What is the HUGE deal with straws?!?!?

[lorenae]

You never go to restaurants or get fast food? Literally every fast food restaurant you order a drink from hands you a drink with a lid and a straw. If you sit down and eat at a restaurant and get a fountain drink, the waiter is going to almost always hand you a straw. Maybe you run in weird circles.


But as for paper/plastic, I prefer plastic, but paper does the job on most fountain drinks. On frozen drinks or milkshakes, they are terrible. Granted I have seen a couple large diameter ones recently, so maybe they are figuring that out.

Actually, no, I haven’t had fast food in probably 30 years outside of WDW. And at a restaurant (which is maybe twice per year at most), I use a glass just like I do at home. On a plane, again, no straw just a glass (plastic though of course). I never use a straw, don’t own any, and I’m surprised at how many adults demand them. I don’t tend to use any plastic if possible to avoid- landfills are filled with our disposable items from straws to k-cups to laundry containers.

My daughter buys those cold coffee drinks, and they often come with a straw I know.

I don’t “run in weird circles”- I just don’t drink soda or other things with sugar or artificial sugar- so I didn’t get this big straw hullabaloo.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Actually, no, I haven’t had fast food in probably 30 years outside of WDW. And at a restaurant (which is maybe twice per year at most), I use a glass just like I do at home. On a plane, again, no straw just a glass (plastic though of course). I never use a straw, don’t own any, and I’m surprised at how many adults demand them. I don’t tend to use any plastic if possible to avoid- landfills are filled with our disposable items from straws to k-cups to laundry containers.

My daughter buys those cold coffee drinks, and they often come with a straw I know.

I don’t “run in weird circles”- I just don’t drink soda or other things with sugar or artificial sugar- so I didn’t get this big straw hullabaloo.

Judging people for using them and not seeing it at all is way different. You made it sound like you had never seen people use them and the very idea that people used them flummoxed you and I know I'm not the only person who wondered where you live.

You don't have to drink sugary drinks. Water is extremely common and I surely hope you don't have an issue with that.

I'm not sure anymore if this thread is about paper straws or more about judging others for their lifestyles kinda confused here.

 

[fsjking]

Actually, no, I haven’t had fast food in probably 30 years outside of WDW. And at a restaurant (which is maybe twice per year at most), I use a glass just like I do at home. On a plane, again, no straw just a glass (plastic though of course). I never use a straw, don’t own any, and I’m surprised at how many adults demand them. I don’t tend to use any plastic if possible to avoid- landfills are filled with our disposable items from straws to k-cups to laundry containers.

My daughter buys those cold coffee drinks, and they often come with a straw I know.

I don’t “run in weird circles”- I just don’t drink soda or other things with sugar or artificial sugar- so I didn’t get this big straw hullabaloo.

You said you never see a typical adult use a straw. That would mean you run in weird circles. That has nothing to do with your personal drink or garbage choices. The vast majority of american adults use straws.

 

[lorenae]

Judging people for using them and not seeing it at all is way different. You made it sound like you had never seen people use them and the very idea that people used them flummoxed you and I know I'm not the only person who wondered where you live.

You don't have to drink sugary drinks. Water is extremely common and I surely hope you don't have an issue with that.

I'm not sure anymore if this thread is about paper straws or more about judging others for their lifestyles kinda confused here.

I’m not a judgemental person at at- I responding to a very snide remark about how ignorant I am, that I “dont get out much”. But it’s true that I do drink water, and have my stainless water bottle when I travel. I don’t use a straw with it and I seriously didn’t realize that people in restaurants use them. I do go to restaurants but never got a straw.

I seriously wondered why there was an uproar on a FB group about this, as I didn’t even know it was important- that’s all.

 

[lorenae]

You said you never see a typical adult use a straw. That would mean you run in weird circles. That has nothing to do with your personal drink or garbage choices. The vast majority of american adults use straws.

