Does this gross anyone else out? [Archive] - CookingLight.com Community

Delanl

07-28-2004, 02:47 PM

A few weeks ago, a VERY good friend of mine had me & DBF over for dinner. The food,drinks, conversation-everything was great. UNTIL...upon us finishing, she proceeded to clear the dishes off the table and put them on the floor for her rottweiler to "clean".

Ugh!! I mean, I know dog's mouths are supposed to be cleaner than humans, but C'MON!!! Couldn't you just scrape it off into the dog's bowl?!!

The real dilemma is that she's invited us over again and due to this I am a little hesitant. Am I just being silly? Or does this urk anyone else?

jellyben

07-28-2004, 02:49 PM

Oh that's wierd. I remember when we had dogs I would scrape the plates into their bowls, but I never actually gave them the plate! I don't know if it would dissuade me from going to her house, but it certainly gives me the icks.

KristinK

07-28-2004, 02:52 PM

It doesn't really bother me. I mean, if I trust the dishwasher to clean raw chicken juices, then I can certainly trust it to clean dog saliva! :p

Although I wouldn't do it around company.

funniegrrl

07-28-2004, 02:56 PM

Some people get absolutely freaked out about this. Other people think it's completely normal and sane -- it's actually a quite common practice.

When I was a kid, we let the dogs lick plates clean. I guess if I were home alone I would, but with company around, I wouldn't ... because some people get absolutely freaked out about it.

RunnerKim

07-28-2004, 02:57 PM

While i don't put my dinner dishes on the floor for my dog to lick out, my dog often gets the mixer bowl to clean up (daughter or DH get the spatula and beater). And I know lots of people who let their cats finish off their cereal milk or ice cream.

I'm assuming she washes the dishes afterwards, so I'd be okay with it, but personally wouldn't do it in front of company.

Kim

tamawrite

07-28-2004, 02:58 PM

I'm with Kristen -- I wouldn't do it with company around (or without!) but it doesn't gross me out. The dishwasher should steralize them.

Escher

07-28-2004, 03:00 PM

Ettiquette wise, I'd be horrified.

But, I'm not big on ettiquette, so personally, I'd just pray real hard they put extra soap in their dishwasher, and roll with it.

Robyn1007

07-28-2004, 04:47 PM

Okay, I'm not saying this is why your friend did this but it reminded me of a story. When I was a kid some family friends suddenly started arriving EVERY night for dinner without invitation. My family was definately not made of money and couldn't afford to feed them like that. Finally, just to scare them off my mom put the dishes on the floor for the dog to lick off and then, while they were watching, put them away in the cupboard. Of course when they left that night everything came out and went through the dishwasher. Funny, they never came back for dinner. :p :D

Robyn

Linda in MO

07-28-2004, 06:37 PM

Oh that's hilarious, Robyn!

I'm with the others...I wouldn't do it in front of company and I definitely wash the dishes in the dishwasher. Does your friend have a dishwasher?

MrsReber

07-29-2004, 04:41 AM

Wow, I'd never do that in front of company! I actually never did that at all unless I was using paper plates! DH, when I first met him, would let his huge lab "clean up". I was a bit grossed out by that. But then I figure, it certainly won't kill me or anything, it's just kind of disgusting. Sometimes in life, we are better off not knowing things!

Delanl

07-29-2004, 06:26 AM

Yeah, I guess y'all are right. Its not that bad, she does have a dishwasher!:D

I think what urked me is that she would do that in front of guests--but maybe since we've been friends for so long I'm not really considered a "guest" anymore!:)

So, tomorrow night I'm there!! Dog licked plates and everything!! he hee.:p

rosie_one

07-29-2004, 07:08 AM

You aren't alone. We have friends who regularly let their dog lick the plates clean and it is kind of gross.

