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Original poster

Licking dinner plates

189 replies

Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 14:03

Recently my 8 year old has started licking her dinner plate when she's finished. Whilst I appreciate it when she says it's because it was delicious, I've told her not to do it as it's yucky and bad manners.
Dh thinks I'm being harsh on her for getting cross with her

Aibu to not want my child to think it's ok to lick plates after finishing their food?!

OP posts:
aperolspritzbasicbitch · 10/09/2026 15:12

No, YANBU.

table manners are so important.

licking plates should not happen unless you are at home alone and walking an empty plate of something incredibly tasty to the sink

Original poster
Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 15:11

Fidgety31 · 10/09/2026 14:56

How have she got to 8 and not been taught table manners yet ? Seriously ?!

Is she allowed to eat with her mouth open too . Grim.

??

She has been taught table manners, has always ate really well, it's a very recent thing as I said and no idea why

OP posts:
ginasevern · 10/09/2026 15:09

I used to work with a woman then aged about 27 who did this. Her table manners in general were just about passable but then she'd pick up her plate, hold it to her face and slobber all over it, complete with licking noises - like a dog. Nobody wanted to be anywhere near her if there was an office social and a lot of colleagues would laugh behind her back. It was so sad because she was really nice. Your daughter doesn't want to be in that position does she. So tell your husband he's not doing her any favours at all and he's being stupid.

Greyhound98 · 10/09/2026 15:09

Of course she shouldn’t be licking the plate, she’s not an animal!
If she was a boy some woman would be complaining about him in 30 years time about having no table manners.

Original poster
Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 15:08

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 10/09/2026 14:30

I don’t understand why you have even got to this stage where you’ve allowed her to do it. Say no and if she does it again jump up and get the plate off her..

It's a very recent thing, just started doing it a couple of times and no idea why, I was shocked

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 10/09/2026 15:08

Plate licking is disgusting. I remember as a teen having a meal with my boyfriend‘s family (first time) and at the end they all started licking their plates. I was gobsmacked and the ick descended instantly. Do her a favour and teach her not to!

Womanofcustard · 10/09/2026 15:07

Many years ago I was invited to dinner with some very upper-middle class people. At the end they all licked their plates.
I asked if I was allowed to follow suit - yes!
I would normally use a piece of bread.

Original poster
Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 15:07

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:30

But WHY is it gross?

At 8 she's old enough to understand there's different rules at home from when you're out and assuming you make sure she knows it's a 'with family at home' only thing, what is the issue?

Tbh I just don't like it at home either, it seems gross. I'm pretty laid back, but don't like it

OP posts:
Original poster
Endlessblueskieswhatsnottolove · 10/09/2026 15:05

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:16

Yes, what exactly is the issue with doing this in your own home?

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It doesn't look nice and doesn't create good habits

OP posts:
godmum56 · 10/09/2026 14:58

two things here. No she should not be licking her plate but no you should not be getting cross with her. Surely there are other ways to deal with it without getting cross?

Fidgety31 · 10/09/2026 14:56

How have she got to 8 and not been taught table manners yet ? Seriously ?!

Is she allowed to eat with her mouth open too . Grim.

Cherrytree86 · 10/09/2026 14:50

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:36

Jump up and get the plate off her? Way to traumatise the poor girl...

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@Bez72

do you actually know the meaning of the word ‘trauma’? I suspect not because you’re using it wrongly here.

Usernamesarenoteasy · 10/09/2026 14:49

I know it's bad manners to lick a plate.

My children know it's bad manners to lick a plate.

Does that mean I've never done it in the privacy of my own home? Of course it doesn't.

Cherrytree86 · 10/09/2026 14:48

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:06

Can't see any problem with it myself!
Why shouldn't she?
If you really have a problem with it, give her a bit of bread to wipe her plate with, or is that wrong too?

@Bez72

its really bad manners! No one wants to see that at the dinner table.

Saltysweetspicy · 10/09/2026 14:47

I wouldn't care if my DC did this at home, I would just make sure they knew not to do it out in public or at someone else's house. A bit like clipping toenails I suppose.

Floppyearedlab · 10/09/2026 14:39

Revolting manners.
Your husband is clearly a pig and is happy for his kid to grow up as one too.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/09/2026 14:37

I agree with those saying to give her a piece of bread to mop up any left over sauce from the meal (which is presumably what’s she’s licking off the plate?)

It is bad manners to lick the plate and children do need to learn this

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:36

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 10/09/2026 14:30

I don’t understand why you have even got to this stage where you’ve allowed her to do it. Say no and if she does it again jump up and get the plate off her..

Jump up and get the plate off her? Way to traumatise the poor girl...

AquamarinePearlGold · 10/09/2026 14:32

Of course you aren’t being unreasonable.

Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink · 10/09/2026 14:30

I don’t understand why you have even got to this stage where you’ve allowed her to do it. Say no and if she does it again jump up and get the plate off her..

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:30

But WHY is it gross?

At 8 she's old enough to understand there's different rules at home from when you're out and assuming you make sure she knows it's a 'with family at home' only thing, what is the issue?

Whosthetabbynow · 10/09/2026 14:29

LadyHexham · 10/09/2026 14:18

YANBU
Table manners are a life skill

Indeed as are all manners sadly lacking in the UK now

Millytante · 10/09/2026 14:29

Bez72 · 10/09/2026 14:16

Yes, what exactly is the issue with doing this in your own home?

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If you must.
But not in view of a child, who will of course infer that this is how it’s done.
(If you do it in front of other adults, I must assume you are all part of some particularly odd supper club.)

wishingonastar101 · 10/09/2026 14:28

Nope, absolutely gross. I would put it on the floor for her if she wants to lick it.. next to the cat bowls.

UnderMirkwood · 10/09/2026 14:27

CaptainMyCaptain · 10/09/2026 14:22

I was going to say this. Be more French.

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I love this statement. I definitely want to Be more French.

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