Ok, then. I’m just surprised that “I run in weird circles” and “The vast majority of american adults use straws”. I seriously did not know that. I’ve never seen a straw at the restaurants I dine at.

 

[mom2rtk]

A lot of people use them because they have sensitive teeth. Others use them because the ice in their drinks shifts when they lift the glass and can cause spills.

 

[mom2rtk]

Ok, then. I’m just surprised that “I run in weird circles” and “The vast majority of american adults use straws”. I seriously did not know that. I’ve never seen a straw at the restaurants I dine at.

I haven’t not been given a straw in a restaurant in a very long time. I usually eat out a couple times a week. Typically chain casual places. On the Border, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden type places.

 

[kathyk2]

Some disabled people need straws in order to drink. Plastic straws are the best because they are flexible and won't hurt your mouth if you bite down on it.

 

[lorenae]

Some disabled people need straws in order to drink. Plastic straws are the best because they are flexible and won't hurt your mouth if you bite down on it.

Yes, I mentioned that right away. My friend with a CP son absolutely needs it, and I totally get that.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m not a judgemental person at at- I responding to a very snide remark about how ignorant I am, that I “dont get out much”. But it’s true that I do drink water, and have my stainless water bottle when I travel. I don’t use a straw with it and I seriously didn’t realize that people in restaurants use them. I do go to restaurants but never got a straw.

I seriously wondered why there was an uproar on a FB group about this, as I didn’t even know it was important- that’s all.

If you go to restaurants then you're saying you never see anyone with a straw? In all the years of growing up? How old are you? Where do you live? Those are personal questions that you can feel free to ignore (really don't feel like you have to answer them just me wondering out loud here). I'm in my 30s and can confidently say in all the travels I've been to straws have always been constant. This is the same with our parents whom it's just normal behavior. Many servers just plop straws down on the table. My step-father-in-law tends to not drink with a straw but he's older than mid-60s from New England area and certainly has seen people drink with straws.

CA, in particular, in recent years has gone the way of reducing plastic consumption and waste and so when my husband was on a work assignment in CA for 9 months he just got used to asking for straws because that was the law (restaurants could provide straws if requested) but no one thought it was strange behavior to drink out of a straw which is what you were saying. That's why people were here.

If you're wondering about the uproar about paper straws people were trying to answer (taste, degradation, flimsy, etc) about that but it seems more like you're wondering why anyone would use a straw at all in which case the questioning does come off more like judgmental towards people who use straws period. I can see you didn't intend for that to be the case though

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A lot of people use them because they have sensitive teeth. Others use them because the ice in their drinks shifts when they lift the glass and can cause spills.

I don't like ice in my drinks so I typically ask for them without but one of the things that I dislike is ice right on my lips and teeth. At restaurants I don't tend to bother to ask for no ice with water as often they just bring a tray of waters to the table, a straw is appreciated in that case. Even then when I do ask for no ice in other drinks I still prefer a straw. You're right about the spillage.

 

[North of Mouse]

Haven't gone to paper straws in our area yet, thankfully! I hate them, and don't understand the big out cry against plastic ones when there are so many larger things that clog the land fields than straws - like maybe baby diapers, for starters??? I used mostly cloth diapers for mine - in the day - not advocating them now, just saying one of the larger products that never (almost) decay - take out containers also (mostly), grocery plastics, etc. etc. etc.

I seldom use straws at home, but mostly don't use ice either. I always use straws when eating out, don't like ice touching my teeth, also don't like drinking directly from restaurant glasses - call me strange, it's ok - but DON'T give me a paper straw!

Would never normally make a fuss online - not worth it - posting here is the most I'd rant!

 

[lorenae]

If you go to restaurants then you're saying you never see anyone with a straw? In all the years of growing up? How old are you? Where do you live? Those are personal questions that you can feel free to ignore (really don't feel like you have to answer them just me wondering out loud here). I'm in my 30s and can confidently say in all the travels I've been to straws have always been constant. This is the same with our parents whom it's just normal behavior. Many servers just plop straws down on the table. My step-father-in-law tends to not drink with a straw but he's older than mid-60s from New England area and certainly has seen people drink with straws.