We decided we liked their company enough to turn a blind eye to this practice. However, beyond the gross out factor I think it isn't that great for the dog (she is quite overweight). I definitely know cereal milk is bad for cats. Despite popular fiction, milk actually gives cats the runs. ew. Unless they are dairy barn kitties, it's not a good idea.

Robyn, your story is cute. :D Clever.

HejazSunKat

07-29-2004, 07:47 AM

I do think this is gross...REALLY gross. If I went to somebody's house for dinner and they did that in front of me it would be the LAST time I ever ate there.

Kayaksoup

07-29-2004, 08:08 AM

I have to say, if I was having a dinner with close friends, it wouldn't bother me. But I am pretty laid-back that way. Our friends are more like our family.
If, on the other hand, I was at someones house that I didn't know too well, I might think it a little odd.
No grossout here.
editing to add:
As long as the dishes got washed after:D
Linda

Jazzmatazz49

07-29-2004, 10:31 AM

Some people get absolutely freaked out about this. Other people think it's completely normal and sane -- it's actually a quite common practice.

You're kidding, right? This is common? GACK!!!

Wendy w

07-29-2004, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by HejazSunKat
I do think this is gross...REALLY gross. If I went to somebody's house for dinner and they did that in front of me it would be the LAST time I ever ate there.

Same here. I am a believer that pets are family, but I wouldn't want to see any of my family members licking the dishes either.

tamawrite

07-29-2004, 10:49 AM

For our mutual enlightenment, here are a couple links I found on the subject of whether or not dogs' mouths really are cleaner than humans':

One opinion (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmouth.html)

and another opinion (http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/dogmouth.html)

Hmm.

buffygirl

07-29-2004, 11:31 AM

Clover

07-29-2004, 11:40 AM

After dinner plate-licking by the dogs doesn't gross me out as long as the plates are washed afterward and not put straight into the cupboard.

What makes me think "eww, eeww, eewww" is when the host forces us all to hold hands around the table before eating. I know I'm supposed to be getting a warm, fuzzy feeling, but all I can think of is all the germs there are on people's hands. I want to immediately get up and wash my hands before I start eating, but I think my hand-holders on either side would take it as an insult, so I just grin and bear it. It's not too bad as long as there's no finger food.

tamawrite

07-29-2004, 11:48 AM

Gotta agree, Clover. Especially if I end up holding hands with a 5 year old who didn't wash his/her hands first!

patissac

07-29-2004, 12:04 PM

oh no no no thats gross. I love my two furry babies but couldn't imagine letting them lick the plates. I'd scrape off the plates into their dog food bowls if anything...now come to think of it I have not done that in a really long time. You did have me laughing though about what your mom did to get rid of your unwanted guests, I would have never thought of that!

Magix

07-30-2004, 10:51 AM

Seriously? This bothers people? We do it all the time, regardless of who might be coming for dinner.

To anyone who has an issue with it - are you implying that conventional methods (manual or machine) of washing dishes are insufficient, such that you're concerned about residue? If so, why would you assume you are able to wash off FOOD residue, especially from uncooked meat? Or odorous residues such as onion and garlic?

I still laugh - we had a UPS driver who used to stop at our business on a regular basis. Our dog always comes to work with us, and sleeps under one of the desks. The UPS guy became so friendly with our dog, he would stop by our place even if he had no deliveries, just to see the dog. Well, one time when he came in to see our dog, he (the UPS guy) was sucking on a big lollipop. He leaned down to pet our dog, popped the lollipop out of his mouth and offered it to the dog. The dog took a bunch of licks, the guy stood up and put the lollipop right back in his own mouth, and left. Now THAT I think I would draw the line at, but then again I don't think I would even share a lollipop with my husband! :D

HejazSunKat

07-30-2004, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by Magix
Seriously? This bothers people?

Amazingly enough - Yes! It does! It never occurred to me that anybody would THINK of doing this and after reading this thread I'm going to have to start asking people who invite me to their house for dinner if they let their pets lick the dishes before I accept an invitation. I find it revolting.

bobmark226

07-30-2004, 11:28 AM

Color me gross.

