at daycare the day before, well, we actually had a few family members in the hospital.

So while it may seem OCD to some, I can see a reason for a person to choose the gloves over the gel!

 

[DVCconvert]

.....I can see a reason for a person to choose the gloves over the gel!

Yes but neither will protect you from Heffalumps and Woozles!!

 

[Tiger926]

OP here,
First of all, I wasn't going to wear the big white surgical gloves that you see doctors wear. The gloves are think clear plastic type. I know there are some MD's on this site that have diagnosed me with OCD. That's fine but if your family members get sick and are in your room vomiting during your vacaiton after spending thousands of dollars, then come talk to me. And yes, I agree there are germs everywhere, but I do and have my children wash there hands frequently when we are on vacation, especially before we eat and we do sanitize as well. I know there is no way to totally eliminate germs from coming into contact with my family but there are steps we can take to reduce the chance of getting ill. I'm not worried about getting a cold, just don't want a stomach illness that can ruin our vacation. Hope everyone has a great vacation, Linda

I totally understand this, and have lived it, as my baby spent 2 days at Arnold Palmer's Children Hospital, courtesty of nasty kids and parents who brought them to the parks while they were ill. She was very, very, ill...We were misdiagnosed at Centra Care Clinic (hate that place), and had we taken the doctor's advice, we would have brought her into the parks and infected hundreds more people. Instead, we stayed at Wildnerness Lodge for days, and then ended up in an ambulance, as we knew something wasn't right. Talk about thousands of dollars - it was our first official visit home as DVC members, so that was $23,000. If we hadn't have gone by ambulance, specialists told us she would not have woken up...We then went for a re-visit 4 months later, and have had a bunch of other trips since then, as per my signature. No one has been ill since then, and we don't wear gloves, oversanitize our room, etc. We have a few routines, but number one is washing hands all day long with soap and water, hands away from face and mouth, and being aware - if someone is coughing or looks ill, we walk the other way, and we don't let the kids play with toys at the stores until we've washed them. It's nothing extreme, at all, and we've lived through a very scary experience with a sick baby at WDW.

I keep seeing you mention the thousands of dollars you are spending, and can't help but make the connection that you aren't as germ obsessed as some might think, but it's more of a money issue for you. You want to wear gloves in order to protect your family from getting sick, so you don't feel you've wasted money when you can't enjoy the parks if someone falls ills, as it's happened to you before.

I would say that you shouldn't go to Disney then. Disney is full of millions of people from all over the world who may bring with them germs or bacteria. I totally understand your worry about being sick, but wearing gloves at a buffet isn't going to handle airborne germs, or, germs on railings and handle bars.

As someone who has experienced a more extreme experience than you with illness, we aren't afraid of going to WDW, as we are as careful as we can be. There are many good ideas and tips on here that you can use for your trip, so hopefully you are able to work through a good solution for you and your family.

Happy health to you and your family, Tiger

 

[wanttobeinvienna]

First, I have to disagree with some of the posters. My first thought if I saw you wouldn't be "she must have something contagious." I'd assume you had an issue with your immune system and were just being safe.

Exactly what I was going to say

Look- do what makes you feel comfortable- Case in point- my mom recently had a kidney transplant. She is 6 weeks out, and is starting to venture out into the world- yesterday she came to my son's football game. She has to wear a mask, she can't hug anyone, etc. Do people look at her like she is an over-paranoid germaphobe? Sure- but she is protecting HER health. We all have different views of how to handle germs, and our bodies reactions to them- take care of yourself in the way that makes you feel great about your vacation.

The only thing I would add on is this- while germs are an issue, if I was nervous about sickness on vacation- I would stay away from buffets and quick services that keep food under heat lamps. Food sitting out too long at the wrong temperatures (not keeping hot foods hot, and cold foods cold) leads to the funk - if you are worried about that- eat at places that can prepare your meal freshly when you order.

Good luck in your decisions- and do what makes you feel comfortable!

 

[prttynpnk]

I would think that you had some sort of lizardy skin thing and appreciate that you aren't flaking into the mac and cheese.
If the whole family wore them, i would assume you were some extremely devout offshoot of a very discrete sect.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Do whatever you want to do. The last thing I am going to remember about my vacation is "the lady who wore gloves at the buffet". I have seen a lot stranger things in my lifetime. If I were to even notice, it might stick in my brain for about 3 seconds. The rest of the time will be spent looking for Mickey Waffles and enjoying my family on our vacation.

 

[larryz]

I know this may seem like a stange question but we have a big box of plastic disposable gloves that I was thinking of putting on one of my hands that I use to retrieve all the food at buffets (large serving spoons, tongs etc). I know some of you might say, why don't you just wash your hands. Well, I will before I go up to the buffet but once I get my food, I don't want it sitting at the table while I go to wash my hands. So many people handle the serving utensil at these buffets and I don't want to pick up some nasty virus right before I eat. Anyone else ever do this? Will people look at me like this

If you also wear a face mask, nobody will be able to recognize you, so it'll be all right!

 

[Tweevil]

Instead I think a little sputz of hand santitizer would do ya - before you go to the buffet and when you get to the table.....

 

[laliwalden]

I would think it was odd.

I would wonder though, wouldnt you want to wash your hands after taking the gloves off? I know when I wear gloves and take them off, my hands feel, well, gross and I have to wash them.

Plus, if your hands sweat while you have them off, yuck!! So, you may need to wash your hands anyway.

 

[pianoronni37]

I think that it's simple, do what you need to do to make sure that you and your family have a happy, safe vacation!

To be quite honest, I've eaten at buffets in Disney and while washing my hands prior to dinner, I've completely forgotten to use my travel sanitizer before eating. I lived, but I gotta say, I freaked out when I finally remembered!!

Again, do what you have to do - if it's gloves, so be it. If I'm going after you, I'll be 1)grateful that you haven't been spreading more germs and 2)reminded to use my sanitizer when I get to my table because of all the people that aren't wearing gloves!

 

[kandb]

OP here,
To tiger926, just wanted to say how sorry I am and how scary your daughters illness must have been. Glad your still enjoying WDW.

To the posters who can give their opinions nicely, thank you, much appreciated. To the posters who wants to be nasty and pick fights, not gonna go there. I am too mature and civilized to be that way.

 

[cglaura]

Could you just use a paper napkin? Maybe grab some at a quickserve place earlier in your visit or just bring some from home, paper towels, whatever...keep in your purse/bag. It could just look like you didn't want to get sauce, etc on you that might be on the serving handle. Then use sanitizer when you get back to the table.

But agreed with the pp, the serving handles are really just a drop in the bucket as far as where you can get germs.

In either case, do what will make you feel best, who cares what anyone looks at you, you're not hurting anyone.