CA, in particular, in recent years has gone the way of reducing plastic consumption and waste and so when my husband was on a work assignment in CA for 9 months he just got used to asking for straws because that was the law (restaurants could provide straws if requested) but no one thought it was strange behavior to drink out of a straw which is what you were saying. That's why people were here.

If you're wondering about the uproar about paper straws people were trying to answer (taste, degradation, flimsy, etc) about that but it seems more like you're wondering why anyone would use a straw at all in which case the questioning does come off more like judgmental towards people who use straws period. I can see you didn't intend for that to be the case though

I’m older, and sure, I saw straws at fast food joints when I went there many years ago, but never used one or saw my parents use one. I very rarely go to restaurants, and when I do I go to “nice” restaurants, so that when someone mentioned having a straw plunked down for their drinks at one, that is what surprised me. I think the light went on for me when someone mentioned Olive Garden, Chili’s type restaurants. I guess I could see that at a casual restaurant, if not drinking wine.
Even as a kid, my parents would order me water or milk if we went out, while they had wine or beer so I never saw them drinking from a straw at home or at restaurants either.
That all makes sense, thanks. I still don’t get the outcry on that Facebook group over this (yell about the prices, the lack of services, etc) but now I definitely understand it.

 

[bdcp]

We just got back from the parks. The paper straws start to get soft after a bit but they work. And, they don't give you lids. The only place I saw lids were on kids drinks in restaurants. Some restaurants here use paper, some use what appears to be plastic, but I'm pretty sure is a biodegradable product. We ate at Homecomin and they had straws that appeared to be made from something organic. I have no problem with the good paper straws. Just don't g back to what we had as kids that literally fell apart after about 5 minutes and you couldn't use them for milkshakes at all as they would collapse.

 

[Marrila]

I’m older, and sure, I saw straws at fast food joints when I went there many years ago, but never used one or saw my parents use one. I very rarely go to restaurants, and when I do I go to “nice” restaurants, so that when someone mentioned having a straw plunked down for their drinks at one, that is what surprised me. I think the light went on for me when someone mentioned Olive Garden, Chili’s type restaurants. I guess I could see that at a casual restaurant, if not drinking wine.
Even as a kid, my parents would order me water or milk if we went out, while they had wine or beer so I never saw them drinking from a straw at home or at restaurants either.
That all makes sense, thanks. I still don’t get the outcry on that Facebook group over this (yell about the prices, the lack of services, etc) but now I definitely understand it.

No objections from me to servers providing silverware, napkins or straws. If the policy for straws is by request, that's fine too. The places I dine utensils are politely set down when needed. No "plunking."
I am not interested in watching what other diners do. I'm happily busy enjoying our meal.
And yes, I frequently dine with someone who needs a straw.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Sensitive teeth - must have straws
I bring my own - hate paper straws
All for saving environment - I also have my own reusable cup
Hardly anything I drink without a straw
switched to ice coffee with straw - can’t stress enough sensitive teeth
Paper straws are worthless just my opinion

 

[MICKIMINI]

Are we to eat with our fingers in places that only provide plastic utensils? I drink everything with a plastic straw, even coffee.

 

[mom2rtk]

I hope the people begruding others straws aren't ordering things from Amazon every week. The waste in that packaging is so much worse than my occasional straw when I eat out.

 

[k5xs]

In 2017, Americans used about 390 million plastic straws each day. That's enough to circle the Earth. And it takes 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose.

Each year 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from ingesting plastic.

I am glad Disney has switched to paper straws.

 

[jo-jo]

In 2017, Americans used about 390 million plastic straws each day. That's enough to circle the Earth. And it takes 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose.

Each year 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals die from ingesting plastic.

I am glad Disney has switched to paper straws.

That's more than one straw per person per day. I probably used about 10 in the last year. Who is using up all my straws?????