(and who asked you for dinner anyway, Linda?)

BOB

Kayaksoup

07-30-2004, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by bobmark226
Color me gross.

BOB
LOL
me too, I guess. Honestly, I don't get it. More disgusting things than animals' tongues come into contact with dishes. It all comes out in the wash.....

MrsReber

07-30-2004, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Kayaksoup

More disgusting things than animals' tongues come into contact with dishes. It all comes out in the wash.....

sorry, but I found this really amusing. Guess the imagination runs wild on Friday afternoon at work :D !

Kayaksoup

07-30-2004, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by MrsReber

sorry, but I found this really amusing. Guess the imagination runs wild on Friday afternoon at work :D !
You know, I thought about rewording... Then I thought "Nah, very few minds work like mine...":p Should have known better...

HejazSunKat

07-30-2004, 11:46 AM

Clearly we'll have to call this one a draw kids because I can't understand why you find nothing wrong with this any more than you can see why I'm horrified...and for the record I'm not a pet hating meanie either. I love animals, I've owned pets and will probably do so again some day.

Magix

07-30-2004, 03:10 PM

OK, truce. :)

(BTW, have you ever tasted dog biscuits? Sorta bland, in case you're interested. ;)

AndreaU

07-30-2004, 03:38 PM

I don't think it's appropriate for people to give the dishes to the dogs in front of company. HOWEVER, my dog has been known to stick her little doggie lips (and big doggie tongue) in the dishwasher as I'm loading it... then I do wash the dishes- hot water, soap and all! So I guess my answer is, it doesn't totally gross me out but it definitely breaches some ettiquette code. Emily Post must have rolled over in her grave when that happened!

Originally posted by Magix
(BTW, have you ever tasted dog biscuits? Sorta bland, in case you're interested. ;)

Yeah, I noticed that, too. :o :rolleyes: :p They sound tasty with all that peanut butter, carob, etc. Oh well.

Gilgamesh37

07-30-2004, 03:44 PM

Actually, this thread reminded me of a Dear Abby column from years ago--a woman went to dinner at a friend's house, friend owned a cat. In the middle of dinner, cat jumped up on table. Friend took serving spoon out of dish on table, bopped cat on the head with it while telling her to get down, and then turned and offered more of dish to guest (using same spoon). Guest horrified.

(FTR, I've never had dogs. When I had my cats, they did not get to lick the dinner dishes. Occasionally, however, when I was alone, I would let them eat off my spoon. usually the sauce from Chef Boyardee ravioli, which one cat particularly liked. But clearly that was an action I had decided I was okay with, and not one to which I would subject anyone else.)

Magix

07-30-2004, 09:40 PM

Because I think this thread is kind of amusing, let me put one more thing out there for consideration...

Dog (or cat) saliva is not much/any different from human saliva. Did you ever stop to think about the silverware you use in restaurants? It's had thousands of people's saliva on it during its lifetime, but the restaurant washes it (we hope), and the next user blithely puts it in their mouth.

Any difference? Personally, I don't think so.

123Alice

07-30-2004, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by Magix
Because I think this thread is kind of amusing, let me put one more thing out there for consideration...

Dog (or cat) saliva is not much/any different from human saliva. Did you ever stop to think about the silverware you use in restaurants? It's had thousands of people's saliva on it during its lifetime, but the restaurant washes it (we hope), and the next user blithely puts it in their mouth.

Any difference? Personally, I don't think so.

wow, that's funny (or not). I never once gave a thought to silverware at restaurants, but I will from now on. And, for the record, our dog occasionally licks our plates (not in front of company) and that doesn't bug me at all.

Editing to say: I didn't make this clear in original post....it honestly bothers me more to share my silverware with randomn people at a restaurant than sharing my plate with my dog....then again, I'm not really worried about either as long as I trust the dishwasher! :)