# Nose-Picking Statistics **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119 "2001-09-21T23:56:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dale\_The\_Bold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dale\_The\_Bold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_The_Bold)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/1 "2001-09-21T23:56:15Z")
I have driven past people who are picking their noses, and I usually keep my eyes focused on the road. It leaves me wondering how many I _don’t_ see. For some reason, there is a belief that glass can only be transparent from one direction. I assume that people may lie about picking their noses, but are there any stats on this? How frequently to pickers pick? What percent of the population pick? What do they do with it once it’s out? ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/2 "2001-09-22T01:25:06Z")
Once it’s out I saute it in olive oil and garlic and spread it onto some nice crusty bread with a garnish of tarragon. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/3 "2001-09-22T01:40:53Z")
Well, I guess I’m an outlier, at least in this survey. I do _not_ pick my nose, in the car or anywhere else. I am serious. It really, really grosses me out. Even as a kid, I never picked my nose; at least, I don’t remember doing it. Whenever I see people diggin’ away, I just want to barf. Bleah. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/4 "2001-09-22T02:06:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Creaky \* > \*\*Well, I guess I’m an outlier, at least in this survey. > > I do _not_ pick my nose, in the car or anywhere else. I am serious. It really, really grosses me out. Even as a kid, I never picked my nose; at least, I don’t remember doing it. > > Whenever I see people diggin’ away, I just want to barf. > > Bleah. \*\* How do you keep your nose clean, then? ---
**Author:** ![bunnymom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@bunnymom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunnymom)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/5 "2001-09-22T02:19:58Z")
I’m curious to know how Creaky keeps his nose clean without picking, too. For the OP, I am picker. I can’t stand having that stuff in my nose, and I am not ashamed to pick it out and wipe it on a kleenex. I think part of the reason you see so many people picking their noses while driving is that you feel like you are ‘alone’. Even if there is some traffic, if you are alone in your car you feel _alone_. I catch myself picking on the road during long drives…sometimes you don’t realise that the other cars can see you. Just my WAG. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/6 "2001-09-22T03:25:47Z")
I’m with bunnymom. I can’t stand the feeling of anything in my nose. Well, except my finger, momentarily, when it’s on a mission of great importance like GETTING THAT OFFENSIVE THING OUT OF MY PRECIOUS NOSTRIL! I try to be dainty, but I can’t just leave the dried snot up there. In the car, I suppose, people assume others are not looking. I mean, these days looking at someone else’s face gets you shot, right? Plus, you’re generally not going to be seen by anyone you _know_. Unless you’re in a Seinfeld episode. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/7 "2001-09-22T05:52:38Z")
Ahem. I use Kleenex! I blow my nose almost constantly, thanks to my very annoying allergies, so whatever happens to be up there never even has time to solidify into, uh, boogers. There. I said it. That word. _Boogers_. Ehhhh… ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/8 "2001-09-22T06:13:10Z")
boogers? in UK we dont say that we say Bogie or snotter or greener. btw anyone who doesnt pick their nose is gross. i mean how can you stand having a massive prickly snot stuck up your nose that wont come out by blowing? pick and flick, that’s my moto. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/9 "2001-09-22T06:43:33Z")
Why do I keep coming back to this thread??? Because it’s good for my diet, that’s why! I read this stuff, and I can’t even _think_ about eating! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/10 "2001-09-22T12:47:05Z")
Something also tells me that Creaky is going to refuse to shake my hand when/if we ever meet… ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/11 "2001-09-22T15:35:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*Something also tells me that Creaky is going to refuse to shake my hand when/if we ever meet… \*\* Oh, baby. That’s why I carry little Moist Antibacterial Towlettes. You _never_ know where peoples’ mitts have been. I shake hands with alacrity, but I always wipe afterward. (What, me, compulsive?) Actually, I might just decide to freak you out and **hug** you when/if we meet! 😃 ---
**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:** [September 22, 2001, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/12 "2001-09-22T16:29:04Z")
Or really freak her out and lick her nose… sorry, it wasn’t me… I was temporarily possessed… really… :o ---
**Author:** ![JFMichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@JFMichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JFMichael)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/13 "2001-09-22T23:42:53Z")
“Remember, Ralphie, if your nose starts bleeding, it means you’re picking it too much… (slight pause) or not enough.” ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/14 "2001-09-23T00:15:27Z")
Apart from formal situations (or semi-formal ones, like work) I pretty much could give a shit if someone sees me doing something like picking my nose, scratching “places” ( :rolleyes: ), or other “gross” behavior. Of course, I only play with feces in private 😉 :eek: :wally ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/15 "2001-09-23T03:14:20Z")
Picking your nose is kinda like masterbation, _everybody_ does it just nobody wants to admit it. ---
**Author:** ![cw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@cw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cw)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/16 "2001-09-23T03:21:16Z")
lol, I actually heard this in college. 7 out of 10 people pick their nose. What they do with the sinus matter is unknown, guess it depends on the picker. Being a nose picker myself, I just wipe the booger underneath a nearby table, chair, any stationary object. ---
**Author:** ![Spydergirl\_87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@Spydergirl\_87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spydergirl_87)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/17 "2001-09-23T06:10:32Z")
I pick, gross as it is. I hate the feeling of some dried-up crusty blob stuck in my nose. Sometimes I’ll use q-tips. I only pick in the bathroom or something similarly private, tho…I’d be absolutly MORTIFIED if anyone ever saw me do it. ---
**Author:** ![andyrose2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/278dde/32.png) [@andyrose2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andyrose2000)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/18 "2001-09-23T07:05:17Z")
Creaky, ever watched What about Bob? I pick and flick regularly, glad I’m not alone. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_The\_Bold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/41988e/32.png) [@Dale\_The\_Bold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_The_Bold)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/19 "2001-09-23T07:43:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spydergirl\_87 \* > \*\*I pick, gross as it is. I hate the feeling of some dried-up crusty blob stuck in my nose. Sometimes I’ll use q-tips. I only pick in the bathroom or something similarly private, tho…I’d be absolutly MORTIFIED if anyone ever saw me do it. \*\* God bless the internet. Anonymity brings out the best in people: Honesty. Now I’m curious about how many people eat it. I’ve seen this being done. I knew a guy who used to sit in class resting his chin on his palm. He’d “subtly” sneak his pinky on a pick mission, and then suck the crusties off. Everyone knew it because they saw him. He now works at the cheese factory. Damn, I never thought about that. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119/20 "2001-09-23T16:24:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FairyChatMom \* > \*\*Or really freak her out and lick her nose… > sorry, it wasn’t me… I was temporarily possessed… really… :o \*\* Heh, heh. Yeah… maybe I should go on a mad nose-licking spree! I could do hit 'n run lick attacks… kind of like the Baltimore Foot Stomper did to people’s tootsies in _Polyester_!😃 And **andyrose** , I did see _What About Bob_ years ago, but I don’t remember anything in there about nose picking. But then, I generally can’t remember what I had for breakfast. Ehhhh, I did it to myself again; breakfast and boogers in the same thought. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nose-picking-statistics/83119.md?page=2)