Buffet line etiquette?

Change the tongs? Shouldn't they change the food? What good do new tongs do?

I've seen the tongs get so greasy and slimy with food that people lick their fingers after using the tongs.:*

Then go and use the next tongs!

I've seen the tongs get so greasy and slimy with food that people lick their fingers after using the tongs.:*

Then go and use the next tongs!

And of course they have to lick their fingers after they taste what they just put on their plate because they are too damn hungry to wait until they get back to the table where they can use a fork.

I'm not sure if you're trolling, but if I ever saw someone licking their fingers then touching the tongs I wouldn't say anything, because it's not worth it. I assume the tongs are dirty anyway so seeing how they got dirty isn't really a big deal.

 

I don't think it's improper (but probably poor etiquette) to use a napkin or gloves to touch the tongs, but it is certainly weird.

 

I don't think you're overly concerned with germs, but you are more concerned than most.

I think that you have your answer. :rolleyes:

Thank you. You answered my questions and concern.

 

OK. I will do as the Romans do. I won't worry or be overly concerned about sticky serving tongs in the buffet line. And I'll sample my food, as others do, on my plate with my fingers as I wait to go down to the next food station. Since it seems to be no big deal. I get real hungry fast.

 

BTW, FWIW, I don't ever wash my hands with soap after doing my business in the men's room, because I've read soap doesn't do anything anyway, I do my thing and empty out before going through the buffet line. That way I can eat more. ;)

 

So, mind if i dig into your popcorn and get me a handful? ;p

 

Enjoy your cruise. See you in the buffet line.

This is the exact reason why I refuse to eat at the buffet unless I am being served by the attendant (like on Holland America or Oceania). People picking food with their fingers is totally classless and disgusting.

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There are no pepper shakers on RCI vessels. They disappeared long ago...

We had pepper shakers in the MDR and buffet on our last cruise. Also had pepper grinders in the MDR.

Not in the MDR or buffet on our last cruise. Also had pepper grinders in the MDR.

But there are pepper grinders.

But there are pepper grinders.

I have no idea why I posted we didn't have pepper shakers and grinders in my last post. We had both in the MDR and buffet. I guess my brain and fingers weren't linked. I corrected my brain fart post(#44). DUH!:o

I am no longer worried about gaining weight on my cruise!

I am no longer worried about gaining weight on my cruise!

You do NOT have to eat in the buffet, there are other options.

If you are concerned with people making the tongs dirty, you can always bring some hand wipes and use them once you have taken your plate back to the table. I will say that in all of my cruises I have never seen anyone lick their fingers and then handle the tongs. I don't think it's common. I do try to use the tongs with my right hand and then use my left hand to eat the rolls.

I got sick many years ago after going to a casino and eating at the buffet. When I go to a land-based buffet, I always use hand wipes after getting my food. On a cruise, the staff usually makes everyone use hand sanitizer at the entrance. RCL is better about doing it than Carnival. I know that doesn't affect a person licking their fingers, but I really don't think it's enough of an issue to worry about.

Please recall, everyone, that the Purell that RCCI provides does NOT kill the virulent norovirus that everyone is so concerned about. Y'all scream and shout about hand hygiene, yet do nothing to encourage the company to purchase hand sanitizers that can actually do something to eradicate the problem.

If you're that concerned, rather than wear gloves, I recommend you go wash your hands before actually eating, after gathering the food.

Time for another ruckus discussion:

How about people who take their dirty plate back to the buffet for more food instead of getting a clean plate! :')

Please recall, everyone, that the Purell that RCCI provides does NOT kill the virulent norovirus that everyone is so concerned about. Y'all scream and shout about hand hygiene, yet do nothing to encourage the company to purchase hand sanitizers that can actually do something to eradicate the problem.

I did a Google search and found a few hand sanitizers that kill stomach flu viruses (including norovirus):

Clorox Hand Sanitizing Spray, Zylast Antiseptic, Germstar Noro and GFS BioProtect

It might be a good idea to carry one with you.

How about people who take their dirty plate back to the buffet for more food instead of getting a clean plate! :')

I've actually never seen that. I think most people know that the plentiful pile of clean plates at each station means to take a new on each time.

