# Gloves off... let's tackle all aspects of eating etiquette. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082 "2019-06-05T16:06:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/1 "2019-06-05T16:06:14Z")
Open discussion. I’ll start with two specific, and especially disgusting, practices that irk me. First, **sticking out one’s tongue to receive the food** being eaten. And second, **taking a drink while still chewing the food** in one’s mouth. Both acts are vile, and a pretty strong indicator that the perpetrator was raised in a trailer park. Thoughts?? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/2 "2019-06-05T16:18:35Z")
Eating with gloves on is pretty bad, too. What you got against trailer parks? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/3 "2019-06-05T16:21:34Z")
I think that people that find fault in things like this are very insecure. We’re not talking picking your nose and eating it at a state dinner. Drinking while chewing? I can’t imagine I’d even notice. But I’m sure I do something that offends you that just hasn’t been mentioned, yet. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/4 "2019-06-05T16:30:30Z")
I haven’t noticed people sticking their tongue out except to eat ice cream cones and the like. Sometimes it is necessary to take a drink with food in your mouth. Otherwise if their mouth isn’t gaping open and they aren’t making disgusting noises, why are you staring at them while they do this? ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/5 "2019-06-05T16:34:12Z")
Chap at Eton used the mustard spoon instead of his boiled egg spoon to eat his boiled egg. We ribbed him mercilessly for several days. Then stabbed him to death in his bed six months later. It was for the best. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/6 "2019-06-05T16:46:11Z")
Licking one’s fingers at the table is disgusting and chewing with mouth open is never acceptable. These are very noticeable things, lest anyone think I’m monitoring people as they eat.:o ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/7 "2019-06-05T16:54:22Z")
Yep, some people stick out their tongue while conveying the food to their mouth. It’s gross. Yep on the finger-licking, too. A friend here at work likes salad dressing so much that she runs her fingers around the inside of the little plastic dressing cup to winkle out the last drops, and then sucks her fingers. Gah. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/8 "2019-06-05T16:54:26Z")
My FIL will blow his nose at the table. The only thing I can think of that might be more disgusting would be changing a baby’s diaper on the table. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/9 "2019-06-05T17:09:01Z")
Ok, USAians, [bibs in seafood restaurants](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB766GB766&biw=1694&bih=1068&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=7_b3XMLgHveGjLsP8fC48AI&q=joe%27s+crab+shack+bibs&oq=joe+bibs&gs_l=img.1.0.0i7i30.16623.19186..21458...2.0..0.46.212.5......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i8i7i30.KHno3paJndo). What are you, two years old? It makes you look ridiculous, and the idea that an adult can’t eat without splattering himself with food is disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/10 "2019-06-05T17:17:15Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Licking one’s fingers at the table is disgusting Does that apply to buffalo chicken wings and barbecue ribs? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/11 "2019-06-05T17:18:35Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Ok, USAians, [bibs in seafood restaurants](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB766GB766&biw=1694&bih=1068&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=7_b3XMLgHveGjLsP8fC48AI&q=joe%27s+crab+shack+bibs&oq=joe+bibs&gs_l=img.1.0.0i7i30.16623.19186..21458...2.0..0.46.212.5......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i8i7i30.KHno3paJndo). What are you, two years old? It makes you look ridiculous, and the idea that an adult can’t eat without splattering himself with food is disgusting. Good one! And why, I wonder, is it a seafood thing? I would think sucking spaghetti into your mouth or eating ribs would be a lot more perilous. In any case, it is not a good look. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/12 "2019-06-05T17:25:01Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Chap at Eton used the mustard spoon instead of his boiled egg spoon to eat his boiled egg. We ribbed him mercilessly for several days. Then stabbed him to death in his bed six months later. It was for the best. I hope you used your fish knife just to further insult the lout! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/13 "2019-06-05T17:54:48Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I hope you used your fish knife just to further insult the lout! And pinkies out! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/14 "2019-06-05T18:01:19Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Ok, USAians, [bibs in seafood restaurants](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB766GB766&biw=1694&bih=1068&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=7_b3XMLgHveGjLsP8fC48AI&q=joe%27s+crab+shack+bibs&oq=joe+bibs&gs_l=img.1.0.0i7i30.16623.19186..21458...2.0..0.46.212.5......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0i8i7i30.KHno3paJndo). What are you, two years old? It makes you look ridiculous, and the idea that an adult can’t eat without splattering himself with food is disgusting. They are for eating lobster, crab, and the like. You never know when you’ll get sprayed opening the shells. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/15 "2019-06-05T18:05:18Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Good one! And why, I wonder, is it a seafood thing? I would think sucking spaghetti into your mouth or eating ribs would be a lot more perilous. In any case, it is not a good look. I’ve seen bibs at rib places. Spaghetti can be managed. [Too late] And the seafood bib only comes out if you’ve ordered something that has to be dismembered and cracked open as you go. Sometimes those things spray a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/16 "2019-06-05T18:13:12Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > I’ve seen bibs at rib places. Spaghetti can be managed. > > [Too late] And the seafood bib only comes out if you’ve ordered something that has to be dismembered and cracked open as you go. Sometimes those things spray a bit. Yeah, they’re de rigueur for eating a bunch of steamed crabs Maryland style, for sure. That dish overwhelms other containment efforts, and I do want to preserve my clothes from the mix of crab juice and Old Bay spice. I don’t give a crab’s hindquarters about how I look when I’m enjoying 'em. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/17 "2019-06-05T18:24:51Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Licking one’s fingers at the table is disgusting and chewing with mouth open is never acceptable. These are very noticeable things, lest anyone think I’m monitoring people as they eat.:o > [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Does that apply to buffalo chicken wings and barbecue ribs? Nope. Licking ones fingers when eating wings and ribs should be forgiven. Everybody does it. After all, KFC’s slogan used to be “finger lickin’ good.” ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/18 "2019-06-05T18:54:31Z")
Commenting on anyone’s food and drink choices is wrong. And vile. I’m a non-drinking vegetarian. I don’t have to explain that to anyone, including you. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/19 "2019-06-05T19:12:35Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > My FIL will blow his nose at the table. The only thing I can think of that might be more disgusting would be changing a baby’s diaper on the table. For some of us, eating – even non-spicy food – makes our noses run. That’s just a basic fact of biology. Deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082/20 "2019-06-05T19:18:58Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > My FIL will blow his nose at the table. The alternative is sniffling/snorting to draw the mucus back up into the nose/throat. Take your pick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gloves-off-lets-tackle-all-aspects-of-eating-etiquette/835082.md?page=2)