Is There a Polite Way to Say This?

[Lokip53]

Mostly when the tables are given a quick wipe down it is to get rid of obvious soilage. It does nothing to really clean them. What we have started doing, which I learned from someone who we shared a Windjammer table with many years ago, is to take the green napkins and use them as a place mat or small table cloth. Nothing we use for containing our food or utensils actually touch the table.

 

This is a great idea-- consider it stolen!!

[ebk2795]

My pet peeve is people who sit their child down on a counter top or table - especially a surface on which food will be put. I see this a lot in fast food restaurants. The adult comes in carrying a child and sets the child down on the counter while placing the order. If that kid has a poopy diaper, or has an accident while sitting on the counter, all I can say is ewwww!

 

Eileen

[wwcruisers]

One of my pet peeves is the fact that restaurants go to some length to make sure the tables are wiped properly and dishes and silverware are clean. Not once have I ever seen a restaurant employee wipe off the salt & pepper shakers.

 

There's no fixing stupid. Not even with duct tape.

 

Cathy

 

Good point -- and, while they're at it -- how about those menus that everyone else has touched?

[LuvWilliam]

It totally disgusts me... I wash my hands before I get to the Windjammer then have antibacterial wipes that I use after I sit down. I'm so surprised that everyone doesn't get sick!

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

I have gotten to the point where I really have no issue looking at someone and asking them if they really have to lick their fingers? I figure if they are going to be so gross and inconsiderate then why should I feel awkward about speaking up.

 

Exactly, I agree. It's disgusting.

 

Hi :)

[cruzincurt]

What I can't stand is when the server brings a cup or glass to the table with their fingers holding the upper rim where they expected me to put my lips. Otherwise, I always handle the salt & pepper shaker with a napkin. The local University did a study finding they (the condiments) are the worst.:eek:

[BeachChik]

If I worried about germs in restaurants I would never go out to eat. I don't really worry about it. I do some things like never let my silverware touch the table but the reality is you come into contact with germs on everything you touch. Do you touch the chair to pull it out when you sit down? I'm sure it has germs on it as when do restaurants wipe these down. You can't live in a bubble worrying about every little germ you might come into contact with. IMO that's why people are always sick. People are obsessed with hand sanitizer. Some germs are good for you and help build up your immune system. Washing your hands regularly is all you need to do.

Edited November 10, 2013 by BeachChik

[sauvichick]

I was sailing on a weekend cruise after Norovirus had visited the previous week. It was sooo wonderful to see no one touching anything at the buffet except the crew. I couldn't even take a banana. You were not allowed to serve yourself and this is my kind of buffet!!! The only thing you were allowed to do is open your sugar packets for coffee. It was very strange to have someone make my coffee! I do get freaked out when people eat, sneeze, cough, touch their face while on line. So that is why I hate buffets. I am also one of those people that wipes down anything in the cabin that has been touched by previous occupants...remote, phone, doorknobs, handle...but I am sure you all knew that:D

[Ocean Boy]

Exactly, I agree. It's disgusting.

 

Hi :)

 

Hi right back at you! How are things? When is the next sailing??:)

[Lokip53]

If I worried about germs in restaurants I would never go out to eat. I don't really worry about it. I do some things like never let my silverware touch the table but the reality is you come into contact with germs on everything you touch. Do you touch the chair to pull it out when you sit down? I'm sure it has germs on it as when do restaurants wipe these down. You can't live in a bubble worrying about every little germ you might come into contact with. IMO that's why people are always sick. People are obsessed with hand sanitizer. Some germs are good for you and help build up your immune system. Washing your hands regularly is all you need to do.

 

I agree with this. I'm not an obsess-over-germs kind of person-- actually quite the contrary: I'm the guy who grossed his wife out when he ate a dropped pineapple slice off the floor of cabin 8565 (although I do partially blame that indiscretion on Rum Swizzle). Clearly, I'm not a germaphobe. :D

 

I hate hand sanitizer and don't bother with it onboard as it doesn't kill noro anyway. I rely on good old fashioned hand washing and then endeavor to keep my germs to myself by following basic buffet etiquette.

 

I usually roll the dice and let my immune system do its job. My concern on a cruise ship is that other people's poor and rude habits have the potential to get me ill enough to ruin my vacation. That's why I find it so irritating on a cruise ship.

