# Straws or no? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 14, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125 "2008-12-14T16:29:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/21 "2008-12-15T07:04:43Z")
I use straws in restaurants, for reasons already mentioned. I wish they would go back to paper straws for soft drinks, water and iced tea. Although paper straws were never good for milk shakes, it seems like they would probably be better than plastic straws for the environment, but I might be wrong…probably kills more trees or something… ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/22 "2008-12-15T07:45:24Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I wish they would go back to paper straws for soft drinks, water and iced tea. > Although paper straws were never good for milk shakes, it seems like they would probably be better than plastic straws for the environment, but I might be wrong…probably kills more trees or something… How about the natural rye grass straws that paper straws replaced? Or, even better, reusable metal straws? To reply to OP: I always use straws at restaurants also because I hate ice. At home I never use them. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/23 "2008-12-15T08:10:10Z")
I always use them. I’ve heard that it’s a bit more feminine to use a straw (I’m a man) but damn that convention. My teeth are quite sensitive to cold. It’s been that way my whole life. I even underwent a few root canals from an overzealous dentist to try to fix it, to no avail. It’s not a health problem, just an inconvenience. With a straw, I can draw cold liquid to the back of my mouth. No problem. Sipping an ice cold drink from a glass - agonizing. I can barely do it. World of pain. Hot doesn’t bother me. But cold? I simply can’t enjoy cold liquids or foods (probably why I’ve never liked ice cream). So straws are great. If I wouldn’t look like a damn fool, I’d drink a beer through a straw. As it is, I just need to let the beer warm up a bit (ice-cold - no good. Cool - ok.) before I drink it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/24 "2008-12-15T09:40:00Z")
It’s better for my teeth for sugary drink to bypass them via a straw, so I use them whenever I can, including at home. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/25 "2008-12-15T10:07:59Z")
Yea for straws. My dentist recommended I use them when drinking anything acidic or sugary. On a side note: I have an antique hand made glass straw that would be a bugger to clean so I have never used it. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/26 "2008-12-15T10:53:35Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Yea for straws. > On a side note: I have an antique hand made glass straw that would be a bugger to clean so I have never used it. What about with a pipe cleaner? > [@seodoa](#): > > Or, even better, reusable metal straws? They’re not metal, but if you do a Google search for “reusable drinking straws” you’ll turn up lots of results. Party-supply stores (and party supply aisles in variety stores) often sell them in pretty colors for children. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/27 "2008-12-15T11:51:45Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I also until recently had no idea that the little stirrers that come with cocktails weren’t meant to be straws. Apparently it’s sort of endearing that I drink out of them. I just think it’s neater because I invariably pour liquid on myself when I drink out of a cup straight. You are not alone at all; lots of people drink out of cocktail stirring straws, although admittedly they are in the minority. But since I work behind a bar, I witness it frequently. People who do drink out of them, though, generally prefer two. Re: the OP, I drink out of a straw if it’s given to me. Which is in restaurants and bars. I also have a stash at home that I use only when I’m having a mixed drink at home. I like the jaunty splash of color that bendy-straws give to a beverage. Plus then I know which one is mine. I am almost always the lime-green straw, btw. Get away from my lime-green straw! Soda, water, and juice are never given a straw at home. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/28 "2008-12-15T14:50:58Z")
Abso-frickin-lutely yay on straws. I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t stand the idea of my lips touching a glass that some stranger has used previously. Yeh, yeh, I know – if the glass is dirty, the straw doesn’t change anything, but it’s one of my issues. My husband refuses to use a straw, and it makes me cringe to watch him drink at a restaurant. Coincidentally, I cannot allow my straw to leave the table. If the server takes the glass to go get a refill, I always remove the straw first. If they grab it before I can rescue my straw, I have to have a new one. Yeh, I have issues. It doesn’t hurt anyone but me, so save your judgment 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/29 "2008-12-15T15:20:57Z")
I use them in restaurants and at home (unless I’m drinking water at home). Even if I’m drinking soda from a can, I use a straw. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/30 "2008-12-15T16:52:21Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I also until recently had no idea that the little stirrers that come with cocktails weren’t meant to be straws. Apparently it’s sort of endearing that I drink out of them. I just think it’s neater because I invariably pour liquid on myself when I drink out of a cup straight. Really? Man! I love using those straws because I’ll often have a nice lipstick or lip gloss on, and it’s great to not have to fuck it up when drinking. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/31 "2008-12-15T17:02:59Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > I always use them. I’ve heard that it’s a bit more feminine to use a straw (I’m a man) but damn that convention. I used to get shit for using a straw in my younger bar-going days. “Guys don’t use straws.” Whatever. I proudly used a straw and laughed at guys who admonished me otherwise. Those tiny little stir-stick straws? I’ll use those. What’s amusing is when it really is a stir stick and I give myself a hernia trying to suck liquid through one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/32 "2008-12-15T18:41:48Z")
Yes on straws. I hate ice but it seems to be the default setting so the straw prevents me from being hit in the face with it. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/33 "2008-12-15T19:12:18Z")
The only time I ever use a straw is when I’m travelling and get a drink in a cup. If it’s a bottle, no straw. ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc29f/32.png) [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/34 "2008-12-15T20:38:07Z")
Absolutely. Because of the ice thing, and because glasses in some restaurants don’t get fully washed and you can see lipstick remnants leftover from previous people (eeuuhh). ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/35 "2008-12-15T22:45:41Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > What about with a pipe cleaner? All I can say to that is :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/36 "2008-12-15T22:48:39Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > Yea for straws. > > My dentist recommended I use them when drinking anything acidic or sugary. > > On a side note: I have an antique hand made glass straw that would be a bugger to clean so I have never used it. Same here. I always use a straw when drinking any kind of juice or dark soda to avoid damaging/staining my teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/37 "2008-12-15T22:52:10Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Really? Man! I love using those straws because I’ll often have a nice lipstick or lip gloss on, and it’s great to not have to fuck it up when drinking. Yeah, that’s another good reason for them. 🙂 Glad I’m not the only one! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/38 "2008-12-15T22:57:00Z")
Count me as someone that uses them when they’re provided. I’ve heard that it’s better for your teeth in the long run (don’t know if that’s true). Reminds me of a fun Demetri Martin bit where he’s discussing how straws are always trying to make you look foolish by moving away from your mouth when you go for a drink… It ends with him pulling the straw aside for a talk… “I don’t need you…You’re a luxury.” ---
**Author:** ![Sedona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sedona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sedona)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/39 "2008-12-16T05:36:16Z")
I always use straws. I wear red lipstick just about everyday so anything that decreases smear when I’m out eating is my friend. Unless I’m at work. The owner of the hotel/pub where I work, despite being one one of the richest men in town, has been known to collect all the used straws from the pub at the end of the night, bunch them together, run them through the dishwasher, and put them out again. I’ve never been able to bring myself to drink from a straw there, even if it looks…fresh. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125/40 "2008-12-16T07:47:28Z")
I always use them at restaurants, and even sometimes at home. When I get coffee in acup with a lid, i always use one of those stir things as a straw. I’m afraid the lid will fall off while im drinking it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straws-or-no/477125.md?page=3)