Please stop licking your fingers at Cabanas

[brentm77]

Maybe this doesn't deserve it's own post, but not only is it my pet peeve, it is a health and safety issue. I was reminded of it because of the other thread that was discussing getting sick when cruising and hand sanitizer. I normally avoid buffets, but make an exception on DCL and for some Disney park restaurants. Every single time I have been to Cabanas or a buffet at Disneyland or Disneyworld, I see grown adults dish something up and lick some food off their fingers that they got on them. First, how are they getting food on their fingers this often? That doesn't seem to be a problem I run into. Are you sticking your hands into the dish? Second, how are people so self-unaware that they think this is ok to do and then go on and touch a serving utensil with that hand? If you do this, please stop. Please have a little self-awareness of those around you and how your actions may affect them. Please practice a little hygiene for everyone's benefit.

If I prevent one future finger-licker at Cabanas, I will have made the world a little better place.

 

[Princesca]

Well said If it wouldn't have insane environmental consequences, I'd love for everyone to wear gloves. Or some way to go back to CMs serving the food. Every time I've ever gotten sick from Disney I believe it's been due to a buffet.

 

[BeckyEsq]

I wish we could go back to the days of cafeteria ladies in hairnets serving the food.

 

[happycamper47]

I wish we could go back to the days of cafeteria ladies in hairnets serving the food.

Almost like that on the WISH... Didn't see any "hairnets"...

 

[lilsonicfan]

ooh another thing I liked about Cabanas during the pandemic, and Holland America buffets even without pandemic - the workers serving you, not self-service.

 

[Sanchez]

I commend you for fighting the good fight, though people who do this likely aren't introspective enough to notice the problem. Cruise buffets bring out the worst in people - especially the first day. I once saw a woman, plate piled high, who stopped to eat in the middle of the chaos while sucking each and every one of her fingers. A crew member patiently explained to her that she needed to sit at a table prior to eating. I guess she thought the food would run out while she was sitting.

Our solution to this problem is to grab several paper towels from hand washing stations and use them to pick up serving utensils. No way am I touching those things, especially prior to eating.

 

[Princesca]

I commend you for fighting the good fight, though people who do this likely aren't introspective enough to notice the problem. Cruise buffets bring out the worst in people - especially the first day. I once saw a woman, plate piled high, who stopped to eat in the middle of the chaos while sucking each and every one of her fingers. A crew member patiently explained to her that she needed to sit at a table prior to eating. I guess she thought the food would run out while she was sitting.

Our solution to this problem is to grab several paper towels from hand washing stations and use them to pick up serving utensils. No way am I touching those things, especially prior to eating.

People are so weird.

That's a great idea! I might also recommend to our party that the parents dish the food for the kids. We have to with ours, he's too young, but the other kids are older.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Our solution to this problem is to grab several paper towels from hand washing stations and use them to pick up serving utensils. No way am I touching those things, especially prior to eating.

That's a good idea. I always use hand sanitizer as soon as I get to my seat after touching serving utensils. Also after touching a menu!

 

[TikiRob]

Sounds like the type that stops their large group in the walkway between Small World and Peter Pan.

 

[anjuan]

I'm not a big fan of the self-service option also and wish they would go back to serving the food. On my last cruise on the Dream I literally saw a pre-teen boy sneeze into the food. So gross!

I'm going on NCL's Prima ship this May and very glad that they have multiple options for meals besides their buffet.

 

[soniam]

My son just wipes his hands on his clothes instead of licking or using a napkin I don't think I lick my fingers at the buffet, but I am always amazed about the things we do unconsciously but consider gross when someone says them. Like touching my face during covid. I can't tell you how much my face, nose, and eyes felt like they needed scratching, rubbing, or touching during covid; it felt 10 times worse than before

 

[CamColt]

I wish we could go back to the days of cafeteria ladies in hairnets serving the food.

Thankfully we only have to wear hats, not hairnets.

 

[CamColt]

Back in the day when they had the buffet at Palo Brunch a group was in front of me, with 1 person being sort of a high profile person in Disney circles. He was eating off his plate with his hands, while still in line. I was shocked! But the dress code rules also didn't apply to him so It seems it was ok for him to do as he pleased.

 

[Nike4000]

I carry bandanas with me for this exact reason. It's big enough to cover/protect my entire hand, easily fits into a pocket, and can go through the laundry with zero issues. I almost always have a backpack with me while cruising that contains a few bandanas. You never know when you're going to need one!

 

[bcwife76]

The people licking their fingers are probably the same ones who skip washing their hands before entering Cabana's too

 

[Titanium]

I wish we could go back to the days of cafeteria ladies in hairnets serving the food.

I remember the harnetted ladies at my grade school in Miami, one PLOP and I'd been served a square of green jello with something floating in it immobilized.

 

[Titanium]

The people licking their fingers are probably the same ones who skip washing their hands before entering Cabana's too

From the sad but true category, ugh.

 

[MomOTwins]

I always bring a pack of sanitizer wipe s and wipe my hands (and make my kids wipe their hands) once seated after getting our food. I just assume there are germs on all those spoon handles.

Can we also have a reminder not to pick food off your plate with your hands and put it back in the buffet when you change your mind about it? I have seen this more times than I would thought possible given common sense.

 

[Melissa S]

This is why I avoid the buffet and eat all meals at the MDR. I also can’t stand the people that push the serving utensil to the side and grab the food with their hands

 

[pixiedust2u]

That's a good idea. I always use hand sanitizer as soon as I get to my seat after touching serving utensils. Also after touching a menu!

I said it on another thread and I’ll say it again here…
Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus (stomach bug) Which is the virus you have to be most worried about before eating. Wash your hands after handling communal utensils and before eating or use a napkin to handle the serving utensils.