[Maryscooking]

I'm not a germaphobe, and generally believe that maintaining a healthy immune system is a much more effective defense than trying to sanitize every surface I touch before I touch it (countertops, railings, door handles, money, items in the gift shops - it could drive a person mad really!).

 

That said, at the ship's buffet in June, the person right next to me in line reached in, grabbed food with their hand, and then shoved it straight in their mouth. And my internal filter abandoned me (wouldn't have anything to do with the rum and cokes I'd been enjoying on the pool deck, nope, not at all :D) and before I could stop myself, I said "OH YUCK!" just about as loud as you can imagine.

 

The person looked at me with evil eyes and walked very quickly away. So I guess I got my message across! :cool:

[GregandDenise]

Talk to (most) anyone that has taken microbiology, and there is no comparison between cultures from anywhere in a restroom and the serving utensils on a buffet. The utensils are warm, moist and have plenty of nutrition for bacteria to thrive.

I go through the buffet line with the "clean hand, dirty hand" technique

I hold my plate with my clean (eating) hand and use my left hand as my "dirty" hand to handle all shared buffet utensils.

[skiiergirl]

As I've mentioned in other recent posts, I'm a generally happy, roll with the punches, glass is half full kind of guy.

 

But there was one thing on our last few cruises that was really driving me crazy (and I saw it numerous times on my cruise last week)-- the seemingly complete ignorance by a small but noticeable percentage of cruise passengers of the fact that it's not acceptable to shove your hands in your mouth and/or lick your fingers immediately before grabbing a serving utensil in the Windjammer.

 

Seriously people?? Are you THAT hungry that you just had to jam that pastry/ piece of bacon/etc in your mouth? Are you going to run out of energy during the 30 foot walk to your table?

 

And are you so rushed that you couldn't unfold the green cloth napkin that is IN YOUR HAND as opposed to engaging in an oral act with your finger that would get you an NC-17 rating if it were filmed??

 

It absolutely blows my mind. It's amazing that there aren't more illness outbreaks on cruise ships.

 

That's all. Just a little conversation starter/venting session.

 

I feel better already... :)

 

 

About 6 years ago we were on a 14 or 15 night cruise. The whole trip people were reaching with their hands to get things off of the buffet. Day 12 I had had enough. I am in WJ very loudly (not quite yelling...but very loudly) saying "tongs, people, tongs! " mr Ski escorted me to the able and said it was a good thing the trip was almost over be ause I would probably Get us kicked off the ship.

[crzndeb]

About 6 years ago we were on a 14 or 15 night cruise. The whole trip people were reaching with their hands to get things off of the buffet. Day 12 I had had enough. I am in WJ very loudly (not quite yelling...but very loudly) saying "tongs, people, tongs! " mr Ski escorted me to the able and said it was a good thing the trip was almost over be ause I would probably Get us kicked off the ship.

 

But what is better? Touching tongs that hundreds have touched (not knowing where their hands have been), or carefully grabbing something, making sure not to touch anything around it?

 

Personally, I always use tongs, but they aren't really the most sanitary.

 

Pretty soon, everybody will have to wear plastic gloves while going through the buffet line.

[buttrfly78]

On some days, I even use napkins to handle the serving utensils. I'm so grossed out by buffets and people licking their fingers. So disgusting! Noro may not be suceptible to an alcohol based sanitizer but most bacteria are, so please use the sanitizer.

[Scrapnana]

There is a thread on the Cunard forum about how a woman was called rude because she spoke to another passenger who had picked up a plate at the buffet, put the palm of her hand on the plate, (she wanted to see how warm it was), and then put the plate back into the stack of clean plates.

 

What is with these people? Were they raised with no manners?

[Merion_Mom]

While I do not appreciate the unsanitary habits of others, I do not let them overwhelm my own sense of well-being.

 

Probably since my parents did not coddle me as a baby, toddler, child or teen, with no rushing over of: "No, no, don't put that in your mouth!", I have grown up with an excellent immune system. (I will also note here that not being formula-fed was also a plus; see how I avoided using bad, offensive language? ;))

 

Have common sense, and enjoy yourself.