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I've actually never seen that. I think most people know that the plentiful pile of clean plates at each station means to take a new on each time.

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It doesn't happen often, but I have seen it.

Time for another ruckus discussion:

How about people who take their dirty plate back to the buffet for more food instead of getting a clean plate! :')

This is a pet peeve of mine :loudcry:.....Unfortunately I've seen it way too often onboard....Come on people have you never eaten in a buffet before :eek::eek::eek:

Hey, we're not all hopeless at queuing. The British are really good at it. :D

I am British [emoji23] I was being tongue in cheek [emoji23]

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I am British [emoji23] I was being tongue in cheek [emoji23]

 

 

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Sorry, missed that. Pass me the popcorn, please.

Sorry, missed that. Pass me the popcorn, please.

Have washed your hands??;p

You can be the richest or the poorest person in the world but good manners cost you nothing.

I am thinking of taking a first time cruise on a RCCL ship. :)

 

I saw in an online video of Brilliance of The Seas buffet stations are mostly self service. In otherwords, PAX help themselves to the prepared foods at the various food stations.

 

I have on some cruises, noticed in buffet lines some PAX pick up food, put it on their plates, then use their fingers to eat what's on their plate whilst going to the next food station, and handling the serving utensils.:eek:

 

Fortunately, I have never gotten a food born illness on cruises with Princess and Celebrity because I ask the buffet line staff to place the food on my plate, and I seldom need to pick up the serving utensils.

 

So my questions are:

 

So, I'm just curious, do you say something to PAXs in front of you who nibbles food with their fingers off their plate, and then handles the next serving utensils in the buffet line? Or just keep quiet?

 

 

Is it improper and poor etiquette for one to use a napkin, or disposable glove to pick up the serving utensils?

 

 

And, am I overly concerned about getting someone's germs in the buffet line?:confused:

 

Thanks you.

Thank goodness I have never witnessed that specific behavior. Once on a 14 night cruise.....I had seen enough by day 12. There were a large number of Europeans on this particular sailing. So for 12 days I witnessed NUMEROUS people just picking up food with their hands ! On day 12 when I saw it, I couldn't take it any longer! So in the middle of WJ, I very loudly (but not shouting) said "Tongs people! Tongs!" Mr. Ski grabbed me and said "Good thing we only have 2 days left or you will be in the brig!"

While it doesn't help with people touching food with their hands in the serving dishes.....I ALWAYS carry hand sanitizer and use it after going through the buffet and before touching my utensils. If I use salt/pepper or a bottle/package condiment, etc I sanitize my hands again after touching them. (I keep the sanitizer on the table during the meal!)

There were a large number of Europeans on this particular sailing.

So, people who aren't European can't be disgusting in a buffet queue?

The OP doesn´t need the gloves to pick up the tongs. The OP needs the gloves to eat his food. So it´s not offensive to anyone and OP knows the gloves are clean for taking in the food:p

I am thinking of taking a first time cruise on a RCCL ship. :)

 

I saw in an online video of Brilliance of The Seas buffet stations are mostly self service. In otherwords, PAX help themselves to the prepared foods at the various food stations.

 

I have on some cruises, noticed in buffet lines some PAX pick up food, put it on their plates, then use their fingers to eat what's on their plate whilst going to the next food station, and handling the serving utensils.:eek:

 

Fortunately, I have never gotten a food born illness on cruises with Princess and Celebrity because I ask the buffet line staff to place the food on my plate, and I seldom need to pick up the serving utensils.

 

So my questions are:

 

So, I'm just curious, do you say something to PAXs in front of you who nibbles food with their fingers off their plate, and then handles the next serving utensils in the buffet line? Or just keep quiet?

 

 

Is it improper and poor etiquette for one to use a napkin, or disposable glove to pick up the serving utensils?

 

 

And, am I overly concerned about getting someone's germs in the buffet line?:confused:

 

Thanks you.

Well, you have many options for deciding where to eat, so if you are concerned, I would avoid the buffet.

I'm one of those people that grew up, drinking water out of water hoses and drink fountains, playing outside, and eating without washing my hands after making mud pies. So I eat in buffets.