Would you share with a stranger?

[2Tiggers]

Don't get me wrong, I understand the idea of sharing food with a stranger is unusual and I don't hold it against anyone for saying no, but I don't see this as being much different than someone offering to buy you lunch.

As long as you split it up into separate bowls, how is it any different than a business lunch with someone you've never met?

Even if you ate out of the same bowl, it's only dangerous if one of the people is sick. People thinking it's disgusting falls into the same reasoning behind not eating off a brand new trash can lid or eating out of a factory fresh toilet.

I would simply say no thank you - with a smile.

However if someone wanted to share with you if and only if you split it up into seperate bowls before you start eating that would be nice.

Sharing with strangers out of the same bowl is a bit dangerous. I have been trained well in cross contamination. So be cafeful not to mislead anyone. As a previous poster stated you could contract mono which I hear from people who have had it it is pretty miserable. There are other things to worry about far worse than the common cold or flu. The herpies virus - the one that causes cold sores, Hepititus - very serious just to name the things that came to me right away. So, not really similiar to eating off a brand new trash can lid (which I would do) or eating out of a factory fresh toilet (wouldn't do this - well just because of the idea it is a toilet).

So I would just simply say no thank you - with a smile.

Your intentions are very generous.

 

[Tikitoi]

Just couldn't bring myself to do it. So a kind No thank you would be said.

 

[AMVmom]

I would say no thank you but mainly because my children are notorious for digging into other peoples food and I'd be afraid that even if I paid for half we'd eat almost all of it. However it is really sweet of you to think of that and if it were just my husband and I then yes I would definitely split it; we're not eating out of the same bowl and it will be split.

I agree about the buffets; at least the kitchen sink would only be divied up between 4 people and the server could do that for you; at the buffet think of all the people touching the serving spoons, trying to peer under the sneeze guard (I think there's a reason why the guard is there so please don't stick your face in front of the food). Sharing the ice cream is nothing at all.

 

[AngVT]

I bet if you asked for a 2 person sundae along the kitchen sink line... they'd do it... why buy the gallon, when you'll just eat the quart? Too bad there aren't freezers in the fridges at the resorts huh? mmmm yummy ice cream leftovers!

Now... buffets... am I the only one that tries the farthest away from the front piece of whatever I want to eat, or mines to get a spoonful of whatever I want from the bottom of the dish, cuz I don't want the germy one on top? What'cha do is get to the buffet, when it opens, then you don't have to worry about food contamination! aha... breakfast buffets.... yum!

No, I probably wouldn't share my ice cream, or share with anyone else, if they asked. I would be polite, and say no, thanks.

 

[serinlea]

I voted No but thank you...but that was before I saw your separate bowls option. For some reason that didn't even occur to me, so my initial reaction was just "ick!" The only person I will eat/drink out of the same container with is my DH, because I'm pretty much resigned to sharing any and all communicable diseases with him anyhow.

But yeah, split into separate bowls first, we'd gladly share it (and the cost) with you!

 

[Missy29]

I would say no, thank you
I won't even eat at a buffet.

 

[catherine]

Nah, I wouldn't do it, but I don't think it's particularly disgusting, I just would probably be going there with my own agenda, and I'm not a big "sit with strangers at their table and eat their ice cream person". I don't mind striking up a conversation on the bus or in line, but I'd feel awkward sitting at someone's table.

This is exactly what I was going to say!

 

[Tbelle1976]

Yuck....only if it came with a side of anti-biotics

I guess it's just me but I won't even let my family eat off my plate, or drink from my cups! Just the way I have always been...even with my kids. It has nothing to do with "that's mine!", I just have never been comfortable with it.

I guess that if you had seperate bowls and I could see them dish it out before someone got their grubby little paws on it, it might not be such a big deal.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

No way. Gross. As for sharing something with friends, well I wouldn't share the same bowl with them either and they feel the same way. My family is one thing. Some random person? Never. I am sure you are a very nice person but I would think you were a wacko. I wouldn't say that to you but I would think it. Even if it was separate bowls. No way. Then again when I am on vacation I am not interested in even sharing a table with strangers. I will talk to you while waiting for a ride or on the bus/monorail but I don't want to break bread. Nothing personal. We like our private time as a family.

As for eating out of a new toilet or on a new garbage can cover...... I don't even know how this relates. No I wouldn't eat off of any of those things simply because that is not what they are intended for. I am not an animal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't mind striking up a conversation on the bus or in line, but I'd feel awkward sitting at someone's table.

One of the most enjoyable meals I had at Walt Disney World was at the old Artist Palette at the Disney Institute. It was the table service restaurant at the time, and I was given the option of my own table, or being seated at the community table. The latter was round and held either eight or ten people, maximum, and not all had to be seated (or finish) at the same time. I met some very nice people and had some interesting conversations. The closest seating arrangement Disney has now is Biergarten or Teppan Edo - and since that's not by choice, some people (not DISers, of course, but other Disney Guests) are sometimes displeased with that arrangement.

As for eating out of a new toilet or on a new garbage can cover...... I don't even know how this relates. No I wouldn't eat off of any of those things simply because that is not what they are intended for. I am not an animal.

But it's got NOTHING to do with being an animal. Those are items people perceive as being unclean, i.e. germy - even though in their brand new, entirely unused for their intended purpose they are ENTIRELY and safe to eat from - and were mentioned in comparison to sharing portions of ice cream from a single LARGE bowl with persons you did not know before sharing.

 

[Tricia1972]

Everyone has their own opinion and comfort levels as to this question. I don't think it's fair to debate your opinion and make someone else defend why they feel the way they do.

Some like it, some don't, debate here probably won't change anyone's viewpoints.