 

Obsessing over these things is, in my view, ridiculous and pointless.

 

Picking up salt & pepper shakers with a napkin?

 

Seriously?

 

Do a Michael Jackson. Wear gloves. Wear a mask.

 

But don't be surprised if people stare and point.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Merion_Mom

[pspercy]

If I worried about germs in restaurants I would never go out to eat. I don't really worry about it. I do some things like never let my silverware touch the table but the reality is you come into contact with germs on everything you touch. Do you touch the chair to pull it out when you sit down? I'm sure it has germs on it as when do restaurants wipe these down. You can't live in a bubble worrying about every little germ you might come into contact with. IMO that's why people are always sick. People are obsessed with hand sanitizer. Some germs are good for you and help build up your immune system. Washing your hands regularly is all you need to do.

 

Agreed.

In my working life I spent time in many third world venues (even fourth world if there is such a thing) and sometimes suffered the consequences but not very often. Basic hygiene practices and common sense (remember that?) go a long way and to this day I never take the top plate from the pile at a buffet, wherever it is. My "lunch bunch" guys noticed this and asked why, I told them the top plate is where the flies have landed :eek:

Edited November 10, 2013 by pspercy

[Tripper10]

If I worried about germs in restaurants I would never go out to eat. I don't really worry about it. I do some things like never let my silverware touch the table but the reality is you come into contact with germs on everything you touch. Do you touch the chair to pull it out when you sit down? I'm sure it has germs on it as when do restaurants wipe these down. You can't live in a bubble worrying about every little germ you might come into contact with. IMO that's why people are always sick. People are obsessed with hand sanitizer. Some germs are good for you and help build up your immune system. Washing your hands regularly is all you need to do.

 

This is exactly how I treat the situation. No offense, but people who go through all these over the top measure of sterilization are the ones getting sick all the time. Jmho.

[The_Big_M]

But what is better? Touching tongs that hundreds have touched (not knowing where their hands have been), or carefully grabbing something, making sure not to touch anything around it?

 

I'm with you on that. Taking a role, or Danish, with your hands without touching anything else is safer than grabbing a set of tongs, putting your 'germs' on them, and transferring others from them.

 

Commonsense...

[Gilgo Surfer]

I'm with you on that. Taking a role, or Danish, with your hands without touching anything else is safer than grabbing a set of tongs, putting your 'germs' on them, and transferring others from them.

 

Commonsense...

 

I was once scolded by a crew member when picking up a corndog by the stick for not using tongs. Unfortunately common sense is not very common these days.

[jc24cruiser]

Another vote here from some one not scared of a few germs! I don't sterilise everything I come into contact with, but I do have basic standards for myself that I also expect from others. I use the hand sanitizer going in and out of the Windjammer, MDR or any where else I spot them on the ship. This is not just to protect myself, as I understand that I do not want my germs spreading to others.

 

I do however have my own hand sanitizer that I use when I sit at the table (after touching all the utensils). But this does not stop the fact that people touch the food or place the utensils they have touched directly onto the food.

 

I have the same thoughts regarding my children, I want them to have an immune system that is strong enough to fight most things off. BUT I DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO DO BUFFETS THEMSELVES!

 

In regards to some one putting their full palm onto a plate to check if it was warm, although I said that I'm not scared of a few germs....I would not pick that plate up to eat from!

[The Viking]

But what is better? Touching tongs that hundreds have touched (not knowing where their hands have been), or carefully grabbing something, making sure not to touch anything around it?

 

Personally, I always use tongs, but they aren't really the most sanitary.

 

Pretty soon, everybody will have to wear plastic gloves while going through the buffet line.

 

I actualle bring glovez with me on every cruise and let people know about their unsanitary behavior.

[hollon]

These people are totally gross, their parents didn't raise them right, this is something you teach your child at a young age. But, if we say something to them, then "THEY" become the victim, and it's our fault.

[Irishwhiskey]

The buffets on ships should not be self service.To avoid cross contamination the use of tongs,spoons should not be used by the passengers.They end up in the food trays or land on the floor at some point.How many times have we seen someone pick up a roll look at it and put it back on the tray.Forget the sanitiser when you walk in,give eveyone gloves or have the crew serve the food.The less we can touch the better