This is a fun thread and I'd like to see it stay open

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oops, sorry. "But why" was rhetorical. And my other quote/response was simply explaining why people are using the two examples they are, as comparisons to sharing A LOT of ice cream from a HUGE dish - literally, a kitchen sink!

Going back to edit now...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

One of the most enjoyable meals I had at Walt Disney World was at the old Artist Palette at the Disney Institute. It was the table service restaurant at the time, and I was given the option of my own table, or being seated at the community table. The latter was round and held either eight or ten people, maximum, and not all had to be seated (or finish) at the same time. I met some very nice people and had some interesting conversations. The closest seating arrangement Disney has now is Biergarten or Teppan Edo - and since that's not by choice, some people (not DISers, of course, but other Disney Guests) are sometimes displeased with that arrangement.

To be honest we ate at Teppan Edo and since we are a large family only had 2 people that we didn't know at our table. It was a Mom and son. They were very kind and very nice people. However, I think we would have preferred to have our own table. It wasn't awful but it was something we would have liked to enjoy with just us. Especially since it was our first time there. IT was fine though and like I said, they were wonderful company.
But it's got NOTHING to do with being an animal. Those are items people perceive as being unclean, i.e. germy - even though in their brand new, entirely unused for their intended purpose they are ENTIRELY and safe to eat from - and were mentioned in comparison to sharing portions of ice cream from a single LARGE bowl with persons you did not know before sharing.

I see what you are saying. I just would eat off of them because that is not their purpose. Clean or not. I also think that sharing one large bowl of anything with strangers is gross and is unclean and germy. You put the spoon in your mouth and then in the bowl. Blech! I am not a germaphobe but food sharing wiht strangers skeeves me out. If I was being truthful, the only place I will eat at a buffet is at WDW. I know that that is probably the germiest place but I block it out. If I think about it it will make me ill.

 

[Shellydm]

no thank you!

 

[suzimar57]

eww - no thank you - ewwww.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I see what you are saying. I just would eat off of them because that is not their purpose.

Right. I wouldn't eat off either of those surfaces either but I can understand why people are using those as comparisons in this thread. Heck, at home I usually use paper plates (and let's save the 'environment' issues for a different thread )!

I also think that sharing one large bowl of anything with strangers is gross and is unclean and germy. You put the spoon in your mouth and then in the bowl.

Nope, I agree here too - not because I'm concerned about other peoples' germs, but because I wouldn't want to share mine with them! But I did select "yes but separate bowls" in the poll, and I would have a pretty good idea in advance how much - or, really, little - I would want to place in my bowl before we even started. NO reflections AT ALL on Matt71 and his DW - I appreciate their offer, and if this doesn't work on their upcoming trip and they want to visit again when I am there...

By the way, at buffets? I tend to take from the top corner - not because of any potential germs or hazards, but because I like the crusty/crunchy texture best found on the top of baked entrees.

 

[jennipooh]

..in 2003 when ds was 4, a stranger offered him an icecream at cosmic rays. It apparently came as dessert with whatever plan was going on back then and the man didn't "have room for it."

DS is not shy at all, but I could read the look on his face...."why is the creepy man offering me ice cream?" I guess we just aren't used to the generosity of others. I had to coax son into accepting the wrapped ice cream so as not to hurt the poor guys feelings.

DS is now 9... there is no way he would sit down on the spot with strangers and eat ice cream with them. He will talk their ears off on the monorail or bus or in line for an attraction. I just don't think he could eat their ice cream like that. Maybe if he met them outside first and then we were invited into the restaurant to eat.

As for me, I can be the biggest mooch ever, I just would feel awkward having to sit down with strangers and talk over free ice cream (served, of course, in seperate bowls!!). I think I would be looking for hidden cameras the whole time. But then again, maybe, it could be one of those magical Disney memories...."Remember the time that crazy man and lady bought us ice cream?.....Yeah, that was crazy!"

 

[terbethk]

I really don't get what's so disgusting about it if it's divvied into bowls before anyone starts eating.

I would partake, so long as it was divvied up first, and I would also pay for half (or whatever fraction I'd be eating), however, I don't think I would want to share a table with someone I don't know well. I'm HORRIBLE at small talk and feel very uncomfortable in situations like this. That would be my thing. Nothing against anyone...I think it would just be awkward.

 

[amandaC]

The kitchen sink is fun but honestly, I would take the No Way Jose over it anyday!

 

[Matt71]

As for eating out of a new toilet or on a new garbage can cover...... I don't even know how this relates. No I wouldn't eat off of any of those things simply because that is not what they are intended for. I am not an animal.

It relates from a psychological sense, because as PP stated, people tend to refuse to eat off those items because of what they are, not how clean they are. And as many other posters have stated divvying out icecream from the same bowl into "separate bowls" is in no way harmful to you either.

I understand people refusing to share "one" bowl, especially with iceream which melts and gets all mixed together, but the fear of simply sharing with others using separate bowls just confounds me and strikes me as irrational.

As I mentioned previously our society has become a society of subtle fear where people are afraid to interact with each other. People might talk to a stranger on the bus, but usually only when engaged by that person and mostly because they can't walk away.

We live in a society where neighbors don't talk or even know each others names. Where you might be nice and snow blow their sidewalk, but wouldn't dare ask them over for dinner. In general people must be forced to interact either through work or shared recreational activities like sports. We sit behind computer screens talking to strangers every day, but only under teh shadow of anonymity.

Things haven't always been this way. There were times not so long ago when sharing your food with strangers was a social requirement. When refusing an offer of hospitality was considered rude. Now, simply trying to get us back to that point (at least a little) makes others perceive you as a "weirdo" or that "crazy couple".

Want to see people get really freaked out?

Matthew & Janet *****
*** **** Ave
Ypsilanti, MI *****
734-***-****

Stop being afraid people. Give us a call or stop by